Overall Rating
Updated on: December 28, 2021
Senior Editor
Human tendency is a perfect example of unquenchable thirst. Initially, it used to be hatchbacks then came sedans. After that, it was the turn for SUVs, now even that is not enough as the urge for extra is driving the auto industry for bigger full-size SUVs. The Toyota Highlander is one among those big bulls.
Seating capacity for the first two rows
Technology-loaded for amateurs
Performance needs to be improved
Weight transfer
Exterior outfit updates
Third-row seating comes standard all across the trims
based on 3 ratings
POPULAR TAGS
User Overall Rating
Posted On: December 31, 2021
Spacious and Versatile The Toyota Highlander fits perfectly for my family and has ample space to haul my two dogs during vacations. It has more room behind the last-row seats and I never felt insufficient to date. Its V6 engine and auto transmission setup deliver decent acceleration on flat roads but strives a bit to launch on slopes with fully loaded cabins. I hope it misses a 4X4 driveline to get used to while driving on off roads and inclined trails. Despite its bulky dimensions, I had no issues maneuvering this SUV in city traffics and prefer buying it if you're looking for a reliable family vehicle. The employees in the Capitol Toyota were quite cooperative and easy to work with; they compl...
User Overall Rating
Posted On: December 31, 2021
Too many dealership visits I leased this car for a monthly payment of $425 for two years and faced engine starting issues many times, especially in cold climatic conditions. It never started in required times and the servicemen found the problem was with the starter motor. They demanded 2,850$ to repair it but my son didn't want to spend on a 2015 trim and I returned it back to the dealership without repairing it. I leased the vehicle without any hassles since my leasing consultant followed an uncomplicated process. I negotiated the monthly payment and got the price I demanded from the funding department. But their service department was pushy about the service cost and I never had a pleasant se...
User Overall Rating
Posted On: December 31, 2021
Feature-packed and solid SUV My whole family feels contented with our new Highlander; I just bought it last month and the odometer is yet to reach 2K miles. The powertrain renders quick throttle on highways and its high-speed stability is remarkable while cruising at 80+mph. The cabins have massive legroom to haul my family members comfortably during interstate visits. Even in this base trim, I got an Onboard WiFi with Android Auto and Apple carplay integrations. The standard touchscreen interface is user-friendly and this car packs so many high-level features for an affordable price tag of $38K. Mile Casey was very helpful in the trim selection and he made sure to explain all the features of my...
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Pricing and Features
Pricing and Feature
Features
Engine and Performance
Fuel Economy
Interior
Exterior
Safety
Competition
7.7
OVERALL RATING
Overall Rating
Available in three trims, this 7-seater SUV costs you around $28,900 for the basic one which can be addictive as it goes higher with its spec sheet in the trim tree. The major rivals of this machinery include the established names of the Hyundai Veracruz, Kia Sorento, and the Honda Pilot. All of them are as equally competitive in all segments as in their price tags and thus it is the consumer which wins in the end.
8.0/10
Features
8.2/10
Engine and Performance
7.0/10
Fuel Economy
7.1/10
Interior
6.5/10
Exterior
8.7/10
Safety
The Toyota Highlander is available in three trims namely the Base, SE, and Limited. The Base and SE can be equipped with two engine variants in two drive layouts while the Limited gets the V6 only. The price variation across the trim occurs with the differences in their abilities and inherent features. The Base gets manual fixing along with cloth trim for the seats which upgrades to leatherette touch with power-flexing in the higher trims. This gap is akin to the superiority in wheel sizing as well, as the Base rests on the 17" 7-spoke machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels while the Limited holds on the 19" 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with dark silver accents. The Manual Air Conditioning also changes to Automatic Climate Control with the eldest sibling. One can also opt for additional packages like the Cold Weather and Technology Package to provide a more enriching experience.
|
Trim |
Base |
SE |
Limited |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP(FWD) |
$28,900 |
$33,505 |
$36,405 |
|
MSRP(4WD) |
$31,505 |
$36,110 |
$37,855 |
|
Key Features |
EPAS |
6-Speaker Audio Unit |
19" 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with dark silver accents |
|
17" 7-spoke machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels |
Heated front seats |
XM satellite radio |
|
|
Electronic Brake-force distribution |
3.5" multi-function display |
Smart Key System |
|
|
TRAC |
HomeLink universal garage door transmitter |
Anti-theft security alarm |
|
|
Hill Start Assist Control |
Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control |
Automatic 3-zone climate control |
We Recommend
If the segment is all about effectiveness then the owner should have the same traits and hence it would be more logical to go with the SE trim as it gets all the features right from the flexibility inside the cabin to comfort and ergonomics for long hauling. This trim can also be upgraded with additional packages. One can even choose from both the available engine variants and drive layouts. So without a doubt, it is the choice for one to go for with exceptional affordability among the siblings.
