Getting More for Your Money: Shopping for a Used Toyota Highlander

What does the Toyota Highlander have in common with the RAV4? While these SUVs might be on different ends of the Toyota lineup in terms of size, the Highlander and RAV4 are top sellers for Toyota. Today, our focus is on a used Toyota Highlander for sale and why this value-packed SUV has been in high demand since its debut in the new millennium.

The First-Gen Highlander: Setting a New Standard (2001-2007)

The Highlander debuted in 2001 as one of the first car-based midsize SUVs in the industry. This doesn’t seem very impactful today, with the market inundated with crossovers, but the Highlander set a new standard because, until then, SUVs like the 4Runner were strictly built on truck platforms. The Highlander changed the game with its unibody structure and independent suspension, making it handle more like Toyota’s best-selling Camry than the adventurous and rugged 4Runner.

The Highlander’s on-road agility and spacious cabin made a lasting impression among drivers, earning it a coveted place as a top seller in the Toyota lineup. Toyota added to this SUV’s appeal by offering it with front- or all-wheel drive across a three-trim lineup.

By the end of this generation, the best-selling SUV was available in a five- or seven-seat configuration with two or three rows. Toyota also introduced several other updates, including a DVD-based navigation system, new exterior lighting, a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission to complement the 230-hp 3.3L V6 engine, and the world’s first seven-passenger hybrid SUV, the Highlander Hybrid.

The Second-Gen Highlander: A Notable Growth Spurt (2008-2013)

The Highlander established a stronger foothold in the Toyota lineup when the second-gen model debuted in 2008. With the five-seat Highlander discontinued, Toyota stretched the Highlander to accommodate its three rows and offer more room for passengers and cargo. The Highlander’s growth spurt was significant and appreciated, especially since it didn’t affect this SUV’s efficiency or car-like handling.

Beyond stretching the wheelbase, adding nearly three inches in height, and increasing its ground clearance, the second-gen Highlander also gained a more potent heartbeat. Toyota discontinued and reintroduced the standard four-cylinder engine throughout the generation, but the Highlander’s more powerful 3.5L V6 engine was even more popular because of its 270-hp output. The Highlander Hybrid didn’t see any updates to its hybrid powertrain but introduced driver-selectable modes that gave drivers more control over their SUV’s performance.

Toyota also used the second-generation Highlander to introduce more features and value to this SUV. For example, the top-tier Highlander Limited featured a standard backup camera via a 3.5-inch display. Other perks and luxuries included heated leather seats, an upgraded audio system, and a 9.0-inch rear-seat DVD entertainment system to showcase the Highlander’s family-friendly appeal.

The Third-Gen Highlander: More of Everything (2014-2019)

The Highlander’s evolution continued in 2014 when Toyota debuted the third generation. Once again, the Highlander enjoyed a growth spurt and introduced more of everything. With Toyota adding nearly three inches to the Highlander’s length, the third-gen version added room for an extra person, bringing its seating capacity to eight. Toyota also ensured the cabin remained spacious and accessible by adding a sliding second row.

This generation also marked another major design shift for the Highlander, with the SUV becoming more sophisticated with a sleeker silhouette, softer exterior lines, and more premium features. By the mid-cycle refresh in 2017, the Highlander also gained another trim (the SE) and more power to improve its handling and capability. Toyota fine-tuned its popular V6 powertrain and added an eight-speed automatic transmission, pushing the Highlander to an output of 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque.

The Fourth-Gen Highlander: Beyond Family-Friendly (2020-Present)

SUVs like the Highlander are often pigeonholed as family-friendly haulers, which discounts a broader market of drivers who might appreciate the spaciousness, competency, and versatility of a three-row SUV. Toyota realized as much in 2020, debuting the fourth-gen Highlander as a more modern SUV to appeal to drivers from all walks of life. Today, this generation of the Highlander is a staple on our new and used lot and showcases the latest evolution of Toyota’s best-selling SUV.

The fourth-gen Highlander is immediately recognizable by its more modern design. This SUV also enjoyed another growth spurt that added to its width, wheelbase, and length; the result is a more spacious and accommodating cabin, with 16.0 cu.ft. of cargo room behind the third row, 48.4 cu.ft. behind the second, and an impressive 84.3 cu.ft. behind the front. Passenger room is also plentiful, with this SUV offering 40 inches of legroom in the first row, 41 inches in the second, and 27.7 inches in the third to complement its headroom at 39.9 inches, 39.4 inches, and 36.1 inches, respectively.

Apart from its significant growth spurt, the Highlander continues to impress with its gas and hybrid powertrains, multi-trim lineup, and a long list of standard features. For example, many of these newer models feature the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver assistance tech that heightens your situational awareness and minimizes the potential for collisions. Toyota also adds new design details and features, like LED fog lights, larger 20-inch wheels, and seamless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Grand Highlander: An Exceptional Addition (2024-Present)

The Highlander’s evolution has been impressive and showcases how attuned Toyota is to drivers’ needs and expectations. This SUV has continuously improved, with more engaging powertrains and standard features that offer exceptional value. However, the addition of the Grand Highlander to the SUV’s lineup in 2024 proves to be even more exciting and solidifies the Highlander’s popularity on new and used lots.

The Grand Highlander expands on everything drivers love about the Highlander, boasting a longer wheelbase than its sibling. Because of this, the Grand Highlander is more accommodating to adult passengers in all three rows and offers more room for cargo. Considering it boasts many of the same value-oriented features and innovative technologies, the Grand Highlander and its hybrid variant mark another chapter for this best-selling SUV and have already garnered industry-wide acclaim.

Shopping Tips and Final Thoughts

Shopping for a used Toyota Highlander is an excellent way to get behind the wheel of one of Toyota’s best-selling SUVs without paying the new car sticker price. The Highlander’s longevity in the Toyota lineup is a testament to the automaker and proves its reputation for building long-lasting and reliable vehicles. But how do you narrow your search to guarantee you get the most for your money?

The Grand Highlander’s recent debut means it won’t be a staple on used lots—at least not for another few years. Because of this, you can expect to mostly find fourth-gen and late third-gen models. This selection is vast, giving you the opportunity to explore 2018 or newer models that offer features and technologies comparable to what you’ll find on the newest Highlander. If you’re on a budget, don’t shy away from shopping for a 2021 model, especially since Toyota introduced the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite as a standard attribute that year.

As you shop across generations, remember your must-have list and what you expect from your Highlander. Then, as you narrow your search, climb into the driver’s seat to see firsthand how the Highlander has built an incredible reputation for its car-like handling, efficiency, and responsiveness. From there, it’s happy driving as you put your money to work and invest in one of the most popular SUVs—and one of the greatest automotive brands—in the world.