Used 2005 Toyota Highlander SUV Consumer Reviews
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My first car!
My 2005 Toyota Highlander was my first car, and the best one I could've gotten! It has an amazing turning radius, sound system, climate control, etc. I could not say enough good things about this car! It looks like a big SUV but drives like a sedan. Braking and accelerating were not too sensitive but not too sluggish either. It was incredibly safe, and has almost no blind spots. If you are looking for a first car or just an older car that holds its value, this is the car.
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2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L
I bought this new in 2005 and now have 65k trouble-free miles on it. After 3 Explorers, it has been very nice not to have to meet on a regular basis with the service writer for a change. 4-cyl is strong enough and gives 20 mpg around town, 25 hwy. Only problem was with original Toyo tires - at 29k they looked great but couldn't keep the vehicle on the road in FL summer rains. New Michelin LTs solved that problem. Only costs have been oil changes, filter changes, and a new battery. Very satisfied.
- Limited 4dr SUV w/3rd RowMSRP: $6,45095 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUV w/3rd RowMSRP: $3,49513 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUV w/3rd RowMSRP: N/A146 mi away
In love after all these years.
135K miles. Bought 8/04. Most options, 3rd row. V6, 3.3, AWD. I've had big 3, BMW (3), Volvo (2), Jag V12 sedan, Audi and this is the best of them all in terms of overall satisfaction. I can find small design grips like the vague sunroof switch, tight 3 row seat, but very little problems and outstanding reliability. Orig. Bridgestones 50K. Rear brakes 60K. Front brakes 130K ! All lamps except highs original. High beams 120K. Tow a 2,000 lb travel trailer cross 3,000 miles averaging 20.5mpg. Mileage town 18, highway 23. No leaks, amazing tranny, great power, tows trailer beautifully (after easy lift). One problem. At 50K rear bushing worn. Probably do to trailer towing.
8+ years and 111,000 miles and keeps on going
I just love my 2005 Highlander. So much so that we cant seem to find a reason to replace it. I bought it used in 2006 with 20k miles and have added 90k+ miles. Getting an average of 25 on highway and about 20 in the city for a v6 is terrific. I have so many memories in this car - we have done lots of roadtrips. Besides the standard 90k maintenance to replace the belts, pump etc. and regular 5k mile maintenance, i have had 1 issue - the fuel cap needed replacing at 108k miles. I guess we will wait another 2 years and then replace it around 150k with either a Lexus Rx or another highlander!
Best family car ever owned!
My 2005 Toyota Highlander is great, it is easy to get 25 miles to the gallon, and it is more socially appropriate considering my kid is going to high school compared to any minivan. Has over 100,000 miles on the odo and has the same comfort as my family friends' Lexus RX! Personally am going to buy the newer hybrid version due to huge numbr of miles on car.
Highlander - perfect reliability 5 years
I bought this Highlander brand new, and it has performed absolutely perfectly for 5+ years. I replaced a headlight last year, otherwise perfect. Very comfortable to drive, quiet on the highway, zero build defects, the V6 is adequate if not a neck-snapper, but with very good fuel economy (27 on the highway, 21 around town). The styling is a bit bland, but as an engineer I appreciate how well it is built. I have owned several Hondas and Toyotas, and both have been exteremly good. But when I replace this Highlander, I certainly drive a new Highlander first.
2nd One owned
My wife and I had a 2004 FWD 4cyl Highlander for over 8 years. Ran and performed fantastic the whole time. Gave it to a family member with a need for 3rd row seating. Just bought a used 2005 Highlander with the 3.3 V-6. Just as nice, just as dependable. These Highlanders are clean basic SUV's with an outstanding service and dependability rating. The ones I have owned have been more base model type units, and we were not looking for lots of bells and whistles.
MY HIGHLANDER !
My mom got this car in 2005 and I was 3 or 4 years old I kind of grew up in this car . Is incredibly reliable we come and go on far trips and not once has it failed during our journey. It's a fun car maybe improvement in the road noise. Love love , love it I hope one day to buy a new highlander yes I totally recommend this SUV I would cry if we ever get rid of it , it was like a family member to us . I hope you buy a Highlander as I hope you will have great times with it as we are having with ours. 13 years and our highlander is still running PERFECTLY!
