Anyone own a Toyota Highlander?? Need help.

[magic kingdom park]

It has come the time to have to purchase a new car. We are looking at the highlander but are scared we are not going to get the gas mileage that is listed 18/24, does anyone have one and what is your average mileage, my everyday driving is both city and interstate combined about 50 miles daily.
Looking also at the cr-v but thinking it will not be as smooth of a ride.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I used to own a Highlander that I bought brand new and the gas mileage was fine for me. There was only two things that I hated about that car and one was the seats. It had cloth seats in it and it showed every single water stain or anything that got on them. My sisters new Honda CRV has the same problem with the seats. If you get either, I would go with leather seats.

Second problem was with a tiny wire on the heat and air that was known to break on several year models costing a huge repair bill because they replaced the control panel instead of replacing the wire. If you know this going in, just know that the wire can be replaced if you can find someone to
do it. I did and it saved me hundreds of dollars.

Out of the two I would go with the Highlander only because of the space in the car. My sister loves her CRV, but it's hard to travel in with two kids. There is no space. I have three kids and the Highlander was OK or this. We also had a third row seat, which is great especially if you have kids.

If I had a choice though with all of this, I would go with a Honda Pilot over both because it's more roomy. We have had several Hondas in our family and a few Toyotas too and we have had less trouble with the Hondas.

I'm sure that was no help.

 

[Jeff_G]

but are scared we are not going to get the gas mileage that is listed 18/24,

You need to understand the EPA gas mileage numbers are generated under specific ideal conditions, on a perfectly flat course run at a constant speed, under specific temperature and humidity.

Based on reports I have seen online you will probably see about a 19mpg avg...

Here is a web site tracking real user's data:
http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/highlander

 

[angwill]

I don't have the Highlander but I do have a Toyota. I get the lower MPG of the two on average. I learned a lot depends on the driver as well as the conditions because my DH can get the higher of the two MPG quoted on a road trip and I never get close when I drive on the same road trip.

 

[VAN]

We bought a new Highlander last August. There are several "kinds" of Highlanders and ours is the FWD 6 cylinder. We currently have 10k miles on it. During the winter, in town, I was getting about 17 mpg ... during moderate weather (again, in town) it is closer to 20 mpg. On strictly highway trips, I've been getting close to 23 mpg.

We have been a Honda family for many years, but sold our 10 year old Odyssey when it had a transmission issue (138k miles). Love our Civics ... put 200-300k on them before selling.

I also thought I'd look at a Pilot, but had a bad taste in my mouth from the transmission issue on the Odyssey so started looking around. I LOVE the local Toyota dealership ... also love that Toyota gave us a two-year Toyota Care with our purchase!!!

So far, I'm very happy.

===========

We have a pop-up camper so do towing ... went camping earlier this summer and the Highlander did fine!

 

[2minnies]

Have a 07 Highlander Limited with leather 6 cyl 4WD at 100K +. Average city 21 hwy 25. Absolutely no repair issues so far.

 

[Mom2Kaylee]

Have a 07 Highlander Limited with leather 6 cyl 4WD at 100K +. Average city 21 hwy 25. Absolutely no repair issues so far.

I have the same one and love it! Plus the 07' was the only year that didn't have that recall. If you decide on one you will love it. Also I was rear ended by someone going 55mph and my number had a scratch. Her car was totalled. When I hit someone from behind I had a scratch and their bmw was $4000 in damage. My Highlander is a beast!!

 

[GJM]

I have an 2003 Highlander and love it, and looking at the new Highlander now. I love the Lexus RX350 but can't see spending that kind of money for the "name".

I am actually having a problem with my heating & air conditioning with it not working.

 

[magic kingdom park]

Thanks for all the reply. Some get great fuel mileage and some just average. I guess it to depends on how you drive. Is the ride quiet and smooth?

 

[vsimeone]

I have a 2005 Highlander with over 105,000 miles. I love it and will not give it up until it dies! I only drive 6 miles to work now but can go just over two weeks on a tank of gas. I used to drive 30 miles to work and always got about 25 miles per gallon. If I ever have to give up my car, it will be for another Highlander!

