Toyota Highlander 2021 - American Dream? (ENG) - Test Drive and Review

Toyota Highlander us a large (by European standards) or mid-size (by US standards) SUV or crossover. In Japan and Australia it is known as the Toyota Kluger, because of a trademarked trim name for the Hyundai Terracan. In the US the Highlander is a suburban alternative to the body-on-frame Toyota 4Runner, and in Europe to the Land Cruiser 150. The Highlander is a 7-seater, and it slots above the RAV4. In the US it is a more adventurous alternative to the Sienna minivan.
↔ Toyota Highlander dimensions:
✔ length: 4966 mm
✔ width: 1930 mm
✔ height: 1755 mm
✔ wheelbase: 2850 mm
✔ boot/trunk: 268/658/1909 L
💲 Toyota Highlander starting price: 53 000 euro
💲 Toyota Highlander price as tested: 65 000 euro
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#MarekDrives #ToyotaHighlander #Toyota
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[@MarekDrivesENG]

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[@alwaysiyi272]

I don't know what everyone is complaining about, I like it, it gets better fuel economy than most compact cars, it has good tech and its spacious. I don't mind the CVT, if you don't drive it like a sports car, it just fades into the background and it feels peppy cos of the electric motors have a lot of instant torque.

[@Neatspejamasis]

I think compact cars get better fuel economy.

[@alwaysiyi272]

@@Neatspejamasis if even if they do this huge 3 row SUV gets close to what they get

[@tar2185]

My HL gets 38 mpg on daily basis

[@zmirc]

Exactly

[@zmirc]

@@Neatspejamasis no shit, Sherlock. Of course reducing the weight will reduce fuel consumption, it's like saying the water is wet

[@TheBaldzhi]

In my list..like after 4-5 years 😁 Great review !💪

[@rileypart1]

You guys finally got Highlander nice! 😎

[@robertbruce2182]

Finally a reviewer mentioned the Toyota Kluger

[@markomladenov9624]

This car provides more extras than Mercedes and BMW and Audi. Is more spacious and is half the price it a great car. Thank you very much!

[@edb.8388]

Good review, glad I went with the HL Hybrid... You'll appreciate the hybrid with your gas prices over there.

[@Neatspejamasis]

Marek forgot to tell one thing (which Toyota owners are proud of) - it is reliable:). Made little research and found that 7 seat MPVs still available are Ford S-Max and Galaxy (thought they are gone) and Dacia Lodgy. 45-60k for a family car I think is huge sum. Maybe Škoda Kodiaq is cheaper? For me Toyota cars (at leat these in which I could sit or drive) felt like they are designed just to fill gap in model line up and not make at least decent.

[@jmpb3487]

I'm french.. You have a very good elocution, and a very nice presentation of the vehicle! Felicitations ! Thanks!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Merci. Et comment aimez-vous la voiture?

[@jmpb3487]

@@MarekDrivesENG Je l'aime beaucoup! Il y a un mois j'ai remplacé mon Audi Allroad BiTdi Avus par la Highlander hybrid. (Ce véhicule est très rare en France; je l'ai découvert par hasard en Belgique il y a 2 ans.) La puissance et la montée en régime n'a rien à voir, mais la Highlander est une "invitation à l'aventure". Elle est apaisante, et n'appelle pas les conducteurs énervés à la provocation.😀 C'est la voiture du "conducteur raisonnable au long court", pas une voiture de Go-Fast ou du cadre "trop" dynamique. Je la trouve en tous points raisonnable. Elle consomme très peu puisqu'on est en dessous de 7,5L vérifié ! J'ai préféré Toyota pour leur expérience de l'hybrid léger, la maîtrise de la fabrication, et l'utilisation facile au coût d'usage raisonnable. La Highlander est la synthèse de mes 2 voitures que j'ai préféré; l'Audi Allroad et le Mistubishi Pajero. Break routier et consommation raisonnable de l'une associé à l'espace de l'autre; le confort en plus que les 2 précédentes. Ses aides à la conduites sont efficaces et restent non intrusives. Le seul défaut que je lui trouve est le hayon électrique lent du coffre. Mais elle a tellement de qualités de confort, d'espace, de modularité, d'équipements associé à un coût d'usage faible qu'elle me comble. Le ++, est la très bonne tenue de la côte des véhicules Toyota dans ces gabarits. J'avais hésité avec la Volvo XC90 mais me suis vite ravisé (consommation d'essence, coût d'utilisation et perte financière à la décôte.)

