Used 2005 Toyota Highlander SUV Consumer Reviews
Used Highlander for sale
Heater Woes
jojodamonkeyboy, 02/17/2010
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
14 of 17 people found this review helpful
Temperature control stopped working. I contacted parts department at local dealership. Knob was 'okay' but told unit was faulty and would cost $825 to replace (not including dealer costs). Found a website that discussed same problem with Highlanders and Tacomas. Friend & I removed heater/air- conditioner unit. There are three welds for temperature on left side and system control on right. Two of the three welds on the temp gauge had broken. Rest of unit is made up of electronics and circuit boards. My friend has worked on RC vehicles and was able to take care of re-welding parts. Now works almost good as new & I saved lots of bucks. I'm not happy that Toyota hasn't id'ed problem
Faithful,Reliable, and Powerful
luvtoyota10, 10/14/2011
2005 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
20 of 26 people found this review helpful
This highlander is my grandmother's i own a toyota venza she got this car before I got my venza, that was when I had a 2000 Toyota 4runner and This car was perfect for her. It has a nice ride, I loved the sterring feel, and it is roomy. I drove this car down to Indianapolis and it was great only thing wrong was the wind noise. Overall, This is a fine Crossover.
Pack Up/Gas Up/Giddy Up
FireFighter6928, 06/25/2008
2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful
Cutting to the chase: MPG, appearance interior & exterior, comfort, electric windows, door locks, a/c are all excellent.
I love it this much
Lea, 01/06/2005
2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is one of the best vehicles I have ever had. It has all the right ingredients to make it a fun and eazy to maneuver sport vehicle. An SUV that also provides a hint of luxury. It has plush interior and slick external curves. With over 200 HP it still yields great gas mileage at up to 30 miles per gallon on the freeway. I have easily towed 3000 pounds. Mechanically the vehicle is sound I have not had one single problem. It has gotten me through 2 feet of snow, black ice, and a hurricane. Through all that it has always kept me and my family safe. I love the vehicle so much that when we go to purchase another vehicle it will be a HIGHLANDER.
My Highlander
G, 06/15/2005
2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I've only had my Highlander 10 weeks, but have already come to the conclusion that it will not be very comfortable on a long trip. The seats are hard. If I raise the seat at all, it makes it even harder. It then feels like I'm sitting on a hard ball. Also on a recent pleasant day my grandaughter in the back seat, lowered the window and the noise produced by the air flow (or lack thereof) was terrible. It made a sound like a loud lawnmower.
Major Disappointment
criticalbob, 08/16/2006
2005 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Five speed transmission is rather rough. First gear is especially useless - you could push the car faster off the line. Handling is mediocre at best, as the car seems heavy and clumsy. Also, like a car equipped with an old fashioned carburetor, it often seems to hesitate and stumble. Gas mileage has been a major disappointment. As one other reviewer noted, the paint can be scratched with a fingernail. Of the three Toyotas I have owned, this is the first one that will be traded after only three years. Seems very overpriced for what you get, so it will be interesting to see what the trade-in value will be.
I miss my Jeep
Andy, 10/17/2005
2005 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
Poor handling on snow/ice. Back end wants to come around front. Brakes tend to grab when you slow down from 60 to 50. Brakes also seem like you are not going to stop. After cold start up occasionally the brake pedal goes to the floor. Dealer says nothing wrong. Overly sensitive handling at higher speeds. No tinting-Sun gets really hot. Brake pedal to steering wheel distance is weird. To adjust seat for comfort to brake pedal, you have to extend arms to reach steering wheel, causing fatigue. I have short legs. NOT for someone with longer legs. 3rd seat is for people 30 lbs or less. Rear door window will not open separately. Light cloth interior gets dirty easily. Very sensitive driver window.
Disappointed
rdibella, 06/25/2006
2005 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
1) Significant, frequent and dangerous hesitation problem (reminiscent of an out-of-adjustment carburetor in the old days). 2) Rough shifting transmission; shifts at odd rpm levels. 3) Annoying rear hatch door rattle. 4) Rough starting at unpredictable times. 5) Difficult to moderate AC/heat with the standard controls. 6) Other trivial items that, in the past, would have never been associated with a Toyota product.
Love the ride
Ragsny, 03/05/2010
2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for almost 3 yrs and i love it. i have 3 small kids and a dog and we often drive down to myrtle beach and it holds all of us with no problem. My wife has a town and country mini van and she likes the way the highlander drives better. it has plenty of power and it gets pretty good gas mileage and is very good in the snow.
Safe, Solid vehicle
Alison Pratt, 06/27/2005
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
While in my Toyota Highlander, a person hit me from behind while I was at a complete stop. This person was traveling approximately 35-40 MPH according to the police officers who were shooting radar and witnessed the entire accident. Her car was totaled, my car had extensive rear end damage but the frame ended up being 100% in tact. The body shop that worked on my vehicle was completely impressed with the quality of the frame and safety of this vehicle. I am convinced if I had been in my previous SUV (Chevy Tahoe), I would not have been so lucky.