Toyota Highlander

Toyota Highlander at a glance

Generations

All generations are listed in the Toyota catalogue.

First generation (2000–2007)

The first Highlander, launched in Japan as the Kluger, used the K platform of the Camry and was closely related to the Lexus RX and Toyota Harrier. The base engine was the 2.4-litre 2AZ-FE four-cylinder with 116 kW (155 hp). The V6 was a 3.0-litre 1MZ-FE with 164 kW (220 hp) from 2001 to 2003, then a 3.3-litre 3MZ-FE with 172 kW (230 hp). From 2004 a third seat row was available, making the Highlander a seven-seater.

The Highlander Hybrid was unveiled at the 2004 Detroit show and went on sale in July 2005 as a 2006 model. It combined the 3.3 V6 with electric motors and was Toyota's first seven-seat hybrid. All-wheel-drive hybrids were rated to tow 1,600 kg (3,500 lb).

Second generation (2007–2013)

The second Highlander had the 3.5-litre 2GR-FE V6 with 201 kW (270 hp) and, from 2009, a 2.7-litre four-cylinder with 139 kW (187 hp). The 2.7 delivered 252 Nm. The hybrid of 2011 used a 3.5-litre 2GR-FXE V6 and delivered 183 kW (245 hp). With the towing package the petrol V6 could pull 5,000 lb, about 2,270 kg. The second generation was not sold in Japan. In North America the five-seat version was dropped when the Venza took its place, and from the 2010 model year North American Highlanders were built in Princeton, Indiana.

Third generation (2013–2019)

Production of the third Highlander started in December 2013. It could seat up to eight people. SlashGear quotes 220 kW (295 hp) from the 3.5 V6 with an eight-speed automatic in later model years. The third generation received a five-star NHTSA rating and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status for 2014 to 2019, and J.D. Power scored its quality and reliability 86 out of 100 for 2018 and 2019.

Fourth generation (2019–2026)

The fourth Highlander was unveiled in April 2019 and uses the GA-K (TNGA-K) platform. The hybrid now uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 179 to 184 kW (240 to 247 hp) of system output. From the 2023 model year a 2.4-litre T24A-FTS turbo four-cylinder with 198 kW (265 hp) replaced the 3.5 V6 in the US. Wikipedia says it has about 17 percent more torque than the V6. The IIHS named it a 2020 Top Safety Pick. Headlights on the base version kept it from the higher Top Safety Pick+ award.

Europe received the Highlander for the first time in January 2021, as a seven-seat hybrid only. Toyota Germany now states that the Highlander is no longer sold new. In China, GAC Toyota builds the Highlander and FAW Toyota the related Crown Kluger.

Fifth generation (from 2026): electric only

Toyota unveiled the fifth-generation Highlander on 10 February 2026. It is offered only as a battery-electric vehicle, and Subaru sells a version as the Getaway.

The four-wheel-drive Highlander has 87 kW more than the front-wheel-drive version.

Safety and reliability

Beyond the IIHS and NHTSA results above, ANCAP rated the 2021 Kluger using Euro NCAP-aligned tests. SlashGear lists airbags, the electrical system and engine cooling as the most common NHTSA complaints for the first generation. The 2007 model still scored 84 out of 100 for quality and reliability from J.D. Power.

Sales

In 2025, the last full year before the electric fifth generation, US sales fell to 56,208.

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