Toyota Highlander

In production since 2019, the current generation Highlander earns top marks for crash test safety and offers five distinct trim levels in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, with the buyer’s choice of gasoline or hybrid engines. 

The most basic LE trim offers seating for eight passengers, wireless phone integration, and a suite of driver-assist tech known as Toyota Safety Sense®, which adds automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, full-range adaptive cruise control, lane keeping with steering assist, and more. Higher trim levels add luxury features including wireless device charging, a power liftgate, heated and leather-upholstered seats, and panoramic glass roof panels. 

Note that in 2023, Toyota introduced a new model called the Grand Highlander. It's longer, wider, and taller than the regular Highlander but offers the same drivetrain choices plus a more powerful Hybrid Max option.

The third-generation Highlander was among the most popular SUVs in America, selling up to 240,000 units per year. Available with a V6 engine and all-wheel drive, the Highlander set the standard for family midsize SUVs. 

When the third-generation Toyota Highlander debuted in 2014, it was larger than the outgoing model and offered buyers the Toyota Star™ driver-assist system, including stability and traction controls, braking assistance, and smart stop technology in the event of pedal misapplication. In 2015, the Highlander received the first version of Toyota Safety Sense®, including a precollision system, lane departure alerts, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. For the final year of this generation, Toyota added road sign assistance and lane tracing steering assistance to create TSS 2.0. 

The third-generation Highlander was available in a variety of trim levels ranging from basic to luxury, and a hybrid engine was available in all years. The model was refreshed for 2017 with new front and rear body design, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and updated V6 engine