Good luck with your decision!

 

[findmewdw]

We have an 08 that we bought new and it has about 90,000 miles on it. Have not done one thing to it except for tires, batteries and normal oil maintenance. I love mine! I wish that it would get better mileage, around 20 for normal driving. I do have to admit that I have a lead foot, however. We have seen better at times depending on drive.
I do wish that my third row had split bench seats. Not sure if newer models do now. That is the only thing that I would have changed. So glad we made the purchase. At the time of purchase, I didn't like the CRV model at all. We have a sport and I love my navigation. Good luck with your shopping. We are now in the need of a truck for DH and have been looking ourselves!

 

[magic kingdom park]

We have an 08 that we bought new and it has about 90,000 miles on it. Have not done one thing to it except for tires, batteries and normal oil maintenance. I love mine! I wish that it would get better mileage, around 20 for normal driving. I do have to admit that I have a lead foot, however. We have seen better at times depending on drive.
I do wish that my third row had split bench seats. Not sure if newer models do now. That is the only thing that I would have changed. So glad we made the purchase. At the time of purchase, I didn't like the CRV model at all. We have a sport and I love my navigation. Good luck with your shopping. We are now in the need of a truck for DH and have been looking ourselves!

So now that you have had it for awhile how is the ride, is it still smooth, is there wind noise or is it still like an air tight ride.

 

[barbliny]

We have an '11 Highlander - 4WD SE (6cyl - comes with leather seats)

We love it - we have always been a Honda family until this purchase (still have 2 in the driveway)

We have owned a Honda Pilot (before the redesign - I find the new design too large and not as comfortable) and an Acura MDX (back when they were larger than they are now)

Out of these 3 SUVs - we like the Highlander the best (MDX is a close 2nd) the ride is the smoothest and quietest. The Highlander completely drives like a car.

Everyday use (mostly local) we get about average mileage. When we go on trips (often) we get about 23 mpg. The mileage has everything to do with what kind of engine people have (FWD vs 4WD, 4cyl vs 6 cyl)

It is also the only SUV on the market where you don't have to make a choice between middle row bucket seats or bench seats - the neat little insert allows you to have both.

I would not make a decision between the Highlander and CRV simply because of mileage - other factors are more important

 

[magchavez]

We have a 2011 highlander and love it! We get about 18 mpg in the city and about 24 on the highway. We have always had Hondas but didn't like the design of the new Pilot. The Highlander rides so smoothly and is so quiet. I love the 3rd row split seat. My only complaint is how narrow the middle seat in the 2nd row is when you have that in. It's fine for skinny kids but narrow for an adult.

 

[MScott1851]

I have an '11 Highlander, its a 2wd, and I believe just a 4 cylinder, and get about 19-20mpg on average. I have a lead foot, though. 26,000 miles on it already & not a hiccup. I went from a '07 4Runner v8 to this, so I gave up a little cargo & interior space, but gained a smoother ride. They are built on a Camry frame. I have the third row seats, it's a split seat, so that's nice. You can use just one if needed. I don't particularly care for the interchangeable console/seat option for the second row. It seemed like a nice feature at the time, but it's a PITA to change out, IMO. I just have the one baby, so I leave the console in all the time.

Truth be told, I got just as good gas mileage in my v8 4runner as my 4 cylinder Highlander...not sure why. The salesman kept saying how my gas savings would be so awesome and I've not seen it yet. Also, I can't imagine trying to put two kids plus all their gear/groceries/whatever in a CRV. I know people do it all the time, but I'm just spoiled, I guess. I had an Explorer, then the 4Runner, and downsized to this. If I had had the extra $8000, I would have gone with a new 4Runner.

 

[mrodgers]

I have an '11 Highlander, its a 2wd, and I believe just a 4 cylinder, and get about 19-20mpg on average. I have a lead foot, though. 26,000 miles on it already & not a hiccup. I went from a '07 4Runner v8 to this, so I gave up a little cargo & interior space, but gained a smoother ride. They are built on a Camry frame. I have the third row seats, it's a split seat, so that's nice. You can use just one if needed. I don't particularly care for the interchangeable console/seat option for the second row. It seemed like a nice feature at the time, but it's a PITA to change out, IMO. I just have the one baby, so I leave the console in all the time.

