Toyota Highlander Dealer

A History of the Highlander

As is the case with many of Toyota's vehicles, the Highlander appeared at what can be considered precisely the right moment. While SUVs have existed in one form or another for decades, the late 1990s and early 2000s saw the vehicle achieve unprecedented popularity among multiple demographics. It was during this shift that the Toyota Highlander would make its first appearance.

The Toyota Highlander debuted for the 2001 model year. The concept behind many SUVs at the time was "bigger and bolder." Look no further than models such as the short-lived Ford Excursion to see what we mean. With its competitors focussing on bigger powertrains to propel the large land yachts forward, Toyota took a different approach that showed them to be way ahead of their time. The 2.4L four-cylinder engine, and later a 3.3L V6, optimized performance while still giving consumers conservative fuel consumption. (These models averaged 18-22 MPG combined, a considerable amount considering what the SUV market had to offer at the time.)

Throughout the years of its existence, the Toyota Highlander has stuck to its game plan of providing all of the advantages of a midsize SUV while still retaining good MPG ratings. In 2006, Toyota introduced a hybrid version, making the Highlander one of many SUVs to implement this new technology that would save consumers money at the pump and also help lower the number of emissions. As a model from the maker of the Prius, the Highlander Hybrid did well on the market and has continued to be offered since.

Still going strong in the present day and age, the Highlander exemplifies the traits that make Toyota a celebrated brand. Size, safety, and saving money at the pump; it's the perfect trifecta of everything you could ask for and just a little bit more. We don't see Toyota getting rid of the Highlander model anytime soon.

New, Used, CPO: The Highlander Is Waiting Here for You

One of the many reasons people continue to do business at Performance Toyota is our expansive inventory that's only matched by our exceptional service. We carry a variety of Highlander models in various trims. We have all of the latest and greatest that the Highlander has to offer, with a selection of options that are brand-new for the current model year. Aside from carrying brand new versions of the Highlander, we also have used models and some that are a part of Toyota's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program.

The used models that are available at Performance Toyota are all held to the highest standards of quality to ensure their value. For those who are shopping on a budget, let our finance team help you sort through our options to find a Highlander within your price range. We will work with almost any credit score, and we will gladly value any trade-in you have. Use our online tools to get pre-approved financing, value your trade, or use our payment calculator to get an idea of what your monthly Highlander payments will look like for the models on our lot.

For those who like to have a little more assurance when it comes to their used purchase, a Certified Pre-Owned model is the way to go. Buying a CPO vehicle has all of the advantages of buying a used one but is backed by the warranty coverage that usually comes with the purchase of a new model. All the CPO vehicles we have on our lot have been through a 160-point inspection by one of our certified Toyota technicians. Aside from receiving a detailed history of your purchase in the form of a CARFAX report, you’ll also be covered by a limited warranty for a period of 12 years/12,000 miles, and your powertrain is covered for seven years/100,000 miles. That’s serious coverage you can count on.

Stronger Than Ever: The 2022 Toyota Highlander

The 2022 Toyota Highlander carries on the lineage and pedigree of its predecessors. Toyota has delivered the goods in the form of an SUV that's ideal for just about any type of consumer. Similar to many of its counterparts, the Highlander does with the option of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and once again, its powertrain is nothing short of impressive. A 3.5L V6 pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission to deliver 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque.

For those who are looking for a more economical offering, the hybrid powertrain of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and two electric motors pair with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) to deliver 243 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. Fuel efficiency is exceptional for the Highlander Hybrid, with 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. Perfect for your daily commute.

One of the biggest selling points of any Toyota vehicle is excellent safety. The 2022 Toyota Highlander has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and was given a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It comes equipped with several standard features, such as Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System with Low-Light Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and an available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. In an age where driving assistance features are often still relegated to upper trim levels, Toyota practices the art of making safety accessible to all.

Performance Toyota: Looking Out for You and Your Highlander