Toyota Highlander (2021 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]
Summary
New to UK in 2021, though it’s been on sale in other markets for some years, the Toyota Highlander arrives as the brand’s largest SUV – bigger than the RAV4 and with its seven-seat capacity not as off-road pitched as the Land Cruiser.
Carbuyer calls the Highlander “Toyota’s ultimate family vehicle” while The Sun comments; “It’s quiet, efficient, easy, super-comfy, spacious, swimming in kit and surprisingly easy to place on the road.”
Space and how it is used earns the most plus points amongst Highlander reviewers. As well as the useful rear row of seats, the middle row slides forwards and backwards by some 18cm. The flexibility, many storage spaces and lots of equipment also tick the boxes, though Top Gear comments that the fit and finish “feels a couple of generations old, especially in terms of the graphics on the displays – not as slick or as pretty as the competition.”
The Highlander’s hybrid powertrain combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with electric motors on both axles, so it’s not short of power. The ride comfort comes in for praise too, though it feels its size in corners. Autocar says that it “doesn’t offer a particularly dynamic or involving drive.”
Equipment levels are impressive, extending to panoramic sunroofs, multimedia displays and 11-speaker sound systems. But as reviewers point out, all the kit makes this a big, expensive SUV against favourites such as the Kia Sorento, while also bringing within range tempting premium badges from the likes of Audi and Volvo. And against some stylish opposition, the Highlander’s somewhat bland visual presence becomes all the more obvious.
Based on initial UK reviews, Toyota Highlander holds an Expert Rating of 62% as of December 2021, based on 12 reviews.
Highlander highlights
- Lots of interior space and versatility
- Efficient and potent hybrid powertrain
- Quality fit and finish
- Extensive equipment list
Highlander lowlights
- Extensive kit makes car pricey
- Struggles for identity among many rivals
- Exterior dull
- Interior feels previous-generation
Key specifications
Body style: Large seven-seat SUVEngines: petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £50,110 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“The Toyota Highlander holds a strong hand when graded against some of the more everyday requirements of a full-size family SUV: versatility, practicality and very competitive running costs.”
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“The Highlander combines generous equipment levels with an attractive price and Toyota’s proven hybrid technology.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Score: 7 / 10“The Toyota Highlander finds itself in a niche almost by itself. It’s more powerful, better furnished and more expensive than other hybrid seven-seaters, while cheaper, perhaps less polished and without the potential BIK and other advantages of similarly sized premium plug-in hybrids.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“The Toyota Highlander is spectacularly fit for purpose. It’s comfortable to drive, with remarkable refinement, impressive economy and plenty of space.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybridScore: 8 / 10“The Toyota Highlander will no doubt go down a storm with in-market SUV buyers. It’s big, comfortable and practical and, as a result, will be a hit with families. The low running costs afforded by the hybrid powertrain will also prove appealing, either to private users or business owners, too.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.4 / 10“The Toyota Highlander offers families lots of space in a reliable package.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid Excel“Excellent emissions and running costs. It’s priced to compete with premium rivals but practicality and space are good.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Score: 8.2 / 10“A capable and seriously practical family SUV with hybrid power as standard.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: “The Toyota Highlander is efficient, easy, spacious and surprisingly easy to place on the road.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Score: 6 / 10“Launching a large SUV seems crazy in the current climate, but this economical hybrid could turn out to be a very smart move for Toyota.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Score: 5 / 10“The Toyota Highlander suffers mainly from an excess of middle-of-the-road. It’s fine, but fine isn’t quite good enough.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Score: 8 / 10“The Toyota Highlander is an exceptionally sensible choice in the luxury SUV class.”
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Safety rating
No safety rating
As of December 2021, the Toyota Highlander has not been tested by Euro NCAP. However as a range-topping high-specification model it includes as standard Toyota’s Safety Sense active safety package with wide-ranging autonomous braking systems.
Eco rating
No eco rating
The Toyota Highlander has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic before resuming later in the year.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Toyota Highlander, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q7 | Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento | Land Rover Discovery | Lexus RX L | Nissan X-Trail | Peugeot 5008 | SEAT Tarraco | Skoda Kodiaq | SsangYong Rexton | Volkswagen Touareg | Volvo XC90
The Toyota Highlander takes on a great many rivals with big reputations. Reviewers conclude that against established favourites such as the Kia Sorento, Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Kodiaq, the big Toyota will struggle to establish itself. Its price also puts premium SUVs such as the Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90 into the same consideration pot, and their badges may tempt buyers away from the Toyota.
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Keyword: Toyota Highlander