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Great Buy!
Researched SUVs extensively and picked this one b/c it drives like a car. The camry base makes it a much smoother ride than most SUVs. Gas mileage is great for SUV (better than our 2000 VW Jetta). Plus trunk area is great for moving large items (larger than Lexus RX 330). Two complaints: 1) Toyota does not give oil changes included in warranty and 2) What's with the 15 cup holders in the car?? You'd think camels designed interior. Maybe Toyota runs a sweat shop for their designers and all they could think about was water. So for the rare case you want to buy 15 Cokes (or Pepsis) in one sitting, you at least will have a place for all of them. Overall: Highly recommended.
Value for Money
I have 169K miles on my toyota. Still rounds great. Only change oil and filters, belts. I get 21city and 24hwy MPG. Great car very reliable. Use good tires and the ride is even smoother. Only defect I see is some clanking noise coming from front suspension. No mechanic could fix it. So I drive with it,
Age is only a number
I can't believe this car is 9 years old! It drives as if it was brand new. This is my grandmother's vehicle and it only has 76k miles on it. It handles so nice compared to my 2013 Toyota Highlander. It has hydraulic power steering, not electric, so it has good steering feel with a decent weight. It also corners spectacularly due to it's lower ride height. The V6 is just fine for the size. The interior could be roomier. I'm over 6' so the front seat is a little cramped. But, it has great cargo versatility, came in handy when I moved. I couldn't lower all of my 2013's seats due to a seat lever malfunction that I'm getting fixed. This Highlander, is an amazing car. Had it for 6 years.
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Very Pleased
I bought this SUV used with 40,000 miles. I just returned from a 3500 mile trip through the Rockies and was very pleased with the performance in the mountains. So far, I have had no mechanical problems.
Sweet
Rides very smooth and quiet for a SUV. Easy to get in and out of and easy to park. Great on gas. Comfortable inside. Great quality throughout. Excellent sound system. High quality interior. Every seam lines up. Excellent power. Handles well. Surprisingly roomy. The 3rd row is small but kids fit and I can easily get 7 people into the Highlander if need be. I like the sound system, the auxilliary heat controls for the rear and the 4WD does the job in snow. I looked around and this is the BEST midsized SUV available. And it is reasonably priced.
2005 v64wd highlander
I bought my highlander after considering size, saftey, gas milage,and reliability as compared to other suv's. The size is perfect for me-not too big, not too small. There is plenty of room for hauling-took 2 kids to college in it. It's very nice to drive, but the transmission is sluggish when starting out. Also, I previously had an explorer, and the seats in it were much more comfortable. It's a pleasure to drive- it's very quiet and smooth-sort of like gliding through the air! It handles very well around bends etc, and is easy even for me to park!
satisfied
our highlander has been very dependable. weve driven it to atlantic city a few time. its a very smooth ride, and comfortable. we havent had any problems with it.we would reccomend this vehicle to any one.its very good on hills. we bought the toyota highlander,because we didnt like not being able to see. we owned the toyota camry,before the highlander.it was hard to see the traffic ahead,because of all the suv;s and trucks in front of us. we are completely satisfied sincerely mary harrell somerville,nj
The good and the bad (in my opinion)
A few reasons I decided on the Highlander: Consumer Reports ratings, need for lots of leg room for my 6'9" son, and I needed a larger vehicle than my Honda Civic to accomodate my 250 lb. dog. I really like the Highlander, except that the seats aren't deep enough. I'm 5'11" and have long legs. The edge of the seat hits me in the middle of my thighs. I didn't notice it during the test drive because I wasn't in the car long enough to notice it. I have an hour+ commute to and from work, and my legs become very uncomfortable. The third seat is useless. My 5-year- old niece might fit back there, but no full-size adult could ever fit there comfortably.
