Toyota Highlander:Review the specs, features and pros & cons

Toyota Highlander Safety

Since the end of 2017, Toyota Safety Sense has been standard on all Toyota Highlander base models. This package includes:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection to help reduce the likelihood of colliding with a car or a pedestrian
• Lane Departure Alert, which warns you when the car is starting to sway into another lane
• Automatic High Beams to help you drive better at night without disrupting other drivers
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts the speed based on the car in front of you
• Road Sign Assist, which detects road signs using a front-facing camera
• Lane Tracing Assist to help keep you centred in your lane

Brake assist—a mechanism that helps you break faster in emergencies—and traction control are available across all Toyota Highlander models, including airbags for the driver and both front and rear passengers.

Toyota Highlander Interior

The Toyota Highlander makes travelling easy with its comfortable seating and interior features. Heated front seats are available on all models starting from 2010. Power windows and air conditioning are standard on all vehicles. More modern releases have cozy standard features like optional woodgrain trim and rear privacy glass.

Toyota Highlander Technology

The Toyota Highlander comes standard with quite a few bells and whistles. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet available on any of the trims. The changes to the dashboard infotainment system have been very slight since the 2017 refresh, and some drivers claim that the dashboard layout on the 2018 model is pretty straightforward to use but may be difficult to reach while driving. Nevertheless, the dashboard itself offers plenty, such as:

• AM, FM and satellite radio
• Touchscreen display
• USB and auxiliary jack 
• MP3/CD Player
• Wireless cell phone connectivity for hands-free calling, texting and emailing

Toyota Highlander Space

If you're looking for more passenger spots, the 2014 Toyota Highlander redesign made a third row of seating available on base models— however, it does eat into your cargo space, and consequently, the third-row passengers don't have as much legroom as the second and first-row passengers. Besides the back row, the driver and other passengers appreciate plenty of leg, shoulder and headroom.

Toyota Highlander Comfort

You can expect any model of the Toyota Highlander to be a smooth and quiet ride. While not available in a 4x4, the optional all-wheel drive option gives you plenty of power and control.