2004 Toyota Highlander Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

Energized by a more powerful V6, an available third-row seat and new safety features, the Highlander is again one of our top recommendations for those who need SUV utility but don't want any unnecessary bulk or fuel bills.

Pros

Seats up to seven, carlike ride and handling, smooth and powerful V6 engine, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, lots of safety features.

Cons

Gets expensive quickly, limited towing and off-road ability, bland personality.

What's New for 2004

For 2004, a larger 3.3-liter V6 replaces the 3.0-liter engine, resulting in 10 extra horsepower for a total of 230. Additionally, a fold-flat third-row seat (for two passengers) is now optional on base models and standard on the Limited. To keep the extra passengers content in back, a rear DVD entertainment system is available on Limited models. On the safety front, all Highlanders now come with an electronic stability control system and a tire-pressure warning system, while side curtain airbags for the first and second rows are optional across the board. Rounding out the changes are freshened exterior styling, new seat fabric, new instrument and door panel trim and a 5-hp boost for the base four-cylinder engine (now rated at 160).

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Excellent Buy

Written by: Big E on 08/09/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	8

Vehicle

2004 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I have owned my highlander for one month now. I am well pleased with it. The tire monitoring system is excellent it warns me if the tires are low while driving @ high speed. I recommend the purchase of this car.

Favorite Features

The sound system is excellent. No blind spot. Drives like a car. Seats are comfortable. Driver side seat is all automatically control.

Suggested Improvements

Needs more leg room in the front...less in the back. Darker interior. Better gas mileage.

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Love It!

Written by: RLH on 04/15/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	10

2004 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

This is the second Highlander I have owned and my wife and I love It! We owned our first one in 2003 and it was great. Third row seating and a few other options were the reason we traded a year later. For those of you that are annoyed with the tire pressure light, keep your tires inflated above 29 psi and this should solve your problem. I've towed a 24 foot boat to the beach and the handling was solid and precise. The 4 wheel disc brakes were amazing in stopping the 3000lbs. behind me. As with any vehicle you must have the proper maintenance performed at recommended intervals and don't wait until a problem arises then blame it on the vehicle. I also own a Toyota Tacoma pick-up for work!

JBL sound system is GREAT!!!!! Heated Leather Seats, Stability Control System, Ride and Handling. Came standard with Michelin Tires!

Get rid of the sun-roof! It's a waste of money and it's about a $1000 option on the Limited Package which is usually installed on most in stock models.

Happy with a few issues

Written by: Bob E on 04/01/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	8

2004 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)

85k miles and going very strong. Love how easy it is to park and handle. Gets 23 mpg on highway - not bad. No serious issues. This is my 5th straight Toyota (Camry, Avalon, Highlander) Issues include: original tires lasted 28k miles; transmission slow to shift/hesitates a second or so at times which is annoying; some hunting in 3rd gear at lower (30-40 mph) speeds so I take it out of OD when in town; Loud thumping when only one rear window is down and driving at highway speeds - due to air turbulence - so open two windows at a time - one on each side.

ease of parking (very good visibility behind wheel)

Transmission - hesitates between shift points; hesitates when throttle is stepped on... annoying. I'm used to perfect transmissions in past Toyotas.

The Best

Written by: Zvlan on 10/03/2008


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

I have owned many SUVs or what they used to call 4 wheel drives from 1960 Jeeps to all types of Toyotas. This Highlander is by far the best I ever owned. I was going to buy a new one but I'm afraid with the new look for the Highlander this new one would never live up to its predecessor. I am probably wrong and I do plan to buy when my payments end.

Comfort, drive, reliable and great for room. My dog loves the rear seat and the open window.

Because of my dog the rear seat is ripped. Maybe in the new models they have changed the seat materials.

Amazing gas mileage for suv

Written by: 04Hldrluvit on 07/21/2008


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	7

When I first picked this up, I knew I would be paying a lot for gas, but little did I know how great this thing was on the highway, where 95%of my driving is. With the scan gauge tool, I was getting 28 mpg at 63 mph cruise. Interior is very car like and comfortable, buttons are all huge and simple. The awd is not even noticeable. Standard stability and traction control and abs is just why Toyota is dominating domestics.

V6 gas mileage for suv 28 mpg highway, 19 city. My old 3.7l Jeep couldn't even get 19 highway. Suspension is car like.

I would say gas mileage but since Toyota does have a hybrid version, u cant complain. Better stock tires, the oem are garbage and noisy, my Michelin destiny are amazing.

2004 Toyota Highlander Consumer Ratings & Reviews