[@MarekDrivesENG]

une "invitation à l'aventure" (...) n'appelle pas les conducteurs énervés à la provocation ❤️

[@aka7kak8]

To get best impression of this HL you need to have a ride on 2nd row, but yes, once you get to driver seat, size is a concern :) for me still managable, after Outback which is just 10cm shorter and narrower. Also it might be important for someone, it starts on electric and only later gives over to ICE, same as rav4 hybrid actually. But as HL is much heavier it also got more powerful drivetrain p810, in fact same as for sienna and rav4 phev. And its electric power nicely matches ICE power for smooth transition. Another concern is braking feel. sometimes, when after light regenerative braking, you need to decelerate more intensively it reacts with a pause, not pleasant feel if distance already small to the car infront. More likely to happen at speeds below 30kmh. Lower spec cars get 8" multimedia and selfsufficient climate control. Not as fancy looking but in practice much more convenient. And even smaller surface of piano black fingerprint/dust magnet. Panoramic roof takes almost 3 cm of head room, higher passengers might find ceiling too low on second row.

[@user-yi3op7pl4e]

So much car for the money. The best brand overall if you value money. No match.

[@tudoriusmaximus]

Hi Marek, for a large SUV, what would be your choice between the Highlander or the Sorento, both hybrids?

[@freestick19822000]

A fantastic review 👍🙂 I belong to etc.. group and surely liking your amazing work. I think there should be a punishment for those watching your videos and not liking it 😉🤠

[@grahamjohnson4702]

Dacia Lodgy, 2,600 litres with al seats folded , 3 child seat fittings and the 3rd row accommodates two adults, only 2 wheel drive but a quarter of the price because I don't need driver aides as I use my head and can turn it to allow my eyes to see and mirrors for reversing with a set of parking sensors.Upto 70 miles per gallon on long runs, 8 year average on all journeys 62 MPG.

[@geokandas]

Great review as always Marek! Any plans to review the new Ford Kuga STLine?

[@MarekDrives]

Not until Ford Poland replaces its marketing and PR.

[@andyburnett8012]

Hi Marek, great review! How do you feel it compares with the lexus rx450h? I have the rx and tow a caravan, but the interior space of the rx is limited. I like the increased size the Highlander will give but in concerned about the reduction in power and down to 4 cylinders instead of a V6. Do you think the Highlander will tow two tonnes adequately?

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I haven't tried the new(ish) RX. The last one I've driven was 4-5 years ago. Also, I've never towed anything for real (I'm shit at reversing with a trailer). With 2 tons being the limit, I'd assume it's better to keep the trailer weight down.

[@DamienMcAvoy]

I have test driven the RX and the Highlander and need to tow a caravan. The HL has a towbar limit of 80kgs which is low. Aiming for 7% noseweight means you won’t get near 2000 kgs. The RX with 8 seats cannot tow anything. I need to look elsewhere. That said it’s a big comfy economical reliable car.

[@coover65]

We had a 1990kg caravan and towed it through three states here in Australia. We were getting 18L/100km while towing, but it towed on freeways effortlessly at 100km/h (60mph). But that's with the 3.5L V6 version which is standard here. The smaller motor only came out with the current model.

[@user-ur5zl3ig5h]

Highlander or Santa Fe? Which would be your choice?

[@AliHijazi]

great review as usual! the car looked practical from the first sight I don't like CVT transmission 7/10 If I were to give it a grade

[@MarekDrives]

Fair enough!

[@geraldmoore6257]

The hybrid CVT is nothing but lubricated planetary gears - no belts, clutches or hydraulics, - nothing to fail. It will last forever.