The 2011 Toyota Highlander gets either an I-4 of 2.7L capacity or a V-6 of 3.5L. The former is capable of producing a power output of 187 hp and a torque of 186 lb-ft while the latter churns out 270 hp and 248 lb-ft respectively. The I-4 variant can be fitted inside the Base and SE only but the V6 is available to all of them either in an FWD or 4WD drive layout. The powertrain unit is finally mated to the 5-speed automatic transmission. As a result of this package, the Highlander can cover a quarter-mile within 17 seconds and the 0-60 mph mark in 9.6 seconds. The figures are a bit lackluster in comparison to others. Not just that, it also hampers its top speed and restrains it to 130 mph only.
|
Model |
2011 Toyota Highlander |
2011 Kia Sorento |
2011 Hyundai Veracruz |
2011 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MSRP |
$30,055 |
$28,390 |
$29,140 |
$29,130 |
|
Engine |
3.5L V6 |
3.5L V6 |
3.8L V6 |
3.5L V6 |
|
Drivetrain |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
FWD |
|
Transmission |
5-Speed Automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
6-Speed Automatic |
5-Speed Automatic |
|
Power (hp @ RPM) |
270 @ 6200 |
276 @ 6300 |
260 @ 6000 |
250 @ 5700 |
|
Torque (lb-ft @ RPM) |
248 @ 4700 |
248 @ 5000 |
257 @ 4500 |
253 @ 4800 |
|
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
9.6 |
6.9 |
8.1 |
8.5 |
|
Quarter mile (seconds) |
17 |
N/A |
15.8 |
16.6 |
|
Top speed (mph) |
130 |
148 |
145 |
118 |
When it comes to the rivalry, the Kia Sorento outclasses all and by a significant margin. Cheaper in its price tag yet more powerful and exhilarating, the Kia Sorento becomes the most desirable among all in this specific category. A lightweight frame and comparable power figures allow it to have a relatively higher power-weight ratio and thus better acceleration prowess clocking the 60mph mark in 6.9 seconds. It is then followed by the Veracruz and Pilot respectively but they have to achieve either a lower step ratio in their gearbox or lower weight to counter Kia dominance and the same strategy can be applied by Toyota also.
The 2011 Toyota Highlander has the ability to return a mileage of 20 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highways, and 22 mpg overall. But as it is rightly said that the higher the capacity gets the lower the efficiency it gives and we could see that statement to be getting true as the V6 variant returns 18 mpg, 24 mpg, and 20 mpg respectively. Along with a fuel tank of 19.2 gallons, the best Highlander can for is 480 miles at the max which reduces to 460 in the V6 setup.
|
Model |
2011 Toyota Highlander |
2011 Kia Sorento |
2011 Hyundai Veracruz |
2011 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MPG (city) |
18 |
20 |
17 |
17 |
|
MPG (Highway) |
24 |
26 |
22 |
23 |
|
MPG (Combined) |
20 |
22 |
19 |
19 |
|
Fuel Capacity |
19.2 |
18 |
20.6 |
21 |
|
Range (City/highway) |
345.60 / 460.8 |
360 / 468 |
350.20 / 453.2 |
357 / 483 |
As per the available spec sheet, the Kia Sorento again takes the limelight with its class-leading mileage of 22 mpg overall. Not just that, it can go up to 468 miles without being out of its breathing. The Highlander shares the reputation with it as well. The Honda Pilot, though, is less efficient but with a bigger fuel tank, it also makes it to the favoritism with its exemplary range coverage of more than 480 miles on the reading scale. And last but certainly not least is the Veracruz which needs a lot of modification to catch up with others.
If you are bound to pay more than $28,000 then you should not be hesitant in digging about what is being offered at all. Fortunately, you can be at ease physically and mentally for the offers as the 2011 Toyota Highlander has been given power-adjustable seats which are heat-assisted and have active-headrest. Leather upholstery along with vinyl accents for the third row is going to be common for the SE and Limited trims while the Base has cloth trim for the same. The ambiance threshold is maintained by the Automatic 3-zone climate control in the Limited but the rest lack this function. In the end, the tech features like the HomeLink universal garage door transmitter, Engine immobilizer, and Anti-theft security alarm which can also be availed of as per trim level, complete the description.
