2003 Toyota Highlander Consumer Reviews

My Favorite Car

Written by: Ancistrus on 08/26/2007

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I've owned/co-owned 9 cars. This one is my favorite. No problems at all in 57,000 miles.

Favorite Features

Tight steering. Comfortable interior.

Suggested Improvements

The 3.0 L engine in the 2003 wasn't really big enough. I've driven a 2007 with a larger engine and it was a bit faster at acceleration. Also, I've never really liked the HVAC controls.

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My mechanic sold me

Written by: John on 08/15/2007

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Ease of parking, good on the interstate and comfortable seating for four adults are some of the reasons we purchased this high end Highlander. But the biggest reason was my trusted mechanic recommended the Highlander to my wife. We haven't been disappointed. Smooth ride and able to negotiate in tight parking spots are two more benefits we were expecting from an SUV.

Favorite Features

Electronic mileage and mph reporting; reclining rear seats and smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

The middle console is wasted space. I like the Honda Pilot's better. I wish the window lock would not also lock the driver's controls.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I am VERY pleased with my '03

Written by: dan on 07/29/2007

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

We did a lot of SUV shopping. We are used to driving older Explorers and lost a little bit of power, but the sacrifice of power for the SUPER increase in mileage is well worth it. Overall I have never been happier with an auto purchase.

Favorite Features

Powerful 4cyl gets great mpg.

Suggested Improvements

Better cupholders, stiffer suspension.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Rock Solid

Written by: J-Texas on 05/05/2007

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Drives like a car more than an SUV, but it's attractive and rock solid. Having it to do all over again, I would have upgraded to leather.

Favorite Features

Interior design is well styled.

Suggested Improvements

Bring back rubber bumpers - every little bump and scratch shows.

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Thumbs Up!!

Written by: Tony on 04/10/2007

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I just purchased the 03 Highlander about a month ago and it is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned (owning brand new 00' Grand Am and 03' Silverado prior). It had about 44,000 miles on the odometer and it still drives like new. We test drove an 02 Rendezvous with only 20,000 miles and still drove off with this vehicle. It is very quiet even on the windiest days. The gas mileage is consistently reading around 18 to 20 mpg, which for a midsize is pretty impressive. We bought this because we needed a familly vehicle with my wife delivering our first born a week later, and am totaly secure driving my family around in the Highlander.

Favorite Features

Power everything on this model, I had shied away from power options in the past, figuring the more options, the things to go wrong. But I am quickly changing my mind. The thing is so quiet you can hardly tell the engine is running.

Suggested Improvements

Leg room, leg room, leg room. Don't know if Toyota has improved this on the newer models, but I traded in a regular cab truck and the leg room difference is like night and day. I honestly have a hard time digging into my hip pocket to get my wallet even before strapping on the seatbelt.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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We like our Highlander

Written by: DON on 12/07/2006

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

We like our Highlander. Our previous vehicle was a 4-Runner. The Highlander has a much more comfortable ride, and gets much better gas mileage. I can't tell that we lost any space either.... it seems we can haul just as much stuff as we did in the 4- Runner. About the only thing I don't like about the vehicle is the exterior styling.... very boring.

Favorite Features

Smooth and comfortable ride. Very spacious -- can haul a lot of stuff.

Suggested Improvements

I have difficulty seeing the turning signals and the speedometer when the steering wheel is in the down position. I would suggest more than just two positions for the steering wheel. Also an alarm if you leave the turning signals on. I would like to see "sleeker" lines in the exterior styling.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love My Highlander

Written by: auntiejenn on 10/18/2006

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I'm very happy with this vehicle. I've taken it on several long (1500 mile) trips and it is as comfortable to drive & ride in as a good quality car. The only complaints I have about it are: (1) the lifter (fuel injector) noise -- and even that is minor. With no radio on, sitting still, you can hear the f.i. system working, but while driving, or with radio on normal volume, you cannot. (2) the paint on the hood chips very easily from normal road wear. I would buy it again ... zero mechanical issues, easy to drive, comfy. Holds value well.

Favorite Features

Ride & comfort. Truly rides like a car, comfortable for all passengers even on long trips.

Suggested Improvements

Sleeker exterior - it's boxy. Climate control would be nice.

1 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Great Value

Written by: A. Palermo on 04/02/2006

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Limited Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I drive this car everywhere as you can tell by the mileage, 75000 in 3 years. I wanted something comfortable for all passengers and this fit the bill and even after all the miles, it still rides comfortably. I also wanted an SUV that I could fit large items in the back and the highlander has the size I need. One of the problems with all the fancy SUVs on the market is that by paying $30000 or more you hate to get it dirty and use it for more then driving around town. Not the Highlander. It's priced right and I don't mind getting it dirty!

Favorite Features

Comfort and reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Better insulation to cut down on road noise. I wish Toyota would fix the vibration problem when the car is stopped and in gear. I have 3 Toyotas and all 3 have this problem starting at about 18000 miles. I'm told it's the motor mounts. Well if you know the problem, fix it!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Hunter

Written by: Smokey on 02/27/2006

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Steering is very stiff at highway speeds causing the feeling that it has locked up, and trying to make a minor adjustment always results in an oversteer or over correction situation. The result is a weaving left to right as you travel the straight-aways. There is no room for any extra stuff in the front for the driver or passenger. Difficult to get the EPA rating of 24 Hghy.

Favorite Features

Excellent sound system, and flat folding rear seats. Excellent handling.

Suggested Improvements

Better heating and air for passengers. More space for storage in front. Get rid of useless consol.

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great SUV for very decent price

Written by: Barbara on 02/25/2006

Vehicle

2003 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Love this car. Leased it and will purchase at lease end. Very comfortable and handles well. Feels like a car but much better.

Favorite Features

4WD and design and roominess.

Suggested Improvements

put 6 CD player as standard and material on seats tends to have dirt cling to it. Also, something to protect bumpers so you do not have to put something on after you purchase car.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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