[@mjehudi]

I and my wife made a test drive this week - very comfortable car! the only thing - there is kind of 'white' noise from behind, as if there is a fan working. we switched off all ventilation, incl seat vent, but that noise persists and gets on nerves. this is the only real drawback. make sure you test drive before ordering one.

[@aka7kak8]

Could be battery fan under 2nd row seat, very important for battery health

[@AlainLesage]

In the us the last row is rated for 3 people If I recall correctly. Shame this is not an 8 seater here in Europe.

[@sergeyeremin8764]

Thank you Marek!!! Great review, finally a bigger car! Always thought of Toyota as being a decent vehicle , but seems they are far behind the trends . And the price - x5 costs that much. Who will pick a Toyota instead?

[@phil8437]

I am a big fan of Toyota, but cars this size are not suitable for roads here in the UK. When you add in the factor of a driver that cannot judge the size of these vehicles (not you Marek!) and take up more of the road that is necessary . Good review thanks.

[@MarekDrives]

It's smaller than the new Defender 110, and that seems to be popular in the UK. Hell, I'm thinking of getting one (90 though).

[@joshbacon8241]

Why don’t right-hand-drive Highlanders get the 12.3 inch infotainment screen that the left-hand-drive ones get, and instead we have to make do with only an 8 inch screen?

[@dashiellstanford1892]

This is coming for the 2023 model year.

[@alexarmenean9077]

Thanks Marek. I've got 3 small children, all still in need of isofix. These 12 minutes with you will cost Toyota a sale. But I thank you! So what can I really choose, in Europe, as a 3 isofix SUV? Q7, 5008, sorento or Kodiaq configured with isofix on front passenger's seat? Did I miss anything? Pray tell. Thanks

[@MarekDrivesENG]

I'm glad I could help, even if I'm the bearer of bad news (for you and for Toyota). If you need an SUV, then your options are limited, and may involve front seat Isofix. If you can still find a new(wish) VW Touran/Sharan, that should have three Isofix across, and even two in the optional 3rd row, as well as one in the front. I'd look at what once used to be minivans, and now are crossovers (Peugeot 5008/Renault Espace), as they have 3 isofix mounting points in the back, and three independently sliding rear seats making it easier to to fit 3 child seats abreast. Just make sure you get a good maintenance deal on the Renault. My experience with the press car was... interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kImckneAq7qBns0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpyyi6CXe82qfpI

[@alexarmenean9077]

@@MarekDrivesENG wow! Thanks for the quick reply! Minivan is out of the question for me. I may as well paint "I like unprotected sex" on the side of it! Thanks for the advice. I guess the 2 real options remain Sorento and Kodiaq. Let the dealers fight it out. PS: I kinda prefer you to Matt Watson: I find you funny, whereas he's often just plain silly. Keep it up!

[@MarekDrivesENG]

The "I like unprotected sex" line deserves to reach a wider audience. Do you mind if I use it once day? :)

[@alexarmenean9077]

@@MarekDrivesENG Feel free. You won't get trademark infringements. But write this on the driver's side. On the passengers side use "increase and multiply and replenish the Earth" (Jesus's Best Seller). This one's free too! Greetings from Romania.

[@silviannistor]

@@alexarmenean9077 I like the unprotected sex thing. But isn t it true, though? ;)) To be on point, i think Renault Espace would serve you better than kodiaq, space-wise. Kids grow fast, and Renault has almost 40 years of experience with utilising space properly. And the petrol engines are both over 200hp. Skoda's engines are, let s say for the most part inadequate. At least don t get that stupid 1.4L turbo, with such a heavy car i don t see it last very long, and you will struggle with it.

[@luperon]

"The sound is hard to connect with the speed of acceleration"....why is this so important? Seems people criticize non important issues. Why not comment on the reliability and cost of maintenance of the European brands that you say are better?

[@MarekDrives]

Just to be clear, which European brands did I specifically say are better?

