Summary
New to UK in 2021, though it’s been on sale in other markets for some years, the Toyota Highlander arrives as the brand’s largest SUV – bigger than the RAV4 and with its seven-seat capacity not as off-road pitched as the Land Cruiser.
Carbuyer calls the Highlander “Toyota’s ultimate family vehicle” while The Sun comments; “It’s quiet, efficient, easy, super-comfy, spacious, swimming in kit and surprisingly easy to place on the road.”
Space and how it is used earns the most plus points amongst Highlander reviewers. As well as the useful rear row of seats, the middle row slides forwards and backwards by some 18cm. The flexibility, many storage spaces and lots of equipment also tick the boxes, though Top Gear comments that the fit and finish “feels a couple of generations old, especially in terms of the graphics on the displays – not as slick or as pretty as the competition.”
The Highlander’s hybrid powertrain combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors on both axles, so it’s not short of power. The ride comfort comes in for praise too, though it feels its size in corners. Autocar says that it “doesn’t offer a particularly dynamic or involving drive.”
Equipment levels are impressive, extending to panoramic sunroofs, multimedia displays and 11-speaker sound systems. But as reviewers point out, all the kit makes this a big, expensive SUV against favourites such as the Kia Sorento, while also bringing within range tempting premium badges from the likes of Audi and Volvo. And against some stylish opposition, the Highlander’s somewhat bland visual presence becomes all the more obvious.
Based on UK reviews, Toyota Highlander holds an Expert Rating of 63% as of August 2023, based on 13 reviews.
The Highlander was discontinued by Toyota UK in Summer 2023, so you’ll be lucky to find a new one in stock. However, there are likely to be plenty of used models available.
Highlander highlights
- Lots of interior space and versatility
- Efficient and potent hybrid powertrain
- Quality fit and finish
- Extensive equipment list
Highlander lowlights
- Extensive kit makes car pricey
- Struggles for identity among many rivals
- Exterior dull
- Interior feels previous-generation
Key specifications
Body style: Large seven-seat SUV
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £50,110 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021
Last updated: N/A
Discontinued: Summer 2023
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Toyota Highlander holds a strong hand when graded against some of the more everyday requirements of a full-size family SUV: versatility, practicality and very competitive running costs.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Highlander combines generous equipment levels with an attractive price and Toyota’s proven hybrid technology.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Toyota Highlander finds itself in a niche almost by itself. It’s more powerful, better furnished and more expensive than other hybrid seven-seaters, while cheaper, perhaps less polished and without the potential BIK and other advantages of similarly sized premium plug-in hybrids.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota Highlander is spectacularly fit for purpose. It’s comfortable to drive, with remarkable refinement, impressive economy and plenty of space.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota Highlander will no doubt go down a storm with in-market SUV buyers. It’s big, comfortable and practical and, as a result, will be a hit with families. The low running costs afforded by the hybrid powertrain will also prove appealing, either to private users or business owners, too.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“The Toyota Highlander offers families lots of space in a reliable package.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Excel
“Excellent emissions and running costs. It’s priced to compete with premium rivals but practicality and space are good.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 8.2 / 10
“A capable and seriously practical family SUV with hybrid power as standard.”
Read review
The Sun
Model reviewed:
“The Toyota Highlander is efficient, easy, spacious and surprisingly easy to place on the road.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“Launching a large SUV seems crazy in the current climate, but this economical hybrid could turn out to be a very smart move for Toyota.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 5 / 10
“The Toyota Highlander suffers mainly from an excess of middle-of-the-road. It’s fine, but fine isn’t quite good enough.”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Toyota Highlander is an exceptionally sensible choice in the luxury SUV class.”
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Big, brawny and practical, the Toyota Highlander has seven-seats and is great in terms of its performance and practicality. While it scores well for safety equipment, it’s compromised by a concerning performance in our hazard avoidance test and its long braking distances.”
Read review
Safety rating
No safety rating
As of January 2023, the Toyota Highlander has not been tested by Euro NCAP.
Eco rating
No eco rating
As of January 2023, the Toyota Highlander has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Toyota Highlander to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Highlander, we’ll publish the score here.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Toyota Highlander, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q7 | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | Land Rover Discovery | Lexus RX L | Nissan X-Trail | Peugeot 5008 | SEAT Tarraco | Skoda Kodiaq | SsangYong Rexton | Volkswagen Touareg | Volvo XC90
The Toyota Highlander takes on a great many rivals with big reputations. Reviewers conclude that against established favourites such as the Kia Sorento, Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Kodiaq, the big Toyota will struggle to establish itself. Its price also puts premium SUVs such as the Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90 into the same consideration pot, and their badges may tempt buyers away from the Toyota.
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Toyota Highlander at The Car Expert
Buy a Toyota Highlander
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Toyota Highlander, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more
Search for your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more
We’re putting the feel good back into car buying. Find out more
Lease a Toyota Highlander
If you’re looking to lease a new Toyota Highlander, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Moneyshake. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more
Subscribe to a Toyota Highlander
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from Drive Fuze.
Find out more
Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
Find out more
