2025 Toyota Highlander SUV

　　2025 Toyota Highlander Review

　　byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　11/28/2023

　　Overview

　　Toyota's lineup is filled with no less than eight distinct SUVs, with the 2025 Highlander landing right in the middle. This three-row midsize SUV is more suited for growing families than the smaller RAV4, though perhaps not as accomplished as the larger Grand Highlander that debuted last year. It's been five years since the Highlander received a redesign, so it seems likely that we could see a styling refresh for 2025.

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Comfort and efficiency

The current Toyota Highlander gets up to an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in combined city and highway driving. That's slightly better than other SUVs in the class, and though it may not seem like much on the surface, over time it can save you quite a bit. In zzdcar' testing, we easily exceeded those estimates. If your priority is efficiency, we suggest checking out the Highlander Hybrid, which is reviewed separately. The Highlander also gets high marks for overall comfort thanks to its generously cushioned seats, smooth ride quality and quiet interior. Combined with the strong fuel economy figures, that makes for a great road-trip vehicle or daily commuter.

　　

Competitors to consider

Although the Highlander gets high marks for efficiency, it's outshone by the dominant Kia Telluride and related Hyundai Palisade. They're both more enjoyable to drive, deliver a few more features for the money, and are more spacious and refined inside. And with the introduction of the Grand Highlander last year, the standard Highlander isn't even the best midsize in Toyota's lineup.

　　zzdcar says

　　The Toyota Highlander will save you at the gas pump, but its limited interior space has us recommending the larger and newer Grand Highlander instead. You'll have a much easier time accommodating passengers and cargo while still getting strong fuel economy numbers.