Anyone own a Highlander or similar SUV?

The wife is wanting a crossover/SUV with a 3rd row of seating. So has anyone on here owned a Toyota Highlander and what did you think about it? I've tried to steer her towards the 4runner with the optional 3rd row, but you lose all the cargo space and she likes the 2nd row captains chairs in the Highlander.

We've also considered the Grand Cherokee, Durango, Tahoe, Sequoia, etc...

• The Cherokee and Durango have a lot of nice features/options, but bad reviews on the reliability of the mechanical systems which concerns me.
• The Tahoe and Sequoia are the largest and would have the most room for family, friends, and gear but they are so dang expensive. Towing is the best with these.
• The 4runner gets my vote, but less cargo space with 3rd row and no captain's chairs.
• The Highlander is more of a minivan than an SUV but it has the captains chairs and a 3rd row, plus some decent features for a price I can afford... which is pushing it to the top of the list.

 

Check out the Honda Pilot. We have had a 2011 (put 70k Hard miles on it) and currently a 2013 EX-L 35k miles and both were/are trouble free (leather,nav,moonroof,standard 3rd row) and with the 3rd row up there is still room for some cargo. We love ours, and probably will buy another one when its time. A loaded EX-L like ours can be had for mid to high 20s certified preowned and new about 30-32k in our area in DFW,Tx

 

If it's new, then don't worry about the jeep. You always have the warranty for the first year or so.

My choice would be in order:

Tahoe
4Runner
Jeep

All the others are too girly

 

I really liked my Highlander Limited. Plush....

p.s. A kid T-boned me, it was totaled. I walked away with 15K from his insurance. I don't think you will get that for a 10 year old jeep.

 

my mom has a highlander and its a pretty damn sweet ride. rides like a dream! she has 0 complaints. we also have a Honda pilot with 250k+ on it and its still going strong. of course the usual maint has been done but its still a solid vehicle. mom gave the pilot to my dad after she was tired of driving it.

 

Mom had a toyota highlander.. She liked it i think, it started making somewierd noises after 100k miles so she traded it for the 4 runner and loved it. If you live in anywhere that snows i would go with the 4 runner because of the 4x4. Girlfriend owned a rav 4, its soupose yo be AWD all the time or whatever, but man that thing could get freaking sidways in the snow better then my truck could haha. plus the rav 4 is shitty on gas.
I would get the 4 runner personally, but the new highlanders are pretty nice also.

 

Love my 4Runner man.

Recently drove a '15 Highlander & '16 Pilot both top trim levels with adaptive cruise ect. Both very nice tho I preferred the Toyota. The pilot does offer lane keeping assist which isn't available on the Highlander. It has lane warning but doesn't steer itself.

All that said, I like the sequoia too...body on frame gets my vote everytime but, the $$ for the higher trim is up there...

Have you checked out the Acura MDX & RDX or Lexus RX & GX? Only the GX is body on frame. It's like a nicer 4Runner Limited with a V8.

 

i had a new grand cherokee for a loaner for a week, didnt like it, i felt like like i was gonna break something. imo jeep has to put in a lot of effort/time to regain public trust on them as far as reliability.
i test drove a highlander a few months ago out of boredom, it rode nice...i wouldnt buy one tho, it looks too much like a soccer mom van.

 

I have an '04 Highlander I bought new. V6. 107k now. It's lived outside in Florida sun, and I've not loved on it enough, so the clearcoat is failing.

I've had of course routine maintenance/wear items of fluids, tires, brakes (at 80k), alignments. Recently a set of rear struts. Routine PM of t belt and ancillaries that get touched on the way in and out at 95k.

Only thing I call 'repair' issues have been leaking valve cover gaskets (@100k) and a taillight bulb.

 

Running actual winter tires, like Blizzracks or Nokias? Or just running half worn 3 seasons?

 

Brand new firestone AT tires. shit you not man! Lol

 

So that would be a 'no'.

When you read a description like "Destination A/T tires combine ride quality and noise comfort with year-round traction in dry, wet and wintry weather, even in light snow" that does not describe a winter tire. It describes a 3 season tire that will work in snow if you get lucky.

Shod that thing with a set of actual winter tires, and it will be a whole new ballgame.

 

We looked at a Ford Explorer, Ford Flex, Chevy Traverse, Chevy Tahoe, and Yukon XL last weekend. Of those vehicles we liked the Ford Explorer the best. I've always been a little bit partial to Chevy, but the Ford interior felt like it was higher quality than the Chevys. I was honestly disappointed in the Chevy interiors. For example, the Ford and the Chevy both had push button fold down third row seats and the Ford's folded down in a smooth quiet motion, while the Tahoe was jerky and made loud electronic motor sounds. Tomorrow we're hoping to go check out the Toyota Highlander and 4runner but my wife caught a cold so it depends on how she's feeling tomorrow.