[@geraldmoore6257]

I agree. Why are people so hung up on how it sounds? They want loud sports cars, rattle bang diesels, and glass packs. The hybrid is mostly silent unless you climb a steep hill or during rapid acceleration. It's all good. I don't get it.

[@aka7kak8]

Sound of eCVT at max power maybe not pleasant but on other hand acceleration on toyota hybrid is consistent and decent. And EVs have no sound or minor buzz on max power, somehow that is not accounted as minus for EVs :)

[@Commentator541]

I usually complain about the price, but this is A LOT of car for the money.

[@coover65]

Brits are paying too much for the Highlander. In Australia the base model is €32,500/£28,800 drive away for the base model.

[@gexpe2003]

Why no full led dash, why no electric gear selector, why so much hard plastic ?

[@podge5555]

This thing starts at over €65k here in Ireland

[@coover65]

Wow! Is that for the base model? In Australia they start at £28,800 drive away for the base model. The top of the range V6 is £53,600 driveaway.

[@zampie001]

Highlander or Sorento hybrid plugin? Thanks

[@MarekDrives]

Depends.

[@blackcyborg009]

From most of the comments of the Aussies and Kiwis, they would prefer the Euro-spec version compared to what is currently offered locally (in terms of features / amenities) In an Australian review, one reviewer mentioned the omission / removal of the Wireless Phone Charger and Digital Rear View Mirror for the Australian-spec version.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

Is Toyota Australia trying to keep the price down?

[@blackcyborg009]

@@MarekDrivesENG Can't say for sure. That being said: One welcome news though is that according to Toyota USA (TMMI Indiana), they are almost finished with the engineering of the 12.3 inch screen for Right Hand Drive markets. Australia will be getting this feature update in Q1 2023......and I assume other RHD markets (e.g. UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Cyprus, etc.) will be getting them next year as well.

[@MarekDrivesENG]

And the screens were supposed to be easier :)

[@blackcyborg009]

@@MarekDrivesENG From what I've been seeing on KZbin, the 12.3 inch screens are good. But for RHD markets, they are currently stuck with the 8 inch unit (until 2022). As what Paul Maric from Carexpert Australia mentioned, the 8 inch screen seemed quite mediocre.

[@nikolayrayanov2895]

Good review, thanks Marek. I'd get the Land Cruiser instead of this.

[@alanh8101]

Great Review Marek 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼I just wonder where Toyota is heading with some of the poor designs around the doors such as trim you mentioned.. For me not sure if I’ll own this particular highlander for pricing wise I’ll jump on used rx350.. Alan H

[@MarekDrives]

It's weird. Maybe the seals on this car were somehow damaged?

[@alanh8101]

@@MarekDrives Maybe but overall you got a good point on that even my self I realize this on my 2019 RAV4 it’s not that it bothers me when I open door see all sand and gravel but when you wash you car and if you are in that area cleaning up and catch some of that on car paint lol - There are good flaws about and bad... But that new Highlander I don’t like design and looks strange even it’s a new platform Design.. Reminds me of that Infinity Whale looking back lol Alan H

[@SuperWolffie]

I love it....just because it is a good looking reliable Toyota with 2000 kg of towing and relaxing driving.....isofix in the third row??? Not handy!!! but on the second row there must be at least be two seats.....but my youngest is 20!!! So, what the heck...hahaha

[@mudman189]

Is this available in EU?

[@andrzejbudzynski9237]

Yes

[@DaveDVideoMaker]

Duh! Poland is in the EU, so it is available there, and other EU countries.

[@janneoksanen4162]

Nice video, although I don't agree that 4x4s or SUVs should need to behave like sports cars. I have had a BMW X3 E83 for three years now, and I HATE the ride. Plus I can't really take it to poor forest roads either. However, with the new Ford Explorer and now this Toyota Highlander, it kind of shows how absurd the hybrid/EV craze in Europe is right now. Neither Explorer or Highlander are particularily "ecological", but yet they weren't offered in Euro market 'til this electric gospel began. Personally, I think already Mk2 or Mk3 Highlanders, with more compact dimensions might had been important models here in EU too, plus they also came with hybrid powertrains.

