This 3-Row SUV Blends Reliability With Everyday Practicality
This SUV delivers a roomy interior, user-friendly tech, and fuel-efficient engine options, all backed by a reputation for lasting reliability. Whether you're hauling kids, cargo, or both, its versatile layout and proven dependability make it a standout in a crowded segment.
While rivals might offer flashier styling or more aggressive powertrains, this three-row SUV wins over families with its quiet confidence and worry-free ownership. If you're looking for a daily driver that's as durable as it is practical, this is one of the safest bets on the road today.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including J.D. Power, CarEdge, RepairPal, and the EPA.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is Exceptionally Sturdy
When buying a family car, one that you plan to keep around for a long time, it is likely that reliability is at the top of your list of priorities. Peace of mind when you and your family hit the road is invaluable. This is why the Toyota Highlander should be at the top of your list of options, with a proven track record when it comes to reliability and a reputation for lasting.
Reliability Scores and Owner Testimonials
There are a number of sources that collect information from verified owners to underline the reliability of vehicles. One of the most reliable sources of this data is J.D. Power. According to them, the Highlander is among the most reliable vehicles on the market, with a score of 81 out of 100 for quality and reliability for 2025. In the last ten years, only one model has dipped below 80 out of 100, and that was with a score of 79.
When looking at reviews of owners on Cars.com, it is easy to see that most people concur with J.D. Power. While some have had issues with more recent model years, the overall sentiment is still a positive one. The 2020 model year, which is the first model after it was redesigned, has a score of 4.8 stars out of five for reliability.
Overall a good reliable 3-row SUV, with a comfortable ride, decent trip mileage, and good acceleration...
Cars.com
Maintenance Costs
One of the best things about opting for a Toyota is low maintenance costs. For example, CarEdge estimates that you'll spend around $6,291 on maintenance for your Highlander over ten years of ownership. This is $1,917 less than the average popular SUV. RepairPal concurs, estimating that you should put aside around $489 annually for maintenance and repairs.
CarEdge also estimates that there is a 16.6 percent chance that you will need to perform a major repair on the Highlander in its first ten years on the road. They define a major repair as anything that costs more than $500. This is around eight percent lower than average for the segment.
Warranties and After-Sales Support
Limited Warranty - Three Years or 36,000 Miles
Powertrain Warranty - Five Years or 60,000 Miles
Complimentary Maintenance - Two Years or 25,000 Miles
When buying a brand-new Highlander, you get the benefit of Toyota's warranty packages. Compared to what is on offer from other automaker's, the bumper-to-bumper coverage and powertrain coverage are about average. If you're looking for a better plan, Hyundai and Kia have the best in the business, with a ten-year, 100,000-mile plan. Toyota does sweeten the deal by covering your first two years of maintenance on the house, though.
Toyota Equips the Highlander With a Comfortable and Spacious Interior
Three-row mid-size SUVs are among the most popular vehicles for families, and it isn't hard to see why. The Highlander is an exceptionally versatile SUV, with plenty of room for up to eight passengers. It may not be the most exciting, nor the flashiest option on the market, but Toyota focuses on functionality, which they deliver in spades in the 2025 Highlander.
Interior Dimensions and Comfort
Depending on its configuration, the Highlander has seating for up to eight. Opting for the optional second-row captain's chairs reduces capacity down to seven. Those in the first and second row are spoiled, with tons of room to stretch out and relax. The third row is a little tighter, with it only really being suitable for children. If you want more room in the way back seats, we'd suggest the Grand Highlander. The Grand Highlander is brand new though, so it doesn't have a record when it comes to quality and reliability, and it is more expensive.
Toyota sticks to its utilitarian ideology when it comes to the interior design of the Highlander, with things kept relatively low-key. However, this doesn't mean that quality is bad, with upscale materials used throughout the cabin, particularly on top trims. Things like leather upholstery and heated and ventilated seats are available, ensuring that you and your family are kept comfortable on long hauls.
Infotainment and Technology
The Highlander continues its substance-over-style approach when it comes to the infotainment system. Base trims make do with an eight-inch infotainment screen fixed to the center of the dashboard. However, a 12.3-inch unit is available on higher trim levels. Trims with the larger infotainment screen also replace their analog gauges with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
There are plenty of features to keep the family connected and entertained on journeys, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also have access to SiriusXM satellite radio and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. As well as the many USB ports throughout the cabin, most trims come with a wireless smartphone charging pad. Base models get a six-speaker sound system, but you can upgrade to an 11-speaker premium JBL system instead.
