2017 Toyota Highlander

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is available in six trim levels LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited and Limited Platinum. Toyota Highlander Hybrid is also new for 2017, which is reviewed separately. The base Highlander LE starts at an MSRP of $30,630 and the prices go up to a range of $46,260 for the Limited Platinum AWD trim. Your entry-level Highlander will have features including projector beam headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, 5.1-inch display for navigation with intelligent controls as standard. All Highlander trims are available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options.

The Plus variant of the base Highlander LE starts at $35,060 with the FWD drivetrain and offers additional features like Climate control with individual temperature settings. The new-for-2017 Highlander SE adds Blue LED ambient lighting, a height-adjustable power liftgate with jam protection, and an 8-inch touchscreen display. Moreover, the SE is sport-tuned with an upgraded suspension and styling and costs $39,690 for the FWD and $41,150 for the AWD. 

The 2017 Highlander XLE is priced at $38,520 and has almost all the features that SE has, but it provides some additional features like an automatic dimming rear-view mirror, second-row retractable sunshades, and leather-trimmed seats. Finally, the pricier Limited and Limited Platinum, both offers a few luxury amenities, including perforated upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats and a premium JBL stereo with an 8-inch touchscreen display. The Limited Platinum further adds a Blu-ray disc entertainment system, moonroof, and Puddle lights with Highlander Pro.

The Toyota Highlander with the four-cylinder engine isn't particularly fuel-efficient as it returns fuel economy estimates of 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The 2017 Highlander models with the available V6 earn better numbers: 21/27 mpg city/highway. However, opting for the vehicle with the V6 and all-wheel drive drop to 20/27 mpg.

By comparison, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Transverse, and the GMC Acadia are all behind the Highlander in terms of fuel efficiency. 

"The 2017 Toyota Highlander interior is largely the same as last year, the dash-width shelf up front is perfect for your wallet, smartphone, keys or whatever else, and the huge center console bin can easily swallow anything too big for the shelf"- KBB

2017 Highlander Seating and Comfort

Toyota makes few changes to the 2017 Highlander's interior. The new SE trim has an exclusive sporty appearance, while the top-range Limited Platinum trim is offered with a new brown leather color. The mid-size three-row Highlander is an 8-passenger SUV, but the third-row seats are tight for adults. The second-row slides and both rear rows are 60/40-split-folding bench seats that can fold flat or recline.

You can enjoy the second-row captain's chairs in the Highlander Limited and Limited Platinum trims, however, it reduces seating capacity to seven. The quality of materials is first-rate, especially in the top trims. Agreeable leather and front seat heaters make the XLE more comfortable than the base trim, and the driver's seat provides a range of power adjustments. 

By comparison, the Toyota Highlander's interior space makes it to the second spot with available 40.7 inches front headroom, and 44.2 inches legroom in the front. Using the Highlander as a five-seater SUV makes more sense, as the third row anyway only suits kids.

2017 Highlander Infotainment System

The infotainment system in the Toyota Highlander is somewhat a source of dissatisfaction for most buyers, and for 2017, Toyota makes no changes to it. The SUV comes with a standard Toyota's Entune interface with a 6.1-inch touch screen, five USB ports, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and six speakers. The higher trim uses an 8-in. display that employs small virtual buttons for many of its functions. The graphics aren't clear under the sun. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still being ignored.

Available features include smartphone integration, satellite radio, HD Radio, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, tri-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic moonroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a proximity key, push-button start, a 120-volt household-style outlet, Driver Easy Speak, and a height-adjustable power liftgate.

2017 Highlander Cargo Capacity

The 2017 Highlander has 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, which is the average amount of space in three-row mid-size SUVs. Fold the third row and the cargo space expands to a more reasonable 42.3 cubic feet. The maximum cargo volume of 83.7 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded is a little higher than most competitors.

Small-item storage is very good in the 2017 Highlander. There is a built-in shelf on the dashboard for keeping phones or other personal items. The sliding armrest has ample volume. The rear-seat passengers have seatback pockets, door panel bins, and a small tray at the bottom of the center console at their disposal.