 

Why would u need the cargo space?
Do you have kids or something?
I mean how often would u use that space?
You do have a roof rack if u REALLY need the space...
And your DCSB should have ample space.

Get a 4Runner TRD PRO.

Don't cheap out, cuz in the long run, you will end up upgrading the ride anyway... suspension, lockers, etc...
(I say that because you are a TW member & TW members are always trying to make their ride better)

my vote would be 4Runner. It's Toyota. It is reliable.

My fiancé had a 4Runner for 21 years and its still running.

I had a jeep cherokee (94) once and it went to 400,000 + miles but that was after a transmission swap and rigorous maintenance.

EDIT: My brother has a 2012 chevy suburban and he likes it except for the quality of the mechanics.

Hope this little rant helps, Dalton.

 

Whatever you do, DONT buy a Chrysler (Durango or Cherokee which are basically the same vehicle with different badging). They are garbage straight off the lot.

 

Thanks for the rant, but don't worry I'm keeping my DCSB and will continue upgrading it. I'm just looking to upgrade my wife from a Camry to an SUV so she can haul around the kids, dog, and all that stuff. And yes, we have 2 boys (2 and 3 years old) so we definitely need the space. There's hardly enough room in my DCSB for all of us plus everything else we need to haul around. A canopy would be life changing, but I really prefer the look of my truck without a canopy... life is full of tough choices haha. I'm definitely biased toward Toyota products because I've owned 5 Toyota trucks and 1 Camry.

 

Made this exact same decision about a year ago. I've got the Tacoma; had to upgrade the wife from a Jetta to something larger for two young kids + gear. Just needed space, versatility, reliability.

Went with an '11 Highlander. RAV4 class size didn't seem like enough for two kids- you can fit everything, but then you're planning to be at capacity all the time. Better to have the extra 25% space for when there's unexpected cargo or a grandparent. We talked over the question of do you need third row seats or not - turns out yes, we very frequently have had an aunt or grandma along that would have otherwise forced us to two cars.

I'm a fan of Toyotas since my first '79 Corolla, but the Highlander won out on all the little merits, too: way better visibility than an Explorer, better backseat space than a Grand Cherokee - the rear seats were set too far rearward in the door openings, if that makes sense; would have made in-and-out of a rear-facing car seat a back-stretching hassle.

We found a 2011 highlander via private party sale for substantially less than equally-aged other options. My taco is the off-road machine; for a family mover and grocery getter the Highlander is excellent, and I'd make the same purchase again.

Good luck!

 

We also have 2 little boys, I also have a DCSB, and my wife has a Highlander. I think it's the perfect combination, as the space in the Highlander makes for a much more useful daily family vehicle, and my truck works fine for that when we need it to as well, there just isn't the space in the truck to keep all the kid stuff in it all the time like we can with the Highlander.

A canopy would also be life changing for me for family hauling, but would negate the whole reason I have a truck bed. If we didn't also have an SUV, I'd probably have to have a canopy. The Highlander is awesome in the snow, and also serves us well for short, mild offroad family adventures (day trips and 1 night camping that doesn't require bringing a ton of stuff).

 

My wife currently drives the Awd Rav4 and I commute with an older one into the city. They are a great car in the snow (less than a foot and I find tire selection sucks because of size) and we average about 27 mpg but they lack the room. My mother has a Highlander and it is a still a great car at 100,000 miles. My wife really wants to get the Highlander as her next car but I am trying to talk her in the 4Runner for a few reasons. I tow a atv trailer and I borrow my buddies large trailer for big stuff so they way I see it is if I am going to spending 32,000 on a vehicle I want it to tow comfortably 2k to 3k with my family inside the car. The Highlander is built for comfort and people hauling and nothing else...just like the Rav4's. So for 2000 dollars more (SR5 4runner) I can have an extra tow vehicle and the extra room. Granted the Highlander will have more amenities at that price point but my wife and I are simpletons. Secondly these crossover are great vehicles but again when fully loaded with people and bags they become a little sketchy which is why I have my taco. They have become larger cars with lift kits. OP I would steer clear of any GM and Jeep product unless you like visiting the mechanic...


bigd9247...I thought the same way you did in regards to a canopy however I only have one kid and my cap was worth every single penny I spent on it. I could not imagine not having a shell now.

 

Well make sure she isn't the lady in a highlander who just pulled in front of me as I was passing where she turned onto highway. Lady turned in front and stops ...dumb bitch lol. BTW swerved and missed her dumbass....