Makes›Toyota›Highlander

Toyota Highlander

22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Toyota Highlander
Pictured: Toyota Highlander Hybrid (XU70) 1X7A6356. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2026
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Latest engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Best MPG
22–36 combined, by year
Latest rating
★★★★★ (2025)
Recalls
47 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2021 (548)
Fewest problems
2016
Interest
21,118 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2026 Highlander in brief

The 2026 Toyota Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 195 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,123 lb (4dr SUV L FWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 35 MPG combined (35 city / 35 highway), 75% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 20 MPG, for an estimated $1,900 a year in fuel.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the back over prevention.

The Toyota Highlander has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD.

Its most efficient year was 2024 at 36 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 22 to 36 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the power train (813), service brakes (713), unknown or other (612).

Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2021 is the year to avoid.

2010 has the most recalls (11); all years together count 47 campaigns and 4,194 owner complaints.

How the 2005 Highlander compares

The 2005 Toyota Highlander is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.3L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,880 lb (4dr SUV 4WD/4WD V6).

About the Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander , also known as the Toyota Kluger in some markets, is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000.

From the Wikipedia article "Toyota Highlander", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2026 Highlander pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 75% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the Highlander with any other car →

Highlander changes by model year

  1. 2023
    • Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
  2. 2020
    • New body dimensions: 2.4 in longer, wheelbase +2.4 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engine added: 2.5L 4-cyl
    • Engine dropped: 2.7L 4-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 29 to 36
  3. 2018
    • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
  4. 2014
    • New body dimensions: 2.7 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
  5. 2011
    • Engine dropped: 3.3L 6-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 26 to 28
    • Lightest version 333 lb lighter
  6. 2009
    • Engine added: 2.7L 4-cyl
  7. 2008
    • New body dimensions: 4.0 in longer, wheelbase +2.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
    • Engine dropped: 2.4L 4-cyl
  8. 2006
    • New hybrid version
    • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 27
    • Lightest version 397 lb heavier

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 22 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20262.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo35 MPG194.9 in4,123 lbNot rated04
20252.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo35 MPG194.9 in4,123 lb★★★★★410
20242.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo36 MPG194.9 in4,123 lb★★★★★743
20232.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo36 MPG194.9 in4,123 lb★★★★★9198
20222.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl36 MPG194.9 in4,123 lb★★★★★6272
20212.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl36 MPG194.9 in4,123 lb★★★★★5548
20202.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl36 MPG194.9 in4,123 lb★★★★★5330
20193.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl29 MPG192.5 in4,475 lb★★★★★3511
20183.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl29 MPG192.5 in4,475 lb★★★★★4275
20173.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl29 MPG192.5 in4,475 lbNot rated3274
20163.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl28 MPG191.3 in4,486 lbNot rated2117
20153.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl28 MPG191.3 in4,784 lbNot rated1195
20143.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl28 MPG191.3 in4,861 lbNot rated4125
20133.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl28 MPG188.6 in3,847 lbNot rated3160
20123.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl28 MPG188.6 in3,847 lbNot rated2147
20113.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl28 MPG188.6 in3,847 lbNot rated5111
20103.3L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl26 MPG188.6 in4,180 lbNot rated11135
20093.3L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl26 MPG188.6 in4,180 lbNot rated997
20083.3L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl26 MPG188.6 in4,180 lbNot rated10305
20073.3L 6-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl26 MPG184.6 in3,880 lbNot rated690
20063.3L 6-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl27 MPG184.6 in3,880 lbNot rated9207
20052.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl22 MPG184.6 in3,880 lbNot rated540
Best combined MPG by model year — Toyota Highlander
2005: 22 MPG2006: 27 MPG2007: 26 MPG2008: 26 MPG2009: 26 MPG2010: 26 MPG2011: 28 MPG2012: 28 MPG2013: 28 MPG2014: 28 MPG2015: 28 MPG2016: 28 MPG2017: 29 MPG2018: 29 MPG2019: 29 MPG2020: 36 MPG2021: 36 MPG2022: 36 MPG2023: 36 MPG2024: 36 MPG2025: 35 MPG2026: 35 MPG20052008201120142017202020232026max 36 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 Highlander

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Toyota Land Cruiser23 MPGNot rated1
2026 Toyota 4Runner23 MPGNot rated2
2026 Ford Explorer24 MPGNot rated15
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee23 MPGNot rated6
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe36 MPGNot rated4
2026 Kia Sorento37 MPGNot rated2

Most common owner-reported problems

Power Train813
Service Brakes713
Unknown Or Other612
Electrical System495
Engine427
Steering235
Fuel/Propulsion System232
Air Bags217
Owner complaints by model year — Toyota Highlander
2005: 402006: 2072007: 902008: 3052009: 972010: 1352011: 1112012: 1472013: 1602014: 1252015: 1952016: 1172017: 2742018: 2752019: 5112020: 3302021: 5482022: 2722023: 1982024: 432025: 102026: 420052008201120142017202020232026max 548
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →