The Toyota Highlander is a three-row midsize SUV built on a car-style unibody platform, which means it rides and handles more like a tall wagon than a truck. That makes it a popular choice for families who want seating for up to eight, a quiet cabin, and the day-to-day driving manners of a sedan. Recent model years are offered in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with trim levels that range from well-equipped base models to leather-lined, feature-heavy versions.<\/p>\n
Powertrain choices have evolved across recent years. Highlanders have been sold with a 3.5L V6<\/strong> paired to an eight-speed automatic, a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder<\/strong> that replaced the V6 in later years, and a 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid<\/strong> system that uses an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (a CVT, which has no fixed gears and keeps engine speed in its most efficient range). The hybrid is the fuel economy leader of the lineup and does not need to be plugged in \u2014 the battery recharges from the engine and from braking.<\/p>\n The Highlander has a reputation for straightforward, predictable ownership. Most of what it asks for is routine: oil and filter changes, tire rotations, cabin and engine air filters, brake inspections, and periodic fluid services. Toyota’s maintenance schedule for most recent gas Highlanders runs on roughly 10,000-mile or 12-month intervals<\/strong> for oil changes with full-synthetic oil, with a more thorough inspection every 30,000 miles. Always confirm against the maintenance guide for your specific year and engine.<\/p>\n The Highlander is usually the family’s main vehicle, which is exactly why dropping it at a shop for a day is inconvenient \u2014 it’s the car that handles the school run, the commute, and the weekend. A mobile mechanic comes to your driveway or workplace parking lot and performs the work while the vehicle sits where it normally sits.<\/p>\n A large share of Highlander service is well suited to on-site work, including:<\/p>\n Work that requires a lift, tire machine, or specialized hybrid high-voltage servicing is better handled in a facility, and a good mobile mechanic will tell you that up front rather than guessing. For everything else, having the diagnosis and the repair explained in your own driveway \u2014 with the old parts in hand \u2014 is usually the clearest, least stressful way to maintain a family SUV.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Toyota Highlander is a three-row midsize SUV known for comfortable family hauling, a well-proven V6 and hybrid powertrains, and low-drama long-term ownership. Recent model years pair available all-wheel drive with Toyota Safety Sense driver aids as standard equipment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_novo_reviewed":"0","_novo_make_slug":"toyota","_novo_model_name":"Highlander","_novo_years":"","_novo_spec_engine":"3.5L V6 \/ 2.4L turbo I4 \/ 2.5L I4 hybrid","_novo_spec_transmission":"8-speed automatic \/ eCVT (hybrid)","_novo_spec_drivetrain":"FWD \/ AWD","_novo_spec_mpg":"21-26 combined (gas) \/ 35-36 combined (hybrid)","_novo_spec_seats":"7-8","_novo_spec_body":"Midsize 3-row SUV","_novo_rating":4.7,"_novo_rating_label":"","_novo_year_ratings":[],"_novo_owner_reviews":[],"_novo_comparisons":[],"_novo_intro_heading":"","_novo_features":["Three-row seating for up to eight with second-row bench or captain's chairs","Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance suite as standard equipment","Available all-wheel drive with driver-selectable drive modes","Available 2.5L hybrid powertrain that never needs plugging in","Touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto","Power liftgate with available hands-free operation","Available panoramic moonroof and heated\/ventilated front seats","Up to roughly 5,000 lb tow rating on properly equipped V6 and turbo models"],"_novo_faqs":[{"q":"How often does a recent Toyota Highlander need an oil change?","a":"Most recent Highlanders use full-synthetic oil on a roughly 10,000-mile or 12-month schedule, whichever comes first. If you do a lot of short trips, towing, heavy idling, or dusty-road driving, Toyota's severe-service guidance shortens that interval \u2014 many owners settle around 5,000 to 7,500 miles in those conditions. Check the maintenance guide for your exact year and engine."},{"q":"Is the Highlander Hybrid's battery something I'll have to replace?","a":"The high-voltage hybrid battery is designed to last the life of the vehicle for most owners and carries a long factory warranty, with coverage terms varying by model year and state. Far more common is the small 12-volt battery, which powers the electronics and typically needs replacement every few years like on any other car."},{"q":"Does the Highlander need timing belt service?","a":"No. The 3.5L V6, 2.4L turbo four, and 2.5L hybrid engines all use timing chains, which are lubricated by engine oil and are not on a scheduled replacement interval. Keeping up with oil changes is the single best thing you can do for chain life."},{"q":"Can brake service be done at my house?","a":"Yes, in most cases. Brake pad and rotor replacement is one of the most common mobile jobs on the Highlander and can be completed on a level driveway or parking space. If an inspection turns up a seized caliper, a damaged brake line, or corrosion that needs a lift to address safely, we'll tell you before any work begins."},{"q":"What should I check when buying a used Highlander?","a":"Look for service records showing regular oil changes, check for even tire wear and a straight-tracking steering wheel, test every power accessory including the liftgate and third-row seats, and listen for any whine or roughness during a cold start. A pre-purchase inspection can be performed where the car is parked, including at a private seller's home."},{"q":"Do AWD Highlanders need extra maintenance?","a":"A little. All-wheel-drive models add a transfer case and rear differential with their own fluids that should be inspected and changed per the maintenance schedule, more often if you tow. Matching tire tread depth across all four corners also matters more on AWD than on front-wheel drive."}],"_novo_target_keyword":"","_novo_meta_title":"","_novo_meta_description":"","footnotes":""},"novo-vehicle-kinds":[34],"novo-makes":[95],"novo-problems":[],"novo-body-types":[209],"novo-fuel-types":[212],"class_list":["post-1072","novo_vehicle","type-novo_vehicle","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-vehicles\/1072","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-vehicles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/novo_vehicle"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-vehicles\/1072\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1093,"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-vehicles\/1072\/revisions\/1093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1072"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novo_vehicle_kind","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-vehicle-kinds?post=1072"},{"taxonomy":"novo_make","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-makes?post=1072"},{"taxonomy":"novo_problem","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-problems?post=1072"},{"taxonomy":"novo_body_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-body-types?post=1072"},{"taxonomy":"novo_fuel_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.novorepairs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novo-fuel-types?post=1072"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What It’s Like to Own<\/h2>\n
Items worth staying ahead of<\/h3>\n
\n
Why Mobile Repair Fits the Highlander<\/h2>\n
\n