Another GREAT Toyota
The Highlander drives as beautifully as the 6 Camrys we have owned over the last 20+ years. Five-passenger seating is as spacious and comfortable as our'02 LXS Camry; the 3rd seat is great for 2 carseats. The side and rear windows are large enough to reduce blind spots in all directions, interior road noise is minimal, and the flexibility of an enlarged cargo area with rear seats down make antique- shopping trips a pleasure! We are retired so we drive fewer miles than when we were commuting, but still enjoy the high quality of a Toyota.
Superb vehicle
This is a fantastic car. I have driven it for the past 3 1/2 years and I have had NO problems at all with this car. When Edmunds said this car was reliable back in 2005, they were on the mark! Please see positives and negatives below.
older and wiser
As an older couple, we were not interested in off-road rock-climbing. We just wanted a roomy, reliable, comfortable SUV for travel, that was not so big that it would cause trouble with parking or maneuverability. The Highlander is perfect for those needs. It is easy to get in & out (no high steps, wide door openings, etc.)and has a plush comfortable ride. This is definitely not a truck-based vehicle. Instead, it has the soft, quiet feel of a luxury car. The Toyota reliability is obvious; it never fails to start or perform perfectly. There are none of the annoying myriad of parts breaking down that have plagued so many other cars we have owned.
Very nice vehicle
I went with the FWD (didnt think I needed AWD). Im very happy with my purchase. The ride is comfortable and quiet, and while I may have been happy with the 4 cylinder I decided to go with the Limited V6 model (towing increase). The Highlander vs. Pilot decision was hard as both vehicles were neck and neck in areas I considered important (safety, reliability, and comfort - in that order). I believe there is better visibility in the Toyota. I also prefer the Highlander's "look" over the Pilot.
Heater Woes
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
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
Cutting to the chase: MPG, appearance interior & exterior, comfort, electric windows, door locks, a/c are all excellent.
I love it this much
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
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
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
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
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
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.
My Experience with The Toyata Highlander
I had planned to get another manufacturer's minivan when the rear fold down seats came out in April. I decided to take a look at the Highlander as it was highly rated. I test-drove one for several miles, and bought it on the spot. I felt that I had been driving it all my life (59 yrs. experience) and was completely comfortable with it. On numerous trips to the mountains of NC this past summer I was impressed with the flawless handling on a highway with several miles of tight switchbacks. I haven't had the first problem in nearly 12,000 miles. Items that I went in for help on, turned out to be procedural! This is the most satisfactory vehicle I have ever owned.
My First new car
Firstly, my last car was a '95 minivan. The HL handles better than the minivan, its mileage, however, is about the same: 14 mpg city (NYC) and 20 mpg HW. I do not accelerate quickly. It brakes and control is far superior!!
Happy Campers
We have only had our Highlander for 7 months but we could not be happier. No problems with performance or engine quality and we changed from V6 minivan to 4 cylinders. Only complaints were with internal finish. We had to have some minor adjustments done to roof molding etc.
Safe, Solid vehicle
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.
Awesome Highlander
Handles well, tight on corners, power from the standstill, it plows through snow w/o skidding or bogging down.
Good job
My husband and I bought the Highlander after months of research. The reliability and reputation of Toyota went a long way in our decision. The gas mileage helped, too. I don't know where they got the 19/21 on the sticker, but I routinely get 25-plus out of my 6-cylinder. The exterior could be a little jazzier, and I have trouble with the steering wheel audio controls. While I'm driving, my thumb hits the "mode" button, turning on the stereo when I'm not expecting it.
Excellent Ride
This is a phenomenal automobile. I have never been this happy with a purchase, and it is even better since my wife and I had our first child. Great safety and comfort with tons of room. Perfect car for starting a young family. Also reduced our insurance premiums due to its safety features and record.
Nice Ride
The car has been really good, it drives like a car, has the power to get down the road with extra to go. It get's good Gas mileage, even at 80 and 90 M.P.H. on the hiway it will get 22 mpg. we have really enjoyed all the room it has and the power to pull it.
Jud's machine
This is and has been a great vehicle. My wife loves to drive it, I seldom get a chance to drive it. The only negative I can think of (and this is a stretch) is that on the doors of our car (cloth upholstery) Toyota has put fabric right up to the glass, this material is easy soiled, If you clean the windows, if you rest your arm on the window sill, if the dog stands in the window, dust settles there also. For being a four cylinder, the car performs well, and the four wheel drive is great.
