2005 Toyota Highlander consumer reviews

I have owned this vehicle for 15 years. With regular maintenance and oil changes it is good for 300,000+ miles. It a great and roomy vehicle.

What an amazing car to drive. 4 cylinder 4WD with 2.2Liter. The mileage is 147000. New breaks and router, new shock absorbers, have done with all kind of engine works (power steering fluid, transmission oil, engine oil flash and radiator flash). Nice and clean interior, sunroof, auxiliary tape for great music with extra CD player of 12 CDs. Also have Eco Snow mood.

Best value for your money. This cars keep their value. No engine problems. No transmission problems. Great body. No electrical problems. Best car you will ever buy.

I am a automotive technician I have been in the business for forty five years. Sadly I have watched reliability go down hill and prices go up up. Toyota is one of the few that still offer vehicles at fair prices and that have excellent reliability. For the record I do not work for Toyota. This Highlander has 230k on it and I know that with proper maintenance it still has a long way to go.

March 2019. I just test drove a 2005 Toyota Highlander with 175,000 miles. Owner told me he put 35,000 highway miles on it traveling the East Coast in just 2.5 years. Very reliable. The test included a steep hill climb on paved road, and both highway, and river road driving for 10 miles each way. The 2.4 DOHC had adequate power carrying 3 adults. Pros: Very smooth shifting, FWD 4-speed Automatic with OD. It reportedly has automatic AWD, and the manual "snow Mode" capability that starts you out in 2nd gear, and locks in the rear axle; however, this was not evaluated, due to clear roads. Chassis had very little rust, due to undercoating. Smooth, good handling, and road feel without harshness on bumpy roads. Steering was excellent avoiding potholes. Plenty of cargo area, and very comfortable, manually adjustable seats. Leg room for 6' tall passenger in the rear seat (not 3rd row equipped). $1,200 below KBB for this vehicle, comparably equipped. Cons were one door dent, rear electric windows that went all the way down using the driver's side controls, but had to be raised using the back seat controls. A dime was inserted in the crack between the temperature control knob and its dash housing, to make it adjust the cabin temp, (just not worth the $405 for a new part/labor). Maintenance included newer brakes and tires (70%), and spark plugs. Interestingly, each plug has it's own "coil pack". Reportedly uses 1 qt of higher mileage vehicle oil per 1,000 miles, but there were no drips, nor any oil ring left on my palm from the exhaust. (Some valve cover leakage noticed.) I decided to buy this car ($3800) due to special finance terms with the owner to pay off over a 1 month period (cash) and reliability of this model. I will be the third owner, and know the first owner's wife used the car 140,000 miles over a ten year period. Expect to pay for some recommended maintenance of $800 in the next year, but drive able (NYS inspected), until then.

Thus has been the best car ever. I have had is for 13 years. Never any major issue. It's a tank. I have over 200k miles and she is still running great! LOVE Toyota!!

We loved the look and feel of the highlander after driving sedans for years the high ride was nice. However, after a minor fender bender in which we rear ended a sedan the Highlander was totaled due to the bumper breaking the radiator and setting off the seat belt system which is tied into the airbag system.

This car is 4wd excellent in the snow and icy conditions has ample leg room front and rear. Very few problems in 13yrs. and no rust problems.

Car had plenty of room but wouldnt go down on price. Beautifull inside. Ran excellent.loved it. Vehicle had 7 seats 2 owners and no accidents .maybe next car

I bought my 05 Highlander a year ago and it?s been nothing but Great she has 180,000 and still strong as ever I?ve had to replace struts and complete drivetrain but I live Rochester Ny and I take her off road so that was bound to happen but I don?t care the cost I will keep my 1st Gen for LIFE