Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Toyota Highlander, 2001-2007

[Autos_Editor]

The first-generation Highlander, sold from 2001 through 2007, is one of the last "good" Toyotas.

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[Gardiner Westbound]

The Japanese retreat from manufacturing excellence and first class customer care is sharply reducing their market share. Honda and Toyota price premiums are falling as buyers realize they are way past their best before dates. Hyundai is eating their lunch.

[JRM]

I had a 2004 Camry with the 2.4 l, 4 speed auto.  I had the same problems with the oil leaks and water pump failure.  There is no mention here of transmission failure, which I did have with the Camry.  I got rid of it after 60,000km.  Not what I'd call a good Toyota.  My 1999 Camry, 2.2 l, on the other hand, gave me 130,0000 trouble free kms.  That model was the last of the good Toyotas.  The problems came with the 2002 model remake, on which the Highlander was based.  In retrospect, I should have kept the '99 until it died, which may not yet have happened.

[Threader]

Reading this used Highlander article you could just replace every mention "Toyota" with last generation "Ford" , "GM" or even "Chrysler". Cylinder Head oil and coolant leaking failures, engine sludge, Pre-mature Water pump failures, main seal failures, various electrical gremlins, burnt out Electrical invertors.  EEEKKKK!!!!

Run don't walk away from this used purchase.

[jaari]

Just proves even further the falacy  that Toyota's never break 
I never bought that, never will.
Beside their cars and suvs are plain UUUGLY, though styling is subjective I guess...

[Fobroader]

After seeing more than a few of these get stuck in a snowstorm, I dont know what the attraction would be to this ugly and generic, now also come to find out fairly unreliable, SUV would be. Dont know why anyone would buy one of these over a 4Runner???

[bridgecity]

Who could be happy driving one of these? Doesn't matter if it's any good...same for the Pilot.

My wife  .

[aaronk]

Some good friends of ours have a 2002 with the I4/FWD combo and we talk cars quite often. They like the fact that it really does have a vast, flexible interior that is basically built for people and cargo. There are about 25 cupholders, the seats are large and comfortable, storage compartments everywhere and thanks to the boxy shape it has great visibility and stuff-carrying capability. It has also proved supremely reliable with only minor issues so far.

On the down side, even with the four-cylinder, it's pretty hard on gas for its relative lack of spirited performance. Sure the V6 edition (especially with AWD) is worse still, but 12-13L/100 Kms is fairly poor for a four-cylinder crossover in my opinion. The other downside is the complete lack of driver involvement, but given the segment, that hardly makes it unique in this regard.

Personally I'd look at the Rav4 before one of these, but if you need the extra cargo room and are on a budget this may just fit the bill.

[Snowman]

I owned a 2002 and it was a great vehicle and operated flawlessly. The fit and finish was unbeatable and I know many people who owned them and had nothing but trouble free ownership. The Highlander is a great used vehicle buy and comes highly rated by Consumer Reports with all red dots in the reliability history. I would not place much weight with this report on Autos if in the used SUV market. A solid car based SUV.

I would like clarification on the statement by Chris Chase on what he means by "is one of the last "good" Toyotas."

What would be a bad Toyota?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

^What he said.

[chrischasescars]

The Highlander is a great used vehicle buy and comes highly rated by Consumer Reports with all red dots in the reliability history. I would not place much weight with this report on Autos if in the used SUV market. A solid car based SUV.

In what way am I disagreeing with CR's evaluation, or your own experience, when I write something like "Used examples are expensive, but also worth the money, I’d argue, for this vehicle’s combination of size, usefulness and dependability"?

Used to be, this chart would be nothing but solid red dots:



I realize the ratings rarely fall below "above average," but note how most of the less-than-perfect ratings fall under later model years. Toyota went from simply building really good cars, to wanting to be the biggest automaker in the world. Rather than charge a few more bucks for every car (which they'd be wiser to do, IMO) to counter Japan's weaker currency, they've taken to cutting corners to keep prices lower.

[Snowman]

The Highlander is a great used vehicle buy and comes highly rated by Consumer Reports with all red dots in the reliability history. I would not place much weight with this report on Autos if in the used SUV market. A solid car based SUV.

In what way am I disagreeing with CR's evaluation, or your own experience, when I write something like "Used examples are expensive, but also worth the money, I’d argue, for this vehicle’s combination of size, usefulness and dependability"?

Used to be, this chart would be nothing but solid red dots:



I realize the ratings rarely fall below "above average," but note how most of the less-than-perfect ratings fall under later model years. Toyota went from simply building really good cars, to wanting to be the biggest automaker in the world. Rather than charge a few more bucks for every car (which they'd be wiser to do, IMO) to counter Japan's weaker currency, they've taken to cutting corners to keep prices lower.

Well that is your opinion. No vehicles are perfect when it comes to reliability Toyota's history and current models speak for themselves. To state that the Highlander is one of the last of the good Toyota's is ignorant.

[chrischasescars]

To state that the Highlander is one of the last of the good Toyota's is ignorant.

I disagree, but then, that's just my opinion. 

[Snowman]

To state that the Highlander is one of the last of the good Toyota's is ignorant.

I disagree, but then, that's just my opinion. 

Yes, we are all entitled to our opinions 

[chrischasescars]

To state that the Highlander is one of the last of the good Toyota's is ignorant.

I disagree, but then, that's just my opinion. 

Yes, we are all entitled to our opinions 

And with that, I agree completely. 

[ArticSteve]

To receive benefit from that chart one needs to know the EXACT reason for the downgrade.

The 2010/2011 Avalon is in fact a 2010/2011 Camry V6 XLE.  Made on the same line with the same parts.  The only internal difference is that they weld in a spacer just after the front seats.  Hence the sunroof is identical, seat rails, etc.  So whats with the WHITE DOT     

As for the 2006 and subsequent Camry being the best Camry ever made ...  come on.     That UA bullsh*t still lingers in owners minds and taints ppl's objectivity.

The most reliable     Is a  3.0 V6 operated with a rubber band more reliable than the 3.5 V6 chain motor.  It might be if you spend $700 bucks on a new Tbelt system in year 7.   The 07 and up Camrys were such an improvement and the lastest unit is fantastic.  It seems Toyota decided to invest in some Dynomat because the V6 XLE is quiet like the current ES350.   I can see why they needed to redo the ES350 if in the USA you can nab a 2012 XLE V6 Nav for 30K.