Used 2016 Toyota Highlander Consumer Reviews
Used Highlander for sale
Some improvement but still needs refinement
R and T, 10/08/2017
2016 Toyota Highlander LE Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We have been wanting to review this vehicle and finally found the time to do so. Having leased many Toyota's for over 19 years, we believe we may be qualified for a non biased review. We previously had leased a 2013 Highlander before leasing this one. This 2016 has a smaller interior space that's noticeable right away. The seats as most Toyota vehicles are lacking the much needed foam for support. Adjusting the seating position is also a fruitless effort as you will never be able to find a good compromise. We can't stress enough how poorly constructed any of the Toyota seats are. It seems no matter what Toyota vehicle we lease the brakes are the weakest link. With less than 22k we had to have all the rotors and pads replaced - fully covered under warranty as defective. We would say the overall ride is acceptable but not terrific for its class. From the very start, we had exhaust leaking into the cabin without reasonable explanation. Had it checked out three times and the solution was to attach a chrome exhaust tip, which still doesn't completely resolve to our satisfaction. We don't dare leave the vehicle idling with occupants during cold winter weather. For overall positive points: Improved looks inside and out. Toyota reliability. Better paint than the 2013. Much improved handling. Contrary to another reviewer, the a/c is definitely very cold.
Highlander Wins Again
Jan, 01/28/2017
updated 07/31/2017
2016 Toyota Highlander Limited 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
After hours of combing through Consumer Reports, various websites and test driving SUVs, we chose the Toyota Highlander. This is our 2nd Highlander. It is our main, family of 4, vehicle. We had a base model 2005 Highlander for 12 years & loved it. It was very reliable as we pretty much only had to do routine maintenance. Our 2016, we purchased, was previously a lease vehicle. The safety features are fantastic. The back seat has captain chairs which my 2, 5'10" tall, teenagers love. The 2nd & 3rd row has more leg room than our previous model. We only use 3rd row seat for short trips. Overall, the 2016 feels roomier than our 2005. I'm not a fan of the plastic cargo cover in the back. I'd rather have carpet to help keep things from sliding around. Also, the storage center between the front seats is awkward/bulky. The tech features are easy figure out & use. The ride feels smoother & is quieter than our previous Highlander. We test drove the 2017 Honda Pilot at least 4 times & liked it too, but the tech had zero knobs & was not as easy as Highlander to figure out. The Pilot seemed to sit lower than the Highlander & the steering felt looser. In the end we purchased the Highlander, because we know it will be reliable for years to come & we wanted a sportier look. *Update after 6 months. Still love our Highlander. However, I wish the automatic hatch would lift higher. I'm 5'5" & have hit my head on it several times. I do push it higher manually when I remember.
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2016 Toyota Highlander for sale near you
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Highlander has read too many of its headlines
gary rainford, 12/25/2016
2016 Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Overall the Highlander is a solid vehicle that will probably perform well over time & hold its value. However, don't believe the 18-24 fuel rating. I just took it on a 250 mile trip, drove conservatively on the highway & averaged a whopping 17.9 MPG. Also, the electronics are ok, but given this is a 2016 model, the user interface could definitely use some fine tuning.
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Almost 10 years and still lovin' it! - Great SUV
Denise Frey, 12/09/2016
updated 06/26/2025
2016 Toyota Highlander XLE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is a nice ride. I traded in an Avalanche pickup that was deluxe. The Highlander is as comfortable as the Avalanche and has as much interior room. It has a lower ground clearance so off-roading is not possible but the highway ride is smooth! I keep up with all the recommended maintenance and I’ve had no surprises. I've had the Highlander almost 10 years and it's still a joy to drive.
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Highly recommend the Toyota Highlander!
kstanley, 02/23/2017
2016 Toyota Highlander LE 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We've had our 2016 Highlander for just under a year now, and we love it. We traded in our 2013 Corolla when we had our first child and we needed something with much more space for all the new things we had to tote around for baby. We researched 4 different brands of cars; Chevrolet, Jeep, Toyota and Ford. The Chevy and Jeep had poor reviews ranging from the Chevy Traverse catching on fire 2 days after having it and the Jeep Grand Cherokee having issues with also catching on fire and having an issue with it's parking brake not holding and rolling away. It came down to the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander or 4-Runner. The Ford was slightly less money but after I read the reviews on the Toyota (and being a previous Toyota owner and loved my old car) my husband and I agreed upon one of the Toyotas. There was even a review from a mom who said that she was t-boned by a drunk driver in her Highlander and the vehicle rolled, she and her two children survived and the drunk driver did not. Sealed my thoughts on what I wanted, but we test drove each one anyway. The 4-Runner drove nicely and was spacious, but it felt extremely bulky and top heavy to me. Probably more well suited for someone who wanted to take it off-roading or out in the mountains rather than drive their kids to school and do family things. Next we drove the Highlander and my husband told me that he was very impressed with how sleek it actually looked in person. He said he was expecting something more of a soccer mom van/wagon style and this didn't strike him that way at all. We had our 10 month old son in the car and he instantly fell asleep on the drive in the highlander. The drive was smooth, the interior wasn't as roomy as the 4-Runner but it had a third row seat which we wanted, back up camera, and touch screen audio and blue tooth controls on the wheel. We took this car to San Diego to stay with my inlaws for a few days and my nephew, husband, son, mother in law, father in law and myself all fit in the car comfortably. When we go out of town to San Diego or somewhere around that distance, we only fuel up once for the trip (assuming it's a few days and not a week or so). I drive this car to work every day, and around town, to the neighboring towns about once a week, and I only have to fuel up every other week or so. And now with baby #2 on the way, I have no doubts that this car will be able to continue safely holding all of my precious cargo without making us cramped for space.
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