2011 Toyota Highlander Overview

Toyota Highlander

The base Highlander Grade comes with standard features such as projector-beam headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, color-keyed bumpers and rear spoiler, UV reduction windshield, and keyless entry.

For those seeking the best the Highlander has to offer, the Limited will add or substitute in 19-inch alloy wheels, color-keyed power, heated and folding mirrors, chrome exterior door handles, silver roof rails, door scuff plate with Highlander budging and of course, limited badging located on the exterior of the front doors.

Powertrains in the standard Highlander remain the same, although the Hybrid model gains a new engine.

Among the latter are a 50/50-split-folding third-row seat and rear climate controls for base and SE trims. When it debuted 10 years ago, the Toyota Highlander blazed the trail for midsize crossover SUVs. A refresh for the 2011 Highlander brings updated styling and additional standard features. Otherwise, the 2011 Toyota Highlander stays the course. The Highlander also boasts a 40/20/40-split second-row seat with a removable center seat that allows walk-through access to the third row, not to mention the comfort of captain's chairs with fold-down armrests in the second row.

The 2011 Toyota Highlander is a midsize seven-passenger crossover offered in base, SE and Limited trim levels.

The cabin also gets upgraded leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition/entry, a 10-way power driver seat, a four-way power passenger seat and wood-grain accents.

The 