The 2011 Toyota Highlander

When it debuted 10 years ago, the Toyota Highlander blazed the trail for midsize crossover SUVs. A refresh for the 2011 Highlander brings updated styling and additional standard features. Otherwise, the 2011 Toyota Highlander stays the course. The Highlander also boasts a 40/20/40-split second-row seat with a removable center seat that allows walk-through access to the third row, not to mention the comfort of captain's chairs with fold-down armrests in the second row. While the midsize 2011 Toyota Highlander has a lot going for it, this crossover faces some stiff competition.


The 2011 Toyota Highlander is a midsize seven-passenger crossover offered in base, SE and Limited trim levels. The entry-level Highlander comes equipped with 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, rear privacy glass, cloth upholstery, a 40/20/40-split-folding second-row seat that both reclines and slides fore and aft, a 50/50-split-folding third-row seat, air-conditioning (with rear controls), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The cabin also gets upgraded leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition/entry, a 10-way power driver seat, a four-way power passenger seat and wood-grain accents. The 2011 Toyota Highlander is available with a choice of two engines. A five-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is optional. With front-wheel drive, the Highlander V6 returns EPA estimates of 18 city/24 highway/20 combined; adding all-wheel drive drops these numbers to 17/22/19.


The Highlander comes with a long list of standard safety features including antilock disc brakes, stability control and hill-start assist. The Highlander's cabin is fitted with a total of seven airbags, including side-impact airbags for front seat passengers, side curtain airbags that cover all three rows of seats and a driver-side knee airbag. In government crash tests, the Highlander earned five stars (the highest possible) for the driver and four stars for the front passenger in frontal impacts, and five stars for side impacts. The 2011 Toyota Highlander features an attractive cabin, especially the top-of-the-line Limited model. The front- and second-row seats are plenty comfortable, but the third-row seat's lack of legroom makes it best suited to pre-teen passengers. The Highlander's second-row bench slides fore and aft and reclines for greater comfort.