My Highlander . . .
I do enjoy my highlander , because it is economical as well as pritty , but I must say that for a few thousand more I could have got the Lexus RX330 , which is like the highlander , but better so that my advice , and do that .
All is well except the paint!
We own a 2005 Highlander Limited which has become the 'family pony'. Overall, we have been very happy with it except: Since day one, there was a pencil eraser size 'bubble' spot on both side mirrors. The bubble grew like a blister and eventually it popped. Come to find out, the mirrors were NEVER primed prior to painting. I brought it up to the dealer's attention while still a dime size blister and still under warranty, they did nothing about it. Now, 6 years later, my mirrors have peeled. Toyota assumes no responsibility. Word of caution: inspect your vehicle and look for even the smallest flaw in the paint. Point it out and have them fix it prior to buying. It will save you $$ and grief.
Love my Toyota
After working for another Japanese auto manufacturer for 18 years I decided on a Toyota. The Highlander 4cyl was everything I was looking for as a single mom who still wanted to look good riding my teenage daughter around with her friends and easy on my pocketbook. The fuel economy is fantastic and the power of the 4cyl has not disappointed me yet. Under the hood is not even foreign to me as everything is clearly color coded so even I can add the necessary fluids. I love the automatic shift placement up higher which gives me more room for easy placement of personal items. Love my Toyota!
Decent, solid, reliable Toyota
I have owned this vehicle for 4.5 years and have had no issues. Transmission shifting from 3rd to 4th is a bit "herky jerky" at times but the overall ride is extremely smooth. Plan on buying another one in 2-3 years. A solid buy.
Toyota Highlander
Excellent car. We compared with Lexus and Acura and chose the one with the most safety features, best reliability, most spacious back seat for the kids and most luxury for the money. Best car I've ever owned
Awesome
It is awesome. Highly reccomend it. I wanted a low-emmissions car, but I was not allowed. I had to get an SUV. This SUV is perfect. Even if I didnt care about fuel economy, I would love it. But also, it has one of the best, if not the best, fuel economy of any SUV.
Comfortable Car
I purchased the Highlander last August and have 17,000 mi. on it. It is extremely comfortable and very intuitive to drive. I had a 1999 BMW 328i and was used to power and handling. This vehicle has excellent power and very good handling compared to the BMW. Obviously not as crisp in a corner but it handles exceptionally well. All the controls are intuitive and the steering releases very smoothly in a corner like the BMW. The arm rest is perfeclty positioned for one hand steering. It is very roomy for the passengers in the first two rows. The third seat is tight but it still is OK for two adults. The gas mileage averages around 20mpg. A little less than I would like, but acceptable.
interesting
coming out of a camry for two years this new experence is interesting. The idea that "you cant have it all" applys here. up side roomie, stable, almost hands free operations, kick back and cruse. boxie but stable. Controls easy to find at a glance. The higher shift control which is similar to cars coming out in europe with shift high on the dash board is better than I expected.
VERY Good
I bought my SUV in 2005. It has no problem at all. I read other consumer's comments about tires. My SUV did not replace tires until 56k miles. Right now it's 99k and haven't replaced 2nd tires yet. The condition is very good. Interior is very comfortable and spacious. I really love it so much.
The Best you will ever own
Superb build quality, handling, braking, reliability, mileage and looks good too!
It’s a Toyota!
I have a 2005 Highlander limited with the V6 engine and it has been a great reliable vehicle. It currently sits at 233,000 miles and is still going strong with some replacements here and there. It has a very smooth ride, and engine noise is pretty quiet. Handling and steering feel will not be great. (Typical of an older SUV) The styling is actually nice, and the quality of materials is much better than a lot of vehicles made in the early 2000s. Definitely a great first car, and/or a great car for longevity. Just keep an eye on the timing belt, oil change intervals, and transmission fluid.
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Best SUV Value
1st SUV, 6th Toyota since 1980. Best SUV product value on the market today.