2005 Toyota Highlander Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
19 - 22 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(174 Total Reviews)
Superb vehicle
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This is a fantastic car. I have driven it for the past 3 1/2 years and I have had NO problems at all with this car. When Edmunds said this car was reliable back in 2005, they were on the mark! Please see positives and negatives below.
Favorite Features
1) Very very smooth driving. It's like riding on cotton. The steering is soft. Was pretty much identical to the Lexus RX that I test drove. 2) Reliability. No problems with anything, which should be the case with a new car. Great job Toyota.
Suggested Improvements
1) Toyo tires that came with the car were not great in the snow. 2) If you have more than 1 window open, especially the back windows, there is a loud thundering noise which is unbearable. Not sure if fixed this in new model. 3) Cloth seats are hard. I recommend getting leather if possible.
Satisfied At First
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I purchased a highlander after reading hundreds of reviews. I was looking for a reliable vehicle this time around. From the first day I bought it, the transmission skipped. The dealership continues to tell me that this is how Toyotas perform. Recently we took the vehicle on vacation and upon returning, we had to have the transmission seal replaced because of a transmission fluid leak. One tire is bad and when rotated, they placed it on the back of the vehicle, so not I need to have that replaced. I only have 25K miles on the car, so I am becoming a skeptic. I love the looks of the car and the interior. It may be time to trade-in, but not sure I would buy a Toyota again - just not sure.
Favorite Features
interior, silver color, features on the vehicle, size and also gets good gas mileage for an SUV - performs well in snow
Suggested Improvements
transmission skips, very noisy when driving
Pack Up/Gas Up/Giddy Up
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
Review
Cutting to the chase: MPG, appearance interior & exterior, comfort, electric windows, door locks, a/c are all excellent.
Favorite Features
Suggested Improvements
0 out 1 people found this review helpful
Very satisfied
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I've bought this suv a month ago and love it. Traded in my 03 highlander b/c it didn't have 3rd row. The 05 has a lot smoother acceleration and the leather interior looks nice. Only complaint is the sunroof. First it's annoying that you have to hold the button in order for it to move. I assume this is a safety feature, but it's still annoying. Second, it is difficult to find the "closed" spot. If you keep holding the button trying to make sure it closes securely, it will tilt up. In the old highlander all I had to do was gently depress the button and it would open or close all the way
Favorite Features
Heated leather, steering wheel controls, stereo, 3rd row, AWD
Suggested Improvements
Fix the sunroof button
2 out 3 people found this review helpful
This car fits me fine!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This was my first SUV. I fought with the Camry; I'm tall & that car was too low and hard getting in and out. The Highlander just "fits" me. I love being above the sedans and eye-to-eye with SUVs. It is very comfortable to drive. I had some windows limo-tinted providing privacy and better interior temp in summer. Pump sticker shock, yes, but I watch the useful realtime mpg indicator to gauge how I'm driving. Drivers see you when you're coming and don't pull out in front of you as often. Opening rear windows w/o front open = weird noise and eardrum pressure. I plan to have this car 10 years or more, even with the gas prices.
Favorite Features
Comfortable ride; lots of room for people and things; easy turning radius; realtime mpg indicator; front seat warmers; extra power outlet in front; auto-up front driver window; pockets on doors and behind seats; separate fold down middle seats; reliability; fit and finish. CD/tape/radio combo.
Suggested Improvements
Acceleration lag should be fixed; more cup holders in front; heat shouldn't need AC to keep windows clear; back-up camera; optional luggage rack to improve gas mileage; fix that weird noise event when rear windows only are open; make paint less likely to chip.
5 out 5 people found this review helpful
Happy
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited Fwd 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This is a great SUV, I have had 3 SUVs and 2 were Highlanders. This is the best SUV I have owned. The comfort and handling of this vehicle is very nice. I am very happy with the Highlander Limited.
Favorite Features
Comfortable seats, and everything else.
Suggested Improvements
nothing.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Extremely Dissatisfied
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I have owned the limited for less than 3 years and have had several problems with the sunroof. Had to be totally replaced in 11/2006 due to operational problems. Now, in 12/2007 unbelievably have the same problems as well as leaks in track causing condensation, electrical, and requiring replacement again! Only Toyota will not replace again and admit poor workmanship or defective parts due to expired warranty. Cost a whopping $2500. for a sunroof used in New England for merely 4 months/year. Am wheeling this disappontment and buying a lexus or murano! Also, acceleration is hesitant, problems with transmission. Don't waste your $.
Favorite Features
storage, radio controls on steering wheel
Suggested Improvements
better service for problems clearly documented in history. better transmission
9 out 9 people found this review helpful
2005 Toyota Highlander
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Great pep and pick-up, good braking with 4 wheel discs. Good cross country car. Have not been back for any warranty service. Very reliable.
Favorite Features
V-6.
Suggested Improvements
3rd row seat too small.
4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Not what I expected from Toyota
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
About the only things I like about my Highlander is the reliability and it drives pretty good for an SUV. Others hit themajor disappointments starting with the poor MPG about 17 summer & 14 winter. Tires were replaced at 21,000 miles. Transmission is jerky if you step on the gas and then let off. Paint does scratch very easy (just rubbing finger on paint). The best part is while getting an oil change at the same dealer it was purchased from (about 1 year old) I asked how much I could get for trade-in on a new Hybrid. After review (on my almost as good as new condition vehicle) they offered $12,400 less than what I paid one year previously. What a big disappointment.
Favorite Features
3rd-row seats for small kids.
Suggested Improvements
Better tires, paint quality. Improve the heated seats.
6 out 9 people found this review helpful
Good Car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I've had this car two years and it's been great. Only problem is I recently looked into selling it. It appraised for 13000 less than i bought it for only two years later. Believe it or not my Ford actually held it's value better than that. That's definitely not what i expected!
Favorite Features
Great handling and nice sound system
Suggested Improvements
The original tires only lasted 25000 miles. Depreciated faster than i expected.
5 out 6 people found this review helpful
View Pricing for Other Years
Research the 2005 Toyota Highlander
Buying & Selling
Vehicle Details
Multimedia
Ratings & Reviews
- Model Review
- Road Test Ratings
- Road Test Reviews
- Consumer Reviews
- Awards History
- Reliability
- Consumer Discussions
Payment Calculators
Helpful Tools