"The 2017 Highlander's grille is huge, following the big-grille trend that's been stylish for the past few years. Yet it emphasizes the already blunt nose of this midsize SUV, with different models getting different trims, seeming to shrink the headlights in the process"- KBB

2017 Highlander Dimensions and Weight

The 2017 Highlander’s new exterior style begins with a redesigned front end, with a rearranged headlamp (including LED accents on SE, Limited, and Limited Platinum models), bold new grille, and revised wheel designs. All Highlanders are equipped with new LED taillamps, while Limited and Platinum trims add chrome-ringed reflectors to their bumpers. The SE model adds sinister looks with darkened body accents for the grille, headlamp surrounds, and roof rails, along with 19-inch wheels.

Though the 2017 Highlander looks much like the outgoing version that means it still can be identified by its gray plastic body cladding and swollen fenders, sculpted body sides, and a tapered tail. 

Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Transverse is the longest car with a length of 203.7 (in). The 2017 Highlander has a ground clearance of 8.0 inches which makes it good for dirt roads. The Curb weight of the base Toyota Highlander is 4370 lbs whereas the competitors weigh more with an exception of GMC Acadia. 

The 2017 Highlander is a classy and good-looking car from every angle by Toyota. The car comes with projector-beam halogen lights, LED taillights and stop lights, a Windshield wiper, auto light control beside the LED daytime running lights. The car uses an 18-inch 5-spoke alloy wheel as standard.

• Rear Wiper/Washer
• Projector Beam Halogen Lights
• LED Projector Beam
• Sunroof with Power Sunshade

NHTSA gave the 2017 Toyota Highlander a five-star overall safety rating. The refreshed Highlander receives the highest rating of Good in all five crash test categories from IIHS, and earned Top Safety Pick+ designation.

2017 Highlander Safety Features

The 2017 Highlander gains the Toyota Safety Sense suite as standard across the lineup. This suite of safety technology includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, forward collision warning and braking, and pedestrian detection.

Available safety features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and a bird's-eye camera with Perimeter Scan.

2017 Toyota Highlander Vs Ford Explorer

The 2017 Ford Explorer is one of the best alternatives to the 2017 Highlander, thanks to its powerful 3.5L V6 engine that generates 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer delivers quick acceleration and is more fun to drive than the Toyota. The Explorer is priced at $31,160 which is slightly less when compared with the 2017 Toyota Highlander LE. The car has a good acceleration speed and good brakes and looks way more stylish than the aging Highlander. However, Toyota is better in terms of reliability.

2017 Toyota Highlander Vs Chevrolet Transverse

The Chevrolet Transverse is the cheapest competitor in this lineup which offers almost similar features as the Highlander. The Chevy Transverse has a less powerful engine when compared with the Toyota Highlander and isn't particularly quick. The Chevrolet Transverse is priced at $28,700 which is much cheaper than the 2017 Toyota Highlander's base model which starts from $32,680.

2017 Toyota Highlander Vs GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia is one of the best alternatives in the midsize SUV segment and the Denali trim offers exclusive mechanical and styling upgrades as well.  The Toyota Highlander has a  more powerful engine and quicker acceleration time than the Acadia. The GMC Acadia has the bigger brakes and has the best stopping power in the braking department. The GMC Acadia is priced at $41,450 which is much expensive than the base 2017 Toyota Highlander. For the affordable pricing, value package, and high reliability, opting for Toyota Highlander makes more sense.

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is a good three-row midsize crossover SUV which is a practical choice, delivering the key desired fitments that most buyers are looking for. Plus, it is offered as a fuel-efficient hybrid model–a segment-exclusive version. With the freshening in 2017, Highlander has become more competitive but it still has that aging character. Competitors like VW Atlas offers more room while Honda Pilot is a more refined and comfortable alternative. The Ford Explorer is more fun to drive, so Highlander is recommendable but for particular interest look at the rivals as well.