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Used 2012 Toyota Highlander Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
46 reviews

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4.5 out of 5 stars

2012 HIGHANDER 2.7L i-4 w/ integrated Nav

bigdave5, 04/20/2013
2012 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV (2.7L 4cyl 6A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Purchased this vehicle in October 2011. Now have 27,500 miles on it and still love it as much as the day I first purchased it. Gas milage averages 23/24 around town and 26/27 on the highway. NO other SUV in this size and class gets that kind of milage. I don't need all the fancy upgrades such as leather and power seats. All I wanted was the integrated Nav systems which does a good job for the most part. It has all the power/pep I need for living in big flat Florida! I highly recommend this vehicle.

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5 out of 5 stars

2012 Highlander Reliable Hauler

bjruth@swbell.net, 05/30/2018
updated 06/01/2021
2012 Toyota Highlander SE 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

We had this vehicle for 8 years, 8 months when it was replaced at 83,909 miles. MPG was 20.4. Operations/maintenance cost per mile was 0.163. Other than tires, filters, and oil changes everything was original. Brakes were done at 80,920 with new pads and resurfaced rotors and fluid change. We had one maintenance issue, the electric rear hatch failed to open and close properly in year seven. The hatch, motor, hinges, and struts were replaced under an extended manufacturer's warranty at no charge. If not covered by the warranty, it would have been an $3,000-$4,000 repair. Hard to imagine the hatch had to be part of the replacement but I was told it was integral to the repair. Daily around town hauler with plenty of adaptable room for people and cargo. Still looked like new with no appearance issues when sold. Comfortable ride. Only thing I would do would be to firm up the steering.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

2012- Dependable, comfortable vehicle.

Rick James! (seriously), 12/25/2022
2012 Toyota Highlander 4dr SUV (2.7L 4cyl 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

I go through a lot of cars; this was one of my favorites. I had the 2012 with a 4-cylinder engine. Surprisingly, the 4 cylinder did the job I needed it to. A V6 would have been nice, but I took this thing all over the country, and it served me well. One of the things people complain about is the 3rd row. No, an adult may not want to sit back there for a 10 hour trip, but it's not as bad as folks say it is. If the front 2 seats and the 2nd row captains chairs are positioned properly, everyone, including the 3rd row passengers, can be plenty comfortable. I've sat back there for extended times and been just fine. Folks like to complain. Another gripe I've heard folks mention is the oil leak notorious on the 4-cylinder model. I had a little experience with this as well, but again, it was nothing earth-shattering. I purchased mine when it already had 119,000 miles on it, and I didn't notice any leak until about 150k miles. I traded it in when it had 205k miles on it, and the oil leak was never a huge issue. I might put a quart in once per month, and it was fine. When I traded it in a 205k miles, it was still running as strong as when I bought it. I would have kept it longer but couldn't pass up on the trade-in value at the time. I bought it for 11k in 2017. I traded it for 9k in 2021. What an incredible testament to Toyota's quality. It was one of the most comfortable vehicles I've ever driven. I regularly took it from Atlanta to northern Ohio, and it never gave me an issue; even took it on a trip right before trading it in, and I never worried about it breaking down. If you're looking for a dependable vehicle with plenty of room, comfort, and a fairly quiet interstate ride, the 2012 Highlander would be a great decision.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars

2012 WHITE PAINTED HIGHLANDER

CHUCK M., 02/12/2021
2012 Toyota Highlander Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

All the ouside roof paint is peeling very bad toyota have not includer this in the white paint recall. Why not? Is the same paint used in other cars as the paint in my suv. check the ouside pannt in this suv.

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4 out of 5 stars

Should have ignored rep and bought hybrid

dvdmllr, 10/05/2012
2012 Toyota Highlander Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful

I was debating about the Limited V6 4wd with the hybrid or just going with the standard gas model. The rep convinced me that I didn't really need the hybrid that the mileage would be just fine. I do a lot of highway miles yet I'm still just getting an average of 16 mpg. I've been told then when I hit 10k miles it will improve but it's not even at city mileage right now so not holding my breath. I am also frustrated with the number of rattles in a brand new vehicle that the dealership can't seem to find and fix. Makes it seem like I bought a used vehicle.

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