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Buyer's Guide · Toyota Highlander · 3-row midsize SUV

Used Toyota Highlander Buyer's Guide

3 min read

Also worth reading: Best Toyota Highlander Years, Toyota Highlander Years to Avoid and Toyota Reliability Guide.

The Highlander is one of the most reliable 3-row family SUVs on the market. The 2GR-FE V6 is legendary, and the platform is genuinely durable for family use.

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Quick Verdict
Overall verdict
4.6/5 · Excellent
Reliability
4.7/5 · Excellent
Best years
2014–2019 (XU50, V6), 2020+ (XU70, V6 or hybrid)
Years to research
2008–2013 (XU40), 2020 (first-year XU70)
Maintenance cost
4.6/5 · Excellent
Parts availability
5.0/5 · Excellent
Ownership cost
4.5/5 · Excellent

Bottom line: Yes.

Overall
★★★★★4.6/5
Choose the V6. The 3rd-gen 2014–2019 (XU50) is the sweet spot — refined, reliable, and cheap to service compared to the Pilot's and Explorer's more complex modern powertrains.
Reliability
★★★★★4.7/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.6/5
Parts availability
★★★★★5.0/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.5/5
Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2014–2019 (XU50, V6)

2GR-FE with 6- or 8-speed automatic. Excellent record and easy to own.

2020+ (XU70, V6 or hybrid)

Newer platform, refined; hybrid variant is genuinely excellent.

Side by side

Toyota Highlander ratings at a glance

CategoryRatingWhat it means
Overall4.6/5Excellent
Reliability4.7/5Excellent
Maintenance4.6/5Excellent
Parts availability5.0/5Excellent
Ownership cost4.5/5Excellent
Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2008–2013 (XU40)

Fine platform but water-pump service and rust are worth verifying.

2020 (first-year XU70)

Some early software and minor build-quality complaints — later builds resolved most.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

  • ✓
    Water pump around 100k on V6
  • ✓
    Rear liftgate strut wear
  • ✓
    AC compressor on high-mileage examples
  • ✓
    Sway-bar link and bushing wear on 150k+ examples
  • ✓
    Interior trim rattles on older examples

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Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

The 2GR-FE V6 is one of the most durable modern V6s. Family owners routinely reach 250,000 miles with only water pumps, brakes, and normal wear items.

Insurance and service costs are close to a Camry despite the extra size and third row.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

Engine
2GR-FE should be silky at idle. Verify water-pump service on 90k+ examples.
Transmission
6AT or 8AT should shift crisply.
AWD
Fluid service and CV boot condition.
Suspension
Struts and bushings on 150k+ examples.
Rust
Rear subframe and rocker panels on Northeast examples.
Living with it

Ownership Experience

  • • Comfortable, quiet, and honest about being a family car. Third row is best for kids, not adults.
  • • Fuel economy is competitive with the V6; the hybrid is genuinely excellent for the size.
  • • Resale value is high, insurance is reasonable, and the parts network is enormous.
The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used Toyota Highlander?

Yes. The XU50 (2014–2019) is one of the best 3-row values on the used market. Verify V6 water-pump service and general condition.

People Also Ask

Is the Toyota Highlander a good used car?

Choose the V6. The 3rd-gen 2014–2019 (XU50) is the sweet spot — refined, reliable, and cheap to service compared to the Pilot's and Explorer's more complex modern powertrains.

How many miles will a Highlander last?

Comfortable, quiet, and honest about being a family car. Third row is best for kids, not adults.

Is the Highlander expensive to maintain?

The 2GR-FE V6 is one of the most durable modern V6s. Family owners routinely reach 250,000 miles with only water pumps, brakes, and normal wear items.

Which Highlander year should I buy?

2014–2019 (XU50, V6) is the range we'd shop first. 2GR-FE with 6- or 8-speed automatic. Excellent record and easy to own.

What are the most common Toyota Highlander problems?

The issues that come up most often are water pump around 100k on V6, rear liftgate strut wear and AC compressor on high-mileage examples. Each one is checkable during a pre-purchase inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the Toyota Highlander?
Our scoring puts the Toyota Highlander at 4.7/5 for reliability. Choose the V6. The 3rd-gen 2014–2019 (XU50) is the sweet spot — refined, reliable, and cheap to service compared to the Pilot's and Explorer's more complex modern powertrains.
Which Highlander years should I avoid?
2008–2013 (XU40) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Toyota Highlander?
2014–2019 (XU50, V6) are the strongest years to target — 2GR-FE with 6- or 8-speed automatic. Excellent record and easy to own.
How long does a Toyota Highlander last?
A well-maintained Highlander from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Highlander expensive to maintain?
The 2GR-FE V6 is one of the most durable modern V6s. Family owners routinely reach 250,000 miles with only water pumps, brakes, and normal wear items.
What should I inspect before buying a used Highlander?
Focus on: Engine, Transmission, AWD, Suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Highlander problems?
Water pump around 100k on V6; Rear liftgate strut wear; AC compressor on high-mileage examples; Sway-bar link and bushing wear on 150k+ examples
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Highlander?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Highlander with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Highlander's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Toyota Highlander?
Yes. The XU50 (2014–2019) is one of the best 3-row values on the used market. Verify V6 water-pump service and general condition.

How the Highlander compares

Side-by-side buying comparisons against the models people cross-shop most.

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