Any Highlander owners?

[RitaZ.]

We test drove one a week ago and really liked it. From all the vehicles that I have test-driven, this is the one that I like the most. It's really comfortable, very smooth ride.

Any cons I should know about? I like the sun-roof feature, but I have read negative things about it. I also read several reviews from drivers that said the displays are difficult to see (not bright enough) if you are wearing sunglasses. If you drive one, I'd like to hear your honest opinions. TIA

 

[monsterkitty]

We have a 2002. We love it. We have had no problems at all. We took it too Canada on a 4,000 mile trip. It drives like a car. We get better gas milage then I did with my Saturn wagon.

We will be getting the Hybrid Highlander hopefully next summer.

My husband was a "Ford" man. I had a Corolla before my Saturn but it was totaled by a drunk driver. I bought the Saturn because I needed room to haul instruments. My husband did not want me to buy a car that wasn't American made so I settled on the Saturn. After spending a small fortuen on repairs for the crappy Saturn, we decided to buy the new car. I was going to replace the Saturn with a Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute (same car) because he was a "Ford" man. We went to a dealer that sells both Mazda and Toyotas. We drove the Tribute and it was okay. Then we drove the Highlander. It was love at first drive for DH. In fact, he loved the Toyota so much he traded his Ford Ranger in for a Tacoma the next week.

We have now converted 7 co-workers from Trailblazers and Fords to Highlanders.

 

[GJM]

I have a 2003 and love it. I felt comfortable the first time I took it for a test drive. I have the sunroof in my highlander and I have never had a problem with it. The day we picked up the car we drove to Disney the next day.

I honestly can not think of one thing I don't like about it. I don't have a problem with seeing the displays even with sunglasses on.

I think it is a great car, I didn't want anything too big or too small, this is the perfect size.

 

[TINK_TINK]

I have a 2003 and I LOVE it!! Drives wonderfully. Fits everyone in my family comfortably on long trips, I am 5 ft 3 and my hubby is 6 ft 4. We have never had any problems with. We have the DVD in it and the kids love it.

 

[Lynda Silk]

I have a 2002 and love it! It was my DH's company car and we loved it so much, we bought out the lease. My DH's new company car is a Lexus but I think he still prefers the Highlander! Anyway, no complaints here at all. Even the maintenance checks were problem free, and the car is so comfortable and easy to drive. Gas mileage is better than my Chev Malibu's.

 

[Christine]

I have a 2005 Highlander. Just bought it June. I have LOVED the Highlander since it debuted and I finally got one. I do not have a sunroof so I can't speak to the issues with that. I wear sunglasses all the time and have no problems with the displays. So far there is nothing about it I don't like (with the exception of gas mileage--this is my first V6 and I picked a bad time to buy one!).

 

[clukayle]

I have a 2003 highlander - bought it new and have over 70,000 miles on it - wonderful vehicle, not one problem. Although not a concern for you, it is great in the snow. I have had toyotas for years and they are so consistently reliable for well over 200k.

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm on the wait list for the Highlander Hybrid.

 

[delilah]

I also have a 2002, and love it. We plan on buying one of the hybrids also, when we finish making payments on this one. The only problem I have had with it is with the driver side visor. It's mechanism is loose, and it falls down when I drive over bumps sometimes. Apparently, it can't be fixed, or else my husband forgot to ask the last time he brought it in for service. I'm thinking of breaking out the duct tape to hold it in place.

 

[RitaZ.]

I guess I'm looking for bad reviews, it looks like I won't be getting any from you guys. Everything I've read is positive, except for those two things that I mentioned and some complaints on the engine not being powerful/responsive enough.

DH has never been a fan of Toyota vehicles, but even he was impressed, which says a lot. It's really comfortable, the driver seat feels like it contours to your body. I just want to drive a vehicle without feeling every bump on the road, is that a sign of old age?

I'm really leaning toward the Highlander. I think we are going to go this weekend for another test-drive, with the kids this time. I have never put so much research into buying a vehicle before. Maybe that's another sign of old age?

 

[RitaZ.]

They had a hybrid in the showroom, the selling price is $45K; it has a $5K markup due to demand. One question that no salesperson has answered is what it costs to replace the battery. When I have asked, they responded by saying that the battery is under warranty for 8 yrs. and that most people don't keep a vehicle that long.

 

[monsterkitty]

Everything I've read is positive, except for those two things that I mentioned and some complaints on the engine not being powerful/responsive enough.

I live in Colorado. We drive in the mountains a lot and have never had a problem with the engine not being powerful enough.

 

[GJM]

I love Toyota's - My lst. new car was a 1987 Toyota Celica, I drove that car until it had 170,00 miles on it. I never had any problems with the car. The most expensive thing I did was the timing belt, and that was just because it was recommened to change it.

 

[Christine]

DH has never been a fan of Toyota vehicles, but even he was impressed, which says a lot. It's really comfortable, the driver seat feels like it contours to your body. I just want to drive a vehicle without feeling every bump on the road, is that a sign of old age?

As they reviewers say, the Highlander is the Camry on steroids! That's why it rides so well.

 

[LindaR]

I have a 2001 Highlander 4WD Limited. I have 78000 miles on it. No problems! Have only had to put new tires on it.

As to the question about the hybrids and battery replacement...........it will be extremely expensive (IMO). I have read and heard that it will cost over $2000............

 

[gradtchr]

I love and adore my highlander. I have a 2004. I have had no problems seeing the displays and none with my sunroof. The ride is very smooth, and I am getting better gas mileage with it than I was with my Honda Accord. It fits everything I need and I would not hesitate for even a second to get another one.

I would hesitate on getting it from the same dealer I got this one at though. They did something very unethical to me regarding my purchase and I am still not amused.

The car is wonderful!!

 

[Christine]

I love and adore my highlander. I have a 2004. I have had no problems seeing the displays and none with my sunroof. The ride is very smooth, and I am getting better gas mileage with it than I was with my Honda Accord. It fits everything I need and I would not hesitate for even a second to get another one.

I would hesitate on getting it from the same dealer I got this one at though. They did something very unethical to me regarding my purchase and I am still not amused.

The car is wonderful!!

How are you getting better gas mileage than on your Accord? Was you Accord a V6? My other car is a Camry and I was getting close to 30 mpg while commuting. With the Highlander I am getting 19-20 mpg commuting. What am I doing wrong?

 

[LindaR]

Christine, everybody has different driving "styles" and will end up getting different gas mileage.

For example, when my daughter drives my Highlander I will end up getting about 18 mpg. My average in the city is 22. When I drive HER Beetle, I get about 5 better than she does!

 

[Christine]

Christine, everybody has different driving "styles" and will end up getting different gas mileage.

For example, when my daughter drives my Highlander I will end up getting about 18 mpg. My average in the city is 22. When I drive HER Beetle, I get about 5 better than she does!

Oh, I know. But I can't *imagine* my Highlander doing better than Accord. Unless, of course, I had a 4 cylinder Highlander (which they do sell and I think people buy them) or that the Accord was a 6 cylinder. I normally think that most Accords are 4 cylinders and most Highlanders are 6 cylinders. I just don't know of too many cases where a 6 cylinder outperforms a 4 cylinder in regard to gas mileage.

 

[Ava83]

my highlander, we have a 2004 and it is great to drive.

No issues