You Don't Have To Climb the Trim Ladder Very Far To Find Good Value
A lot of modern automakers reel you in with low starting prices. However, it is often the case that to find a model with the features that you actually want, you have to skip a couple trim levels and shell out a lot more cash. This isn't the case with the 2025 Highlander, though, with Toyota ensuring that even the most affordable models offer plenty of value.
2025 Trims and Pricing
The 2025 Highlander starts at just above $40,000, which is pretty standard for a three-row mid-size SUV. Most of its competitors sit in the same price bracket. For the 2025 model year, Toyota has made some changes to help improve the value proposition of their crossover. This includes adding all-wheel drive as standard on the XSE and Platinum models. All hybrid models also come standard with all-wheel drive now.
Whether you're looking for a hybrid or a gas-only model, we think that the XLE represents the best value. It is a relatively small jump in price over the base model, but it comes with a ton of equipment to justify its higher price. Things like second-row captain's chairs, heated seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the option of upgrading the audio system all make it worth it. If you're willing to spend more upfront for savings later, we'd also suggest going with the hybrid over the gas-only model.
Performance Specifications
You can either go with the turbocharged gas-only Highlander, or one equipped with a naturally aspirated hybrid setup. While the gas-only model may entice you with higher power figures, the reality is that both accelerate at pretty similar rates. In either guise, the Highlander is reasonably peppy, and you're never going to feel like you can't keep up.
Toyota's mid-size SUV is not a particularly exciting vehicle to drive. While the traditional automatic and turbocharged engine might be alluring to some, it doesn't result in a much more entertaining experience than the hybrid with the CVT. Both models do, however, deliver a pretty smooth and comfortable ride, which is more important in a family car in our opinion. The hybrid is more expensive upfront, but will save you plenty on gas in the long run.
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The Grand Highlander is brand new though, so it doesn't have a record when it comes to quality and reliability, and it is more expensive. Toyota sticks to its utilitarian ideology when it comes to the interior design of the Highlander, with things kept relatively low-key. However, this doesn't mean that quality is bad, with upscale materials used throughout the cabin, particularly on top trims. Things like leather upholstery and heated and ventilated seats are available, ensuring that you and your family are kept comfortable on long hauls. Infotainment and Technology The Highlander continues its substance-over-style approach when it comes to the infotainment system. Base trims make do with an eight-inch infotainment screen fixed to the center of the dashboard. However, a 12.3-inch unit is available on higher trim levels. Trims with the larger infotainment screen also replace their analog gauges with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. There are plenty of features to keep the family connected and entertained on journeys, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also have access to SiriusXM satellite radio and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. As well as the many USB ports throughout the cabin, most trims come with a wireless smartphone charging pad. Base models get a six-speaker sound system, but you can upgrade to an 11-speaker premium JBL system instead. You Don't Have To Climb the Trim Ladder Very Far To Find Good Value A lot of modern automakers reel you in with low starting prices. However, it is often the case that to find a model with the features that you actually want, you have to skip a couple trim levels and shell out a lot more cash. This isn't the case with the 2025 Highlander, though, with Toyota ensuring that even the most affordable models offer plenty of value. 2025 Trims and Pricing The 2025 Highlander starts at just above $40,000, which is pretty standard for a three-row mid-size SUV. Most of its competitors sit in the same price bracket. For the 2025 model year, Toyota has made some changes to help improve the value proposition of their crossover. This includes adding all-wheel drive as standard on the XSE and Platinum models. All hybrid models also come standard with all-wheel drive now. Whether you're looking for a hybrid or a gas-only model, we think that the XLE represents the best value. It is a relatively small jump in price over the base model, but it comes with a ton of equipment to justify its higher price. Things like second-row captain's chairs, heated seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the option of upgrading the audio system all make it worth it. If you're willing to spend more upfront for savings later, we'd also suggest going with the hybrid over the gas-only model. Performance Specifications You can either go with the turbocharged gas-only Highlander, or one equipped with a naturally aspirated hybrid setup. While the gas-only model may entice you with higher power figures, the reality is that both accelerate at pretty similar rates. In either guise, the Highlander is reasonably peppy, and you're never going to feel like you can't keep up. Toyota's mid-size SUV is not a particularly exciting vehicle to drive. While the traditional automatic and turbocharged engine might be alluring to some, it doesn't result in a much more entertaining experience than the hybrid with the CVT. Both models do, however, deliver a pretty smooth and comfortable ride, which is more important in a family car in our opinion. The hybrid is more expensive upfront, but will save you plenty on gas in the long run.