[@MarekDrives]

I don't expect sporty handling, but that active rear steering, which you can even have on the Renault Espace, does make the car easier to maneuver. The Highlander and the Explorer could be compliance vehicles. They are so heavy, and yet emit so little (on paper) that they could help carmakers bring up their overall emissions average.

[@silviannistor]

What did you hate about the ride in the X3, other than going on forrest roads? This is the reason i bought a Dacia Duster, with a set of A/T tyres, i can go with it wherever i went with my old Pajero in the mountains. Excellent approach and departure angles, 21cm ground clearance. Ride is a bit wobbly, but although i always drove sports cars, it doesn t bother me much. I never drove an X3, but always assumed it drives really good, being a Bmw and not being focused on offroad.

[@wyw201]

How come Euro prices are so much higher than prices in Asia and even US.

[@MarekDrives]

Taxes. There's usually VAT (15-25% percent depending on the country), and higher excise on bigger displacement engines (for example in Poland it's 3% on displacement 2L).

[@coover65]

@@MarekDrives Australians would be screwed if they introduced a displacement tax here. The V6 motor is the more popular version here, and the likes of the Dodge Ram with the 5.7L V8 are becoming increasingly big sellers here.

[@alexandruatanasiu7085]

​@@MarekDrivesAnd the 10% EU import tax for cars manufactured in the US.

[@lucianstinga1587]

A beautiful large car for the US market. To bad that we have almost only skinny cars in Europe. Marek, I have two rhetoric questions for you: why the cars-polution rules are mandatory only in Europe and not in the rest of the world? Second question : it's enough only the Europe to respect these rules and the planet will be saved?

[@MarekDrives]

Not only Europe. Look at California Europe is densely populated (so is California), so it makes sense to limit pollution. No, regulations will not save the planet, but people may.

[@coover65]

We don't have emission rules to the extent they do in Europe. Probably because of our population density, and probably because bushfires here will pollute more than any motor vehicles would.

[@GaganGrewalf095]

Three row cross overs are such a waste. Just make a minivan. I'd take a Sienna over the Highlander any day.

[@MarekDrives]

Me too.

[@mjehudi]

I don't think Sienna is available in Europe, correct me, if I'm wrong

[@GaganGrewalf095]

@@mjehudi Sadly No. Just wishful thinking.

[@aka7kak8]

Sienna is around 520cm long and smaller clearance, even harder to drive in narrow parkings/ streets.

[@kevinn1158]

Toyota design is awful but they are built like tanks. I see the Highlander everywhere here in Toronto.

[@MarekDrives]

Our friend from Vancouver owns one as well, and is very pleased with it. But his kids are all grown up, and even if they need to go somewhere together, child seats are not an issue.

[@gurindersingh1048]

It's good option, buy a 2nd hand electric auto........

[@chrisbrug7924]

No diesel! Sad!

[@coover65]

The Toyota Fortuner fills that gap. That's got the 4cyl 2.8L Turbo Diesel motor, same as in the Hilux. At least the Australian sold Fortuner does. The UK seems to only offer smaller motors in their vehicles. The British Highlander doesn't have the 3.5L V6 which is pretty much standard here.

[@tahshdjrkrrmm]

I do not like toyaota's new designs.

[@nick-g8551]

New sorento looks so much better!

[@GamerX-iw7ut]

I think it has hydraulic steering wheel.

[@MarekDrives]

With those new driver aids I think it has to be electrically assisted.

[@ast5515]

@@MarekDrives It is electric. Hydraulic power steering isn't a thing on any Toyota hybrid. Even the Prius 2 had electric power steering.

[@vvp1002]

No

[@bartoszdygaa2243]

Pierwszy

[@leszko8632]

dygała może byś coś bardziej sensownego i konstruktywnego napisał :)

[@wiesiarybicka5891]

Far from being an American Dream. Not even a middle class dream.

[@ShotaSaLbishviLi]

Great review, but car is shit ))

[@JB-se2ef]

I don’t like it it’s horrible, all-round horrible I don’t think these anything I like about it🤮