Toyota Highlander 2025 Review: Family Comfort and Power Combined?
The Toyota Highlander has long been a stalwart in the three-row midsize SUV segment, renowned for its reliability, family-friendly features, and strong resale value. It’s a pragmatic choice for families seeking a comfortable, safe, and versatile hauler. As we look towards the 2025 model year, the Highlander faces an increasingly competitive landscape with rivals offering bold designs, advanced tech, and diverse powertrain options. This Toyota Highlander 2025 review will examine its expected strengths, potential areas for improvement, and whether it continues to effectively combine family comfort with adequate power to remain a top contender.
Important Note for Readers: As of the time of writing, official detailed specifications for a fully redesigned 2025 Toyota Highlander are still speculative. Toyota introduced the larger Grand Highlander for the 2024 model year, which may influence the regular Highlander's positioning and update cycle. This review will be based on the strengths of the current fourth-generation Highlander (introduced for 2020), anticipated carryovers, and necessary evolutions to stay competitive in 2025. We will update this review as more concrete information becomes available.
A Legacy of Dependability and Family Focus
The Highlander's enduring appeal stems from Toyota's core values:
- Reliability and Durability: Toyota's reputation for building long-lasting vehicles is a major draw.
- Safety: Comprehensive standard safety features and strong crash test ratings are paramount.
- Practicality: Thoughtful interior storage, flexible seating, and decent cargo space cater to family needs.
- Fuel Efficiency: The available hybrid powertrain has been a class leader in fuel economy.
- Resale Value: Highlanders historically hold their value very well.
These attributes have cemented its place as a go-to option for families. The question for the Toyota Highlander 2025 is how it builds upon this foundation in a rapidly evolving market.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander: What to Expect?
Given the recent launch of the Grand Highlander, which offers more third-row and cargo space, the standard 2025 Toyota Highlander might see a more modest refresh or largely carry over from the 2024 model. A full redesign might be pushed further out, or it could see updates to differentiate it more clearly from its larger sibling.
Here are potential scenarios and how they would impact its standing:
Scenario 1: Minor Refresh / Carryover Model
If the 2025 Highlander is primarily a carryover, we can expect:
- Familiar Exterior Styling: The current generation's sculpted lines, prominent grille, and athletic stance would continue. Perhaps new wheel designs or minor trim updates.
- Established Interior Layout: The well-organized dashboard, available 12.3-inch touchscreen, and comfortable seating for the first two rows would remain.
- Proven Powertrains: The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the popular hybrid system.
Scenario 2: More Significant Mid-Cycle Update
To keep pace, a more substantial update could bring:
- Technology Upgrades: Potentially a newer version of Toyota's Audio Multimedia system across more trims, enhanced connectivity features, or a larger standard touchscreen.
- Refined Interior Materials: Minor upgrades to materials or new interior color schemes.
- Tweaked Styling Elements: More noticeable changes to headlights, taillights, or grille design to freshen its appearance.
For this Toyota Highlander 2025 review, we'll focus on its core attributes and how they stack up against 2025 expectations.
Exterior Design: Sophisticated and Approachable
The current Highlander design is more assertive and stylish than previous generations. It balances a sense of robustness with flowing lines, appealing to a broad audience.
- Higher trims with larger alloy wheels and LED lighting project a more premium image.
- The XSE trim offers a sportier aesthetic with a unique grille, black accents, and a tuned suspension.
While not as bold as some rivals (like the Hyundai Palisade or Kia Telluride), the Highlander's design is generally well-received for its mature and upscale look. A 2025 Toyota Highlander carrying this design would still look contemporary, though not cutting-edge.
Interior Comfort and Practicality: The Family Stronghold
This is where the Highlander traditionally excels and needs to continue delivering.
- First and Second-Row Comfort: Ample space, supportive seats, and available captain's chairs for the second row enhance passenger comfort. Features like heated and ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, and tri-zone automatic climate control add to the premium feel on higher trims.
- Third-Row Seating: The standard Highlander's third row is best suited for children or occasional adult use on short trips. This is an area where it lags behind the Grand Highlander and some key competitors. For families frequently using all three rows for adults, the Grand Highlander is now Toyota's primary offering.
- Cargo Space: With all seats in place, cargo space is limited. Folding the third row opens up a good amount of usable space, and with both second and third rows folded, it's quite generous. However, some competitors offer slightly more overall cargo volume.
- Storage Solutions: Toyota is known for thoughtful interior storage, with numerous cubbies, cupholders, and the signature dashboard shelf in the current model – a practical touch families appreciate.
- Infotainment and Connectivity:
- The available 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system (on higher trims) is a significant improvement over older Toyota systems, offering responsive touch controls, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Over-The-Air (OTA) update capabilities.
- Lower trims may still feature an 8-inch screen. For a 2025 Toyota Highlander, making the larger screen standard or available on more mid-tier trims would be a welcome upgrade.
- Multiple USB ports across all rows are essential for modern families.
The 2025 Toyota Highlander must continue to prioritize a quiet, comfortable cabin and user-friendly technology to meet family expectations.
Powertrain Options: Balancing Power and Efficiency
Toyota offers two main powertrain choices for the Highlander, and these are likely to carry over for the 2025 model year.
1. 2.4-Liter Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Engine
- Power Output: Currently produces around 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
- Performance: This engine provides adequate acceleration for daily driving, merging, and highway cruising. The ample torque is noticeable and helps with a full load. It's generally smoother and quieter than the V6 it replaced.
- Transmission: Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth shifts.
- Towing Capacity: Capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
- Fuel Economy: Offers respectable fuel economy for a non-hybrid three-row SUV, generally in the low-to-mid 20s (mpg combined).