Truth be told, I got just as good gas mileage in my v8 4runner as my 4 cylinder Highlander...not sure why. The salesman kept saying how my gas savings would be so awesome and I've not seen it yet. Also, I can't imagine trying to put two kids plus all their gear/groceries/whatever in a CRV. I know people do it all the time, but I'm just spoiled, I guess. I had an Explorer, then the 4Runner, and downsized to this. If I had had the extra $8000, I would have gone with a new 4Runner.

Big car small underpowered engine for a 5500 lb car, I wouldn't expect to get great gas mileage. Then again, I don't know what TN is like, here in PA, you'd have the throttle on the floor a lot for the hills.

I have a lead foot as well as my wife now has a lead foot. We both average higher than the highway EPA ratings. I believe it is because of the lead foot with the hills we have.

Case in point, my wife didn't work for 3 years of ownership with the Ford Escape, EPA 17 city and 21 highway. She drove grocery shopping once a week and hauled the kids around. She was very non-aggressive. She consistently averaged about 18 mpg. We live out in the middle of nowhere, we drive basically all highway style driving. When my car was down for repairs/maintenance, I drove her Escape. I would average 21-22 mpg. As I said, I am a lead foot. When she went back to work with a 35 mile commute, her driving habits changed and she now became quite aggressive. Now she averages 22-23 mpg, higher than the EPA highway rating.

In my Jetta, a 1.8L turbo, EPA highway rating is 28 mpg. I consistently average about 30 mpg. It has a turbo and I definitely use it, LOL.

So, lead footing it doesn't always mean worse fuel mileage.

The 4 cyl. Highlander rates highway at 25 mpg. I would expect the 187 hp 4 cyl. to not be near enough power for a car that size and I would not get great mileage out of that. The 270 hp 6 cyl. rates only 1 mpg less at 24. With that one, I would estimate I would average 25-26 out of that based on my experience across the last 10 cars I've owned.

 

[gymboqueenkaylee]

I bought a Highlander last May and I absolutely love it. The gas mileage is fine for me. I love the room that I have in it. I haven't had any issues with mine either. I do agree about the seats and the water spots. It drives me nuts. Other than that, the car is great.

 

[TexasErin]

I have a 2010 Honda CRV. I must say I absolutely love it! My last car was a 2000 4Runner and I really liked that as well....

My 2010 CRV has averaged 24.8 MPG over the life of my car (I haven't ever started the counter-thing over, so that is the average for the 37K miles I have put on my car in two years). I have a 4 cylinder and I get great gas mileage. It has plenty of pep for me, even though it is only 4 cylinder. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another CRV. I have two kids- DD15 and DS9. The four of us have driven to WDW in it twice now and had plenty of room....

The only vehicles I would ever buy would be Honda, Toyota, and Subaru (MAYBE a VW, maybe). But I have only had great results with Honda, Toyota, and Subaru.

 

[ColonelHathi]

I have a Rav4 and love it, but when we were looking at the Highlander last year for a 2nd car with more wiggle room, we also test drove a Chevy Traverse and so preferred the Traverse. Both got about the same gas mileage (about 20 mpg) but the Traverse seemed more smooth and we preferred the layout. I was shocked because of my love for my Rav and I thought the Highlander was it. Traverse won us over, just sayin' in case you are looking at options. The two are VERY similar, but each has it's finer points.

 

[magic kingdom park]

I have a Rav4 and love it, but when we were looking at the Highlander last year for a 2nd car with more wiggle room, we also test drove a Chevy Traverse and so preferred the Traverse. Both got about the same gas mileage (about 20 mpg) but the Traverse seemed more smooth and we preferred the layout. I was shocked because of my love for my Rav and I thought the Highlander was it. Traverse won us over, just sayin' in case you are looking at options. The two are VERY similar, but each has it's finer points.

I like the rav4 with the exception of the tire on the back. But in doing research I found out the 2013 rav4 will not have the tire on the back. Chevy is out as my husband had nothing but trouble out of a truck he bought.