2003 Toyota Highlander Review

Vanilla

Written by: DV on 08/20/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I've owned the Highlander for five years now and have never gotten used to the exterior styling. It's about as vanilla (plain) as they come. The interior is well done, however, and the car provides a very comfortable ride, although it's a bit noisy at highway speed. Reliability and quality are good - just as one might expect from Toyota. However, if you're looking for good styling and a powerful, fun car to drive this is not it - nor is any Toyota for that matter. The car lacks style and horsepower and has no towing capacity. Most importantly, it lacks rear interior space and can only carry four to five adults. (Only small children can fit in the optional rear seat.)

Favorite Features

Great sound system, comfortable seating, good mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Report inappropriate post

Neat truck

Written by: jake65 on 07/17/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

The truck was purchased brand new in 2003. So far it has 97,000 miles and runs like it's brand new. Some of the problems I can think of is the paint scratches very easily. And the tires wear out a little sooner than expected. Other than that it is very comfortable and pretty quiet inside. It's also quite powerful for its size and gas mileage. It's a great truck and I plan to drive it for a long time.

Favorite Features

All of its storage, interior room, overall design, and almost everything about it.

Suggested Improvements

Paint job, better gas mileage if possible

Report inappropriate post

The best car I have ever owned

Written by: jane on 04/30/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

If this car died today it would owe me absolutely nothing. I have never had it back to the dealer for anything but routine maintenance. In fact at 111,000 miles I just took it in for a brake job and was told that they could save the rotors. These are the original brakes!!! Bet you wouldn't get that on an American car. Love this vehicle. Hope it lasts like the ones on the TV ads for at least 300,000 miles. I started driving in 1966 and have had many cars but this one is by far the best I have ever owned.

Favorite Features

I love the fact that it's so easy to drive. I just get in put it in gear and I'm off. It's very comfortable.

Suggested Improvements

Can't think of any improvements they could have made to make it any better.

Report inappropriate post

Great SUV

Written by: Vlad on 02/08/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought this car two months ago. Great SUV. Has a lot of leg room for the driver (I am 6'3), has plenty of room in the bask seat. Lots of storage. Great in snow (I live in Cleveland). Great gas mileage for SUV. I recommend the 6 cylinder as the 4 cylinder is somewhat underpowered (driven the 4 cylinder also) and not much better fuel economy.

Favorite Features

Plenty of room, good pick up, versatile.

Suggested Improvements

None - great SUV all around.

Report inappropriate post

Very satisfied owner

Written by: Arizona Bob on 01/30/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

Most of my driving is long distant and here in AZ when the temp. is over 100 degrees the car is great and the AC does a good job. The average speed here is between 75 and eighty and I have had no problems overheating. My goal is to reach 300000 miles. I am now at 60000 and everything is original but the tires.

Favorite Features

Comfort, quiet and solid, still not a rattle at 60000 miles. Highway mileage at about 21 mils per gal. not bad at 75 mph plus.

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of the ggodyear intergra tires, I replaced them at about 50,000 miles, made a super differnce in handling, should have done it sooner. Better dashboard lighting, Can not see it in the daytime.

Report inappropriate post