2024 Toyota Highlander Review
By Damon Minks
| Updated 3 Days Ago
Toyota’s 2024 Highlander makes a solid first impression with its $39,270 starting price and extensive selection of trims accommodating varied lifestyles and budgets. Its stylish exterior turns heads with a sculpted shape and contoured lines reflecting contemporary and refined automotive design. Still, this SUV’s strengths extend far beyond its curb appeal.
MotoPickers Rating: 7/10
The 2024 Highlander offers a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), increasing environmental adaptability. It’s also strong on torque and efficient, supplying an ideal performance balance.
This SUV’s interior boasts a spacious cabin with standard three-row seating for every trim, perfect for family travel. This interior also features Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility alongside the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ system, which we’ll explore more in-depth later.
MotoPickers’ review of the 2024 Toyota Highlander aims to provide you with a more comprehensive overview of this long-running SUV so you can make an informed buying decision without having to sort through endless sources. Our review also includes real-world owner feedback to increase objectivity, so dive in below to learn more about the 2024 Toyota Highlander and decide whether you’re ready for a test drive.
Exterior design
Aesthetics and styling
A twin-tip exhaust underneath the 2024 Highlander’s rear bumper is chrome-plated for durability and sporty flair. The available hands-free power liftgate allows you to open the trunk when your hands are full by kicking under the rear bumper through sensing your key fob. Available automatic folding power mirrors increase utility by providing extra space when maneuvering in and out of tight parking spaces.
Standard LED lights provide this Toyota SUV’s front with a sleek and increased road visibility. At the same time, larger 20” wheels come standard on the XSE, Limited, and Platinum trims. The primary difference between the 2024 Highlander’s exterior and last year’s version is dimensions within the larger Grand Highlander. This year’s Grand Highlander version is 6.5” longer, 2” taller, and 2.3” wider than previously, translating to more interior legroom, headroom, and shoulder space. A lower stance helps unify these elements.
Color options and customization
Toyota offers a choice of nine colors for its 2024 Highlander. These colors include Wind Chill Pearl (white), Midnight Black Metallic, Celestial Silver Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Cypress, Blueprint (blue), Ruby Flare Pearl, Moon Dust (charcoal gray), and Cement.
Interior design
The 2024 Highlander exemplifies its interior spaciousness by offering third-row seating in every trim, accommodating up to eight passengers. You can increase rider satisfaction by opting for this SUV’s available panoramic moonroof, establishing a more airy cabin feel. Available heated and ventilated front seats provide first-class comfort year-round. The XSE trim boasts sporty two-tone upholstery with red and black leather-trimmed seats and red accent stitching across the instrument panel.
Still, it’s worth noting that most of these attractive features are available upgrades instead of standard offerings.
Materials and finishes
Driver reviews regarding the 2024 Highlander’s cabin materials and finish quality have been mixed. The lineup’s peak Platinum trim, higher-priced hybrid variants excluded, also impresses with a two-tone leather interior, but you’ll have to pay a base price of $49,725. The Platinum additionally has fewer standard interior features than competitors like Hyundai’s Palisade and Kia’s Telluride SUVs. Each of this model’s trims focuses on functionality over flair.
Technology and infotainment
The 2024 Highlander offers a choice between a standard 8” display and an available 12.3” infotainment display. This year’s display provides voice command capability for safer, hands-free access to vital features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto during daily drives. If you prefer SiriusXM, 2024 Highlander customers gain access to a three-month trial of the audio entertainment platform.
When you’re in the mood for music, this SUV’s available JBL Premium Audio System stands out with its exceptional quality, delivering 1200 watts via 11 speakers forming surround sound. Add on the 2024 Highlander’s active WiFi subscription to turn your ride into a 4G hotspot with connections for up to five devices. Five USB ports and two 12V outlets help fulfill passenger charging needs.
Performance
Engine options and specs
The gas-powered Highlander’s 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine delivers a solid 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates this powertrain as capable of delivering a maximum 25 combined MPG. There’s also a hybrid powertrain available for those seeking additional fuel savings.
Drivers prioritizing precise handling within their SUV may benefit from selecting the XSE Highlander trim for its sport-tuned suspension. This trim-exclusive suspension system is sportier than its lineup’s counterparts in its ability to hug the road tighter. XSE sport-tuned suspension also features retuned shock absorbers, a rear stabilizer bar, and high-rate springs for better handling.
Separate drive modes include Sport for more acceleration, Eco for additional fuel economy, and Normal for the best of both worlds. Fuel efficiency within non-hybrid variants is 22 MPG in the city and 29 on the highway.
Off-road capabilities
The 2024 Highlander’s AWD drivetrain goes above and beyond with torque vectoring for sharper responses and more stability by sending up to 50% of its power to the rear before distributing additional power to the wheel that needs extra help. Towing maxes out at 5,000 lbs, while available Multi-Terrain Select offers Mud & Sand, Snow, Normal, and Rock & Dirt modes fostering better traction. Multi-terrain select automatically recognizes and mitigates wheel slippage by regulating wheel spin.
Safety Features
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+
Extensive standard passenger security defines Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ system within the 2024 Highlander. This suite of driver-assist features includes pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic braking when necessary. Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control helps you maintain a preset distance from vehicles ahead at speeds over 20 MPH, while lane departure alert with steering assistance keeps you centered.
Additional features within Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ include road sign assist, which fosters more road awareness; automatic high beams, which eliminate the need for pesky and continuous manual adjustment during night drives; and lane tracing assist—aiding systems like lane departure alert.
