Toyota recently shared some of its final sales numbers for 2023, and the Highlander SUV remains a best seller. Even as the brand releases new models, plenty of people are still considering the Highlander. After driving the midsize SUV for a week, here’s why I think the Toyota Highlander is still worth buying.
Toyota Highlander sales remain strong, despite the competition
If you look at Toyota’s SUV lineup from 2023 to 2024, there are a lot of changes. There’s the BZ4X, Corolla Cross, Grand Highlander, and even the highly anticipated return of the Land Cruiser for new and relatively new Toyota models. Even with so many new options, the Highlander sold 169,543 units throughout the year. Though that’s down from 222,805 in 2022, it is still pretty impressive.
| Make & Model | 2023 Sales |
|---|---|
| Toyota RAV4 | 434,943 |
| Toyota Camry | 290,649 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 234,768 |
| Toyota Corolla | 232,370 |
| Toyota Highlander | 169,543 |
| Toyota Tundra | 125,185 |
Regardless of what is popular among shoppers, the Highlander provides a serene and noise-free driving experience, coupled with excellent visibility from all angles. During city testing, the camera system helped navigate narrow spaces. Unlike some SUVs that can be overly sensitive in tight spots, the Toyota offers helpful guidance without being excessively intrusive. It’s safe, spacious, and reasonably priced.
Most versions will have five seats, but you can add a third row from the factory. If you are looking at the Highlander but need some more space, check out the new three-row Grand Highlander. I found the second row comfortable and spacious enough for adults. The cargo area is 16 cubic feet with the seats up and 84.3 cubic feet with the second row folded.
Why is the Highlander a good buy?
When I drove the Highlander for a week, I was surprised by how sensible but still enjoyable it was. My press loaner was the 2023 Toyota Highlander Limited, which has many helpful features. That includes a digital gauge cluster that displays information like directions, alerts, and other safety info. While not everyone likes these digital displays, I appreciate that all important information is in one place. It also has leather-trimmed heated/ventilated seats in the front, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay.
I liked the Limited trim, which starts at $46,075, but the base model only costs $36,420. This one still comes pretty well equipped from the factory, and Toyota also offers four hybrid trims to choose from. The 2.4L turbo four-cylinder gets around 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. With the hybrid, that jumps up to 35 mpg in the city and on the highway.
The Limited trim consistently delivered the expected fuel economy and occasionally even exceeded it. Despite a mix of highway and city driving, with frequent use of air conditioning throughout our test route, the Highlander’s fuel efficiency estimates proved accurate. Overall, the Highlander meets, if not exceeds, expectations across the board.
The Toyota Highlander is a safe option for the family
Toyota also included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ on all trim levels, which bundles most of my top safety systems. There’s a Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams. I also really like the Road Sign Assist System that helps read signs and display them on the dash.
Both the IIHS and NHTSA agree that the Highlander is a safe choice. The midsize SUV earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus award, protecting the occupants in all of the main crashworthiness tests. Additionally, the NHTSA gave the Highlander a five-star overall safety rating.
Some people might overlook these scores for one reason or another, but it really is an important factor to consider. These tests ensure that the vehicle is safe enough to protect all of the occupants in the event of a crash, and not all modern cars, trucks, and SUVs pass the tests, as well as the Highlander.
Even with the ever-expanding SUV segment, the Highlander remains a smart choice. It has a reasonable starting price, a comfortable interior, and an emphasis on safety. I drove a lot of SUVs this year, but I really enjoyed the experience of driving the Highlander.
