The fourth-generation Highlander looks, feels, and drives in a very familiar way. It benefits from incremental improvements across the board and remains competitive in the three-row midsize SUV class. All told, it’s a smart choice for families looking for a do-it-all vehicle—but it is not a standout.
The smooth running, lively V6 engine serves up lots of power for passing or climbing hills. It’s paired with a responsive, smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid version feels less powerful but gets an impressive 35 mpg overall.
The Highlander’s ride is compliant and controlled. Handling is slightly more agile, and a touch more capable when pushed to its limits. The soft suspension allowed pronounced body roll when driving the Toyota on our track and through our accident-avoidance maneuver. Any Highlander customer that was happy with the old Highlander’s dynamics will be happy with the current one.
We like the high-end materials and subtle details in the nicely appointed cabin, but the interior doesn’t make a strong first impression until you get to the top Platinum trim.
The Highlander’s front seats are comfortable for many body types. Forward visibility is good but the view gets pinched toward the rear, a consequence of the styling.
The second-row bench seat provides good support and affords a lot of leg and elbow room. The seat slides fore and aft, and also reclines in two independent sections, enabling plenty of passenger and cargo flexibility. The third row is snug, low, and firm.
Toyota has stepped up its infotainment game by finally making Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility standard. The controls are easy to use.
The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite includes standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance. It also includes the convenience of adaptive cruise control. However, blind spot warning is not available on the base trim of the regular Highlander. It's standard on the Hybrid.