Crash test ratings
Crash safety is paramount in any vehicle, but it’s especially significant within SUVs like the 2024 Highlander, which often acts as a family vehicle with its standard three rows of seating. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) awarded this Highlander a Top Safety Pick Designation. IIHS staff evaluate crashworthiness via moderate overlap front, small overlap front and side tests.
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) officials gave Toyota’s 2024 Highlander its highest rating of five stars based on frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. This five-star rating applies to the SUV’s FWD and AWD powertrains.
Safety upgrades
The 2024 Highlander offers blind-spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert as an available option. This advanced technology significantly enhances peace of mind during daily drives. Another upgrade, the front and rear parking assist, is not just a convenience feature, but a safety tool. It provides motorists with audible and visual warnings alongside automatic braking when necessary.
Practicality and Storage
Cargo space
This iteration of the Highlander may leave some wanting more than the SUV’s 16 cubic feet (cu ft) of rear cargo space, especially for family needs. While this storage area falls short of competitors, it can provide moderate assistance. Drivers can also opt for the pricer Grand Highlander, which has 68% more cargo space behind the rear row than its standard counterpart.
Pricing and Value
Let’s examine the starting prices and standout features of each of the 2024 Toyota Highlander’s five non-hybrid trims.
LE (base model) – $39,270
The 2024 Highlander’s entry-level remains safe for families with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ system boasting numerous advanced safety features with semi-autonomous capabilities like automatic braking.
XLE – $42,420
Moving into the XLE trim upgrades your infotainment display in size from 8” to 12.3” for more seamless behind the wheel accessibility.
XSE – $44,015
The XSE variant of the 2024 Highlander offers sleek 20” black alloy wheels, sport-tuned independent MacPherson strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar, trailing-wishbone suspension, and 11 speakers for exceptional daily drives.
Limited – $46,525
Opting for a Limited trim supplies you with a panoramic view monitor alongside a backup camera with dynamic guidelines for easier maneuvering in tight spaces and around obstacles.
Real-world owner information
Service costs
Toyota optimizes the cost of ownership for 2024 Highlander customers with its no-cost maintenance plan. Each new example of this model comes with ToyotaCare, which covers regular factory-scheduled service for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. ToyotaCare also offers 24-hour Roadside Assistance for two years on unlimited mileage, solidifying your peace of mind behind the wheel.
Common praises
On Edmunds, one unnamed 2024 Highlander owner from Portland, Oregon, described themselves as selling their Hyundai Elantra for the SUV and experiencing satisfaction inside and out. This Highlander driver praised the model’s wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility and noted that they don’t hear excessive powertrain noise, like some reviews mention that we’ll explore later.
Another 2024 Highlander owner, Jenn, said she loves how smoothly her SUV drives. Zach, an Edmunds real-world reviewer who owned the XSE trim four months before his review, said that the second row’s captain’s chairs offer exceptional comfort for kids during extended journeys and echoed Jenn’s sentiment regarding the model’s smoothness.
Common complaints
While the 2024 Highlander offers three rows of standard seating, which many would consider an asset for a mid-size SUV, one owner reports this additional seating space as feeling too confined for comfort.
They replied to a 2023 and 2024 Highlander thread on Reddit: “As far as layout goes, I made the mistake of going in the third row. Thought I was going to have to be buried back there. I wouldn’t recommend ever going back there.” The post’s original uploader responded: “Yeah I’m 6’7” and I went back there just for the heck of it. Had some surprising headroom, but I’m with you on never going back there.”
Other online forums, like TFLcar, feature threads of Grand Highlander owners recommending this pricier version over the more confined standard Highlander, especially for family travel. When searching online for 2024 Highlander reviews, MotoPickers noticed that most results linked to the Grand Highlander instead of its counterpart, reinforcing the idea of the Grand Highlander remaining a more popular option.
Another 2024 Highlander owner on Edmunds recommended selecting a hybrid powertrain during their review of the model’s real-world performance, noting excessive noise and buzzing during instances like moderate acceleration. The average customer rating for this Highlander on Edmunds is 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Final verdict
MotoPickers gives Toyota’s 2024 Highlander a 7/10 overall rating. This SUV’s strengths lie in its refreshed exterior, a design that expertly balances form and function. It also features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and an extensive selection of trims, including several hybrids if you want additional fuel economy. Safety ratings from prominent organizations like the NHTSA and the IIHS remain stellar across key crash test fronts.
The 2024 Highlander’s weaknesses lie in its limited rear cargo space and advanced technology features that primarily exist as upgrades. While this model starts at below $40,000 for its base trim, its peak gas-powered trim, the Platinum, starts at $49,725. A top-tier hybrid trim is priced at over $51,000. By comparison, a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander with significantly more storage space starts at $43,320, making it the best option for families while remaining around the price of an entry-level Highlander.
Still, if you don’t need a lot of cargo space for your weekly drives, the 2024 Highlander remains a viable option. It doesn’t slack on the performance front, with several advanced features elevating capability during demanding scenarios like off-roading.
Regarding AWD capabilities, the base trim comes standard with FWD, which may deter some seeking high-grade standard traction on a budget. It’s worth noting that the Grand Highlander also offers AWD as an upgrade, allowing you to focus on more relevant categories like dimensions instead of performance.
We recommend scheduling a test drive for a 2024 Highlander Grand Highlander gas and hybrid variants on the same day so you can more thoroughly determine which option is best for your lifestyle.