|
Model |
2011 Toyota Highlander |
2011 Kia Sorento |
2011 Hyundai Veracruz |
2011 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Seating Capacity |
7 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
First Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40.6 / 59. 7/ 43.2 |
39.2 / 59.3 / 41.3 |
40.3 / 60.6 / 42.6 |
40.0 / 61.5 / 41.4 |
|
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40.1 / 59.5 / 38.3 |
39.2 / 58.7 / 37.6 |
39.9 / 60.2 / 38.4 |
39.8 / 62.2 / 38.5 |
|
Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
36.3 / 55.0 / 29.9 |
N/A |
36.1 / 56.1 / 31.5 |
38.2 / 58.9 / 32.1 |
|
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
10.3 |
9.1 |
13.4 |
18 |
The capacity to accommodate 7 in a go is standard for all of them except for the Pilot. The Highlander is manageable to a large extent when it comes to its first two rows but it takes a small u-turn for the third row as it can fit no more than children there. The imagery further fades in its cargo capacity as the rivals like Pilot have a segment-leading figure of up to 18 cu-ft. But if viewed on a bigger picture, you would hardly spot a difference in ergonomics variation among them. Thus, they all can be given preference in this parameter with a little bias towards the Honda Pilot.
Some of the features are:
If you have high hopes from the Highlander in this department then sadly it is going to crash heavily like a meteorite as its pool of features includes nothing more than the Bluetooth hands-free phone system, XM satellite radio, and auto sound leveling even for the highest trim. The Base is a next-level disappointment that needs no further elaboration. At the max, one can enjoy the listening curve with its 6-speaker audio unit. A few of the features like the USB input, aux input, and iPod connectivity are the remaining ones that wrap up the whole package.
Some of the features are:
In a simple straightforward way, the 2011 Toyota Highlander looks like a big bully because of its size with a wide front which allows you to have a high crumple zone for impact resilience and negation. It comes with different pairs of wheels among which the 19" 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with dark silver accents and 17" 7-spoke machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels are a few to name. The Toyota Highlander is egalitarian when viewed from an isometric perspective as the Dark silver-painted grille on the front and a power moonroof with sunshade on the top are equally involved in enhancing the appeal altogether. Not just the moonroof but roof rails of chrome accent have also been attached on the top. Thus, it is a perfect blend of all aspects in a literal sense.
|
Model |
2011 Toyota Highlander |
2011 Kia Sorento |
2011 Hyundai Veracruz |
2011 Honda Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
4045 |
3896 |
4266 |
4319 |
|
Length (in.) |
188.4 |
183.9 |
190.6 |
190.9 |
|
Width (in.) |
75.2 |
74.2 |
76.6 |
78.5 |
|
Height (in.) |
68.1 |
67.3 |
68.9 |
71 |
|
Ground Clearance (in.) |
8.1 |
7.5 |
8.1 |
8 |
|
Wheelbase (in.) |
109.8 |
106.3 |
110.4 |
109.2 |
One of the heaviest and longest among all, the Highlander might be comfortable on the inside but struggles around the corner. On the other hand, the Kia Sorento is a benchmark for others as it represents that compactness in this segment without any compromise within the cabin is possible while Veracruz and Honda Pilot follow the same path as that of the Highlander. The Highlander with such dimensions and bulkiness is prone to high turbulence in its rear which can impact its aerodynamics and economy at the same time. The same is true for the Veracruz and Pilot as well. Hence, Kia Sorento offers practicality and others need a ground-up redesign to get away with the loopholes.
Some of the features are:
An overall rating of 4-stars in NHTSA and “Good” throughout in IIHS with “Top Safety Pick” award is a status symbol for the Highlander in its peers. The energy-absorbing panels, Collapsible steering column, and high crumple zone can be among the reasons for the same. But the structural strength is not self-sufficient and needs further assistance from the active and passive features like the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, TRAC, and Electronic Brake-force distribution. The cabin also contains a few of the tech aids like the 3-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags and a Driver’s knee airbag for extra assurance. On the whole, it justifies its price tag with safety prowess and efficiency against uncertainties.
Some of the features are:
The 2011 Toyota Highlander is decently organized and packed as per its price tag. Sound ergonomics, spaciousness, and nice cushioning for long hauling can also be achieved. But it is also true that there are other options like Kia Sorento which have superior powertrain thrust and calmness along with the comparable aforementioned convenience. Therefore, it is very difficult to give it a preference in the first place but it can’t be ignored for too long as well. So, better check other rivals before finalizing the call.
User Overall Rating
Spacious and Versatile
by Trenton Martin
User Overall Rating
Too many dealership visits
by Gene White
User Overall Rating
Feature-packed and solid SUV
by Lonnie Wilkinson
