Toyota Highlander 3rd Generation 2014-2019 (XU50) Review

The Highlander was substantially updated for the 2017 model year, with revamped styling and a new engine and transmission. Only a few minor changes were made to the 2019 model.

The front-end design was made a lot sleeker with new, slim LED headlights. The grille has been extensively refreshed fo ra much more aggressive, full-size design¹. It features dark or silver slats, depending on the trim. New vertical foglights are incorporated on either side of the grille², and DRL light strips are integrated into the lower edges of the headlight clusters³. Sportier SE models receive darkened headlights and foglights. Another nip and tuck for the 2019 model year adds LED fog lights with chrome bezels to the Highlander Limited and Limited Platinum.

The rear light clusters retain their shape but are revamped with LED strips in place of the incandescent bulbs¹. Other than that, the rear end remains much like that of the previous model. The new SE gains blackened tail lights.

Updates are far less noticeable in side profile. However, the new front bumper with its upright foglight slots and the slimmer headlights can easily be identified from the side¹, although you'd need eagle eyes to spot the revised taillights². The sporty-looking SE gets special two-tone 19-inch wheel design³, and for the 2019 model year, the LE and XLE trims receive new black rocker panels below the doors.

While the facelift brought with it a lot more standard and optional luxury and safety features, the basic design of the interior remains the same. More trim options are offered and some materials, like seat upholstery, were revised, but the layout has remained the same as before.

At launch, the third-generation Toyota Highlander XU50 was fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder base engine delivering 185 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, driving the front wheels in the entry-level LE trim. Other trims (and the LE V6) and all AWD models make use of a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine with 270 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. The default transmission across the range is a six-speed automatic. The V6 is by far the most popular engine choice and provides decent performance, with 60 mph coming up in a whisker over seven seconds. The base engine is barely adequate and not much lighter on fuel than the V6; it's certainly not worth the worse performance. There is a hybrid drivetrain as well, with the V6 engine mated to a hybrid setup, tuned to provide a combined output of 280 hp. It is mated to a continuously variable transmission, and is AWD-only.

The 2017 facelift retains the four-cylinder base engine and six-speed automatic transmission, but all V6-engined models receive a more powerful version of the 3.5-liter V6 with dual (direct and manifold) injection and increased outputs to 295 hp and 263 lb-ft. The 2017 V6s are mated exclusively to a new eight-speed automatic transmission that proved troublesome at first and led to recalls and some transmission replacements. The V6 hybrid's power output is increased to 306 hp and it carries over the CVT transmission.

Right from the start, the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine's existence was called into question, as it doesn't provide a significant fuel-efficiency benefit over the V6 engine. The EPA claims 20/25/22 MPG on the city/highway/combined cycles for the 2014 Highlander FWD with the four-cylinder engine, while the similarly configured V6 nearly matches it with figures of 19/25/21 MPG. In fact, the 2017 facelifted Highlander receives a more efficient V6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and in that configuration, even the AWD V6 produces better gas mileage than the FWD 2.7.

Once a vehicle has been on the market for a while, enough of them are on the roads to determine what its real-world consumption is. People submit the fuel consumption they achieve with their vehicles to the EPA, which then publishes these figures alongside the EPA-estimated figures. While these user-submitted figures must be taken with a grain of salt because there is little control over the type of usage patterns they represent, they do give an indication of the true state of affairs. Once enough people have submitted their figures, one can average them all out to arrive at a realistic figure. To this end, we can see that the EPA's claims for the Highlander are quite accurate. Most models obtain averaged-out real-world figures that are about the same as the EPA's combined figure, with the exception of the hybrids, which seem to be performing slightly worse than claimed, on average.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

Safety is a third-generation Toyota Highlander strong point. The NHTSA scores the 2014 model five stars overall, with four for the frontal crash and rollover test and five for the side crash. Over at the IIHS, this model scores "Acceptable" for the small-overlap frontal crashes and "Good" for the rest, which is enough to bag it a 2014 Top Safety Pick+ award. The NHTSA's scores for the 2017 facelift are identical, but the IIHS tests of the same model demonstrate that Toyota improved safety, with the driver-side small-overlap frontal crash getting a "Good" score (the passenger side achieved the same "Acceptable" score as before) and the Highlander again earns a Top Safety Pick+ award. The third-generation Highlander is very good in terms of safety, and still makes for good family transport even by more modern standards.