2. Hybrid Powertrain (2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder with Electric Motors)
- Power Output: Combined system output is currently around 243 horsepower.
- Performance: While not as quick as the turbo-four, the hybrid delivers smooth, linear acceleration and is perfectly capable for city and highway driving. It prioritizes efficiency over outright speed.
- Transmission: Utilizes an Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT).
- Exceptional Fuel Economy: This is the Highlander Hybrid's standout feature, achieving EPA ratings in the mid-30s (mpg combined). This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient three-row SUVs available and a key selling point for the Toyota Highlander 2025.
- Available All-Wheel Drive (AWD): The hybrid offers an electronic on-demand AWD system, with a separate electric motor powering the rear wheels when needed. The gas model offers a more traditional mechanical AWD system.
The combination of a capable turbocharged engine and a highly efficient hybrid gives buyers excellent choices. For the Toyota Highlander 2025, ensuring these powertrains remain refined and competitive will be crucial. No major changes are anticipated here unless Toyota decides to introduce a PHEV variant, which seems more likely for the Grand Highlander first.
Ride, Handling, and Driving Experience
- Comfort-Oriented Ride: The Highlander is tuned for a smooth and comfortable ride, effectively absorbing bumps and road imperfections. This makes it an excellent long-distance cruiser.
- Composed Handling: While not a sporty SUV in the vein of a Mazda CX-90, the Highlander handles predictably and securely. Steering is light and accurate, making it easy to maneuver in city traffic and parking lots.
- Quiet Cabin: Toyota has put effort into sound insulation, resulting in a relatively quiet cabin environment, further enhancing passenger comfort.
- XSE Trim: Offers a sport-tuned suspension for slightly sharper handling, though it remains primarily comfort-focused.
The Toyota Highlander 2025 is expected to continue this tradition of providing a relaxed and reassuring driving experience, prioritizing comfort and ease of use over outright driving engagement.
Safety: Toyota Safety Sense as Standard
Safety is a cornerstone of the Highlander's appeal, and the 2025 Toyota Highlander will undoubtedly continue this focus. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) – likely TSS 2.5+ or a newer iteration – is expected to be standard across all trims. This comprehensive suite typically includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Road Sign Assist
- Automatic High Beams
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert is also widely available or standard. Strong performance in IIHS and NHTSA crash tests is a hallmark of the Highlander, and this is expected to continue.
Trims and Potential Pricing
The Highlander typically offers a wide range of trims, from the base LE to the well-equipped XLE, sporty XSE, luxurious Limited, and top-tier Platinum. This allows buyers to choose a model that fits their budget and feature preferences.
- LE/XLE: Offer strong value with a good balance of features and affordability.
- Limited/Platinum: Provide near-luxury amenities like leather upholstery, premium audio systems, panoramic sunroofs, and advanced tech.
Pricing for the 2025 Toyota Highlander is expected to see a slight inflationary increase if it's a carryover model. If significant new features or a redesign occurs, the price bump could be more noticeable.
The Competitive Landscape
The three-row midsize SUV segment is packed with strong contenders:
- Kia Telluride & Hyundai Palisade: Offer bold styling, luxurious interiors for the price, and a wealth of features.
- Honda Pilot: Redesigned recently with a more rugged look and improved third-row space.
- Ford Explorer: Offers a range of powertrains, including a potent ST model and a hybrid.
- Subaru Ascent: Standard AWD and a focus on safety and family-friendly features.
- Chevrolet Traverse: Known for its spacious interior and cargo capacity.
- Mazda CX-90: A newer, more premium entrant with inline-six and PHEV options, targeting a slightly more upscale buyer.
- Toyota Grand Highlander: Its own internal competition, offering more space for those who need it.
Does the 2025 Highlander Combine Family Comfort and Power Effectively?
Pros (Anticipated for 2025 Model):
- Excellent reputation for reliability and resale value.
- Smooth and comfortable ride quality.
- Quiet cabin.
- Highly efficient hybrid powertrain option with class-leading fuel economy.
- Capable turbocharged gas engine.
- Comprehensive standard safety features (Toyota Safety Sense).
- User-friendly infotainment system (especially the 12.3-inch version).
- Practical interior with thoughtful storage solutions.
Cons (Potential Areas for Improvement for 2025 Model):
- Third row is tighter than some key competitors (addressed by Grand Highlander).
- Cargo space behind the third row is modest.
- Exterior styling, while handsome, may feel conservative next to newer rivals.
- Base models might have a smaller infotainment screen than desired in 2025.
- Not as engaging to drive as some sportier alternatives.
The Verdict: A Solid, Sensible Choice for Families in 2025
The Toyota Highlander 2025 is poised to continue its role as a highly competent, comfortable, and reliable family SUV. Its available hybrid powertrain remains a significant advantage for fuel-conscious buyers, offering a compelling blend of efficiency and practicality that few three-row competitors can match. The standard turbocharged engine provides adequate power for most family needs.
Does it perfectly combine family comfort and power? For most families, yes. It prioritizes a serene and comfortable experience for passengers, and both powertrain options are capable of handling daily duties and road trips with ease. While it may not offer the most exhilarating power or the most voluminous third row in its class (Toyota now steers buyers needing more space to the Grand Highlander), its overall package of safety, reliability, comfort, and efficiency is hard to fault.
If the 2025 Toyota Highlander is largely a carryover, it will remain a strong, sensible choice, though it might not lead the pack in terms of cutting-edge design or ultimate interior space. If Toyota introduces more significant updates, particularly to its standard technology offerings and interior refinement across more trims, it will further solidify its position near the top of this fiercely contested segment. For families seeking a drama-free, well-rounded, and efficient three-row SUV, the Highlander will undoubtedly continue to be a compelling option worth serious consideration.
