Before You Buy

Toyota Highlander: Buy Score, Reliability & Ownership Costs

Midsize 3-Row SUV · SUV

MSRP Range$39,000–$50,000
A gray 2026 Toyota Highlander parked in front of a suburban house on a sunny afternoon, shot candidly with kids' sports equipment visible nearby.
Engine2.4L turbo or 2.5L hybrid
Seating7 or 8
Fuel Economy (Hybrid)35 mpg combined
DrivetrainFWD or AWD

Our Verdict

Based on model-specific reliability data, ownership costs, and longevity signals.

Buy
87/100

Buy Score™

Pros

  • Named among the best long-life 3-row SUVs by iSeeCars
  • Hybrid trim available with real fuel savings
  • Strong resale value for the segment

Cons

  • Third row is tight for adults
  • Cargo space behind the third row is limited
  • Non-hybrid V6 fuel economy is mediocre

Can this car reach 300,000 miles?

Likely

The Highlander Hybrid is specifically named among the strongest quarter-million-mile bets in iSeeCars' longevity research, alongside other Toyota 3-row/truck models.

First-Time Buyer Friendly

78/100

Approachable overall, though a first-time buyer should budget a little extra for insurance or upkeep.

Reliability Timeline

What tends to need attention, and when — based on model-specific reliability data.

RoutineModerateMajor

30,000 miles

Oil changes, tire rotations

60,000 miles

Brake pads and rotors (heavier vehicle, more wear)
Battery

100,000 miles

Spark plugs
Timing components on non-hybrid V6 trims

150,000 miles

Suspension and steering components

200,000+ miles

Named by iSeeCars among the strongest long-life 3-row SUVs when maintained

What It Actually Costs to Own

Family-hauler ownership costs run higher than a sedan across the board, but the Highlander's resale value helps offset that over time.

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost$1,450
Estimated Annual Insurance$1,550
Estimated Annual Maintenance$520
Estimated Annual Repairs$489
Estimated Annual Registration$230
5-Year Depreciation~42% of purchase price

Full Specifications

Engine2.4L turbo or 2.5L hybrid
Seating7 or 8
Fuel Economy (Hybrid)35 mpg combined
DrivetrainFWD or AWD
TowingUp to 5,000 lbs
Cargo Volume16.0 cu ft behind 3rd row

Check for open recalls before you buy

We don't yet have a live recall feed wired up for the Toyota Highlander, so we won't guess at a number here. Before you buy any specific Highlander, run its VIN throughNHTSA's free recall lookup tool— it takes about 30 seconds and confirms whether that exact vehicle has any open, unrepaired safety recalls.

Similar Vehicles

Sources: RepairPal model score (4.0) and annual repair cost ($489): deep-research-report-car-buying-guide.md. Named among best long-life family SUVs: deep-research-report-car-buying-guide.md, best-bets-by-segment section.