The 3rd-gen Highlander's standard safety specification is also comprehensive, with even the base 2.7-liter 2014 model coming as standard with no fewer than eight airbags, as well as stability control, automatic headlights, a hill-hold function, ABS brakes with brake assist, and a rear-view camera. For the 2017 facelift, safety is substantially shored up, with the Toyota Safety Sense bundle becoming available as standard on all trims, adding automatic high beams, forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure intervention.

At launch, the 3rd-gen Toyota Highlander's gas-powered lineup comprised five main trims, namely LE, LE Plus, XLE, Limited, and Limited Platinum, with some models branching out from these. For example, the base 2WD LE could be had with either the four-cylinder or V6 engine and it also offered a V6 4WD. All the other trims - LE Plus, XLE, Limited, and Limited Platinum - could be had in either 2WD or 4WD and used the V6 engine by default. This arrangement continued for the first three years, but the 2017 facelift also introduced the SE trim in either 2WD or 4WD. The 2014 Highlander Hybrid was only offered in Limited and Limited Platinum trims at launch and had to wait until the 2017 facelift before LE and XLE trims were added.

The 3rd-generation Toyota Highlander has accommodation for up to eight people but, as is often the case with mid-size SUVs, three in the back row is a squeeze and even two will have limited space for their limbs. There isn't much cargo space behind the third row - only 13.8 cubic inches. Folding the third row increases this figure to 42.3 cubic feet (42 for the hybrid) and folding the second row as well opens up a cavernous 83.7 cubic feet (a maximum of 83.2 for the hybrid), turning the SUV into a van.

Even the LE trim is well-equipped, especially the facelifted one, but there is better value to be had elsewhere in the lineup. Toyota offers many trim levels, so there is a Highlander for every taste. LE Plus adds a few useful features and XLE starts to become luxurious, with leather trim included. This is also the trim on which the sporty SE is based. You have to go all the way up to Limited Platinum before you get adaptive cruise control or a heated steering wheel though, and it's worth noting that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are nowhere to be found, even in 2019 flagship trims.

Most of the things that can go wrong with the 3rd-gen Highlander are recall or warranty issues that should've been attended to when the car was new. As always, proper maintenance is critical on older vehicles in order to keep them reliable and many headaches can be avoided by changing the engine oil frequently, as well as the transmission fluid. A service record with evidence of this can offer a lot of peace of mind. Keep in mind that a hybrid battery will start to degrade from about ten years of age and a replacement costs nearly $5,000.

Toyota recommends that the engine oil and filter be replaced every 10,000 miles unless the vehicle is operated under severe conditions, such as on dirt roads, in freezing temperatures, or with extended periods of idling, such as in taxi duty - in which case the interval is 5,000 miles. At those 5,000-mile intervals, Toyota also rotates the tires and inspects all the other fluid levels, as well as the brakes and wipers. Every 10,000 miles, the cabin air filter is replaced. Every 30,000 miles, the engine's air filter is replaced and vehicle systems, such as the 4WD system, are inspected. All engines use a timing chain, not a belt, so this item should last a long time and not require periodic replacement as long as you stick to your scheduled oil changes.

Technical Service Bulletins according to the NHTSA. Check service book for:

Most of the 2014-2019 Toyota Highlander problems are well-known and most were rectified under warranty or recall. A few minor issues popped up over the years and while these aren't widespread enough to deserve their own sections in this report, we mention them here.

Some minor problems worth mentioning include:

• Facelift 2017 Toyota Highlander windshield-cracking problems apply to other years as well and serve as a reminder of how complicated cars have become. If you've cracked a windshield and need to have it replaced, keep in mind that you'll have to have the sensitive windshield-mounted camera and driver-assistance equipment recalibrated at your own cost.
• There is a 2014 Toyota Highlander airbag and safety problem recall dealing with an issue where the restraint systems might not restrain heavier passengers adequately in a crash due to being programmed with incorrect software.
• The third-generation 2014 Toyota Highlander 2.7's leak problems with water escaping from the cooling system in a few cars are also not commonplace enough to establish a worrisome pattern. Most used-car buyers shun the weak four-cylinder anyway, so it shouldn't present a problem.
• There were also some 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Toyota Highlander power door lock problems, although this can also occur on 2014 and 2019 models.
• Oxygen sensors can go bad, triggering error codes such as P2195, P2197, and C1201. These cost between $350 and $550 to replace.
• Models with the JBL audio system can suffer from speaker rattles, vibrations, and buzzes. There are tutorials on the internet showing how to fix this problem at home.
• All engines can suffer from oil leaks at high mileages, but the V6 engine is especially prone to develop an oil leak at the cam position sensor's bolt hole.

As seems to be the case with many complicated modern cars, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Toyota Highlander electrical problems do occur but seem to have been mostly sorted out by 2019. It seems as though 2014, 2015, and 2016 Toyota Highlander AWD, hybrid battery, key fob, brake, console, voice recognition, mass air flow meter, and starting problems are all exceedingly rare. Likewise, in terms of the facelifted model, there doesn't seem to be any uptick in 2017, 2018, and 2019 Toyota Highlander AWD, hybrid battery, battery-draining, key fob, console, cruise control, panoramic sunroof, engine, start-stop, vibration, defogger, brake, or other mechanical problems either, with all these systems remaining relatively trouble-free. There is also no need to worry about 2017/2018 Toyota Highlander 2GR-FKS problems - this more powerful V6 engine is just a refined version of the reliable pre-facelift V6 and still a durable power plant.

It's worth keeping in mind a few common error codes:

• The Toyota Highlander code P0025 could indicate Toyota Highlander crankshaft sensor problems, because it means that the ECM has determined that the exhaust variable cam timing is incorrect.
• The Toyota Highlander code P0741 refers to a difference of more than 200 rpm in the speed of the transmission's torque converter and input shaft.
• The Toyota Highlander code P0909 refers to a transmission gate select control error that could indicate disconnected or damaged wiring in the powertrain control module.
• The Toyota Highlander code P0990 could refer to various problems, including low or dirty transmission fluid, a faulty transmission fluid pressure switch, or damaged connectors or wiring.
• The Toyota Highlander code B2313 refers to an anomalous exhaust gas recirculation sensor B circuit reading.
• The Toyota Highlander code P0171 is for an oxygen sensor not registering enough oxygen in the exhaust tract.
• The Toyota Highlander code B1876 refers to a seat-belt pretensioner circuit failure.
• The Toyota Highlander U0142 code means that communication with the Body Control Module B has been lost.
• The Toyota Highlander U0155 code means that communication with the instrument panel cluster (IPC) has been lost.

The most noted 3rd-gen Highlander problems are as follows:

Besides all the recalls mentioned above there were several others issued. Some 2014-model Toyota Highlander car seat problems were noted in a recall that involved a few thousand cars in which the second- and third-row seats might not be properly secured in their floor rails, increasing the risk of injury in a crash, should the seats come loose. There was also a brake wire recall on the 2016 Toyota Highlander to address an issue where a wire connecting the brake-level sensor to the wiring harness has not been plugged in, failing to alert the driver of a low brake fluid level. There was a 2016 recall for the Toyota Highlander's front cowling that may admit water, which could then penetrate the windshield-mounted wiring harness and, ultimately, the engine control module (ECM). On the 2014 Highlander, almost 16,000 units were recalled to fix a fuel-supply pipe that may leak fuel into the engine bay, posing a fire risk. 2016, 2018, and 2019 models were recalled for either incorrect or degrading load-capacity labels that may lead to the vehicle being overloaded. Just over 6,000 2018 models were recalled for a brake-assist vacuum that may fail, leading to a loss of brake assistance.

In terms of equipment, the LE and LE Plus models are a bit bare-bones, especially the pre-facelift models. From the 2017 model year, there are a lot more safety features added, but these models are still not what you would consider luxurious. Don't even consider the base four-cylinder either, as it offers no fuel-economy advantage. The SE should also be avoided, as the sports suspension just spoils the ride and is at odds with a family vehicle.

The sweet spot in the pre-facelifted lineup in terms of standard equipment is the XLE, offering the minimum number of features and luxuries one would expect from a modern SUV. Of course, the indulgent Limited models are the ultimate 3rd-gen Highlanders if you can get one that has been well cared for at a good price. The V6 2WD will go most places, has ample power, and the drivetrain is tough and reliable. The facelifted Highlander from the 2017 model year and on is lighter on fuel, looks significantly more modern, and comes with a suite of driver-assistance features as standard. As a proper family hold-all, it is an excellent SUV, as long as you're aware of the transmission recalls. Try to find one where the transmission has a clean bill of health or has been replaced under the recall. The transmission must be quiet and smooth and should last a long time once sorted out. We'd go for a late-model 2019 XLE or Limited if the budget allows.

The third-generation Toyota Highlander is not the most spacious, the fastest, or the safest SUV around, but it offers a superb blend of abilities and, by and large, the expected Toyota reliability. If you only want the third row for occasional use, it has more than enough space for the family. Most of the problem areas were sorted out under warranty or recall, so a well-maintained Highlander that has a Toyota service history, low mileage, and up-to-date recall history should provide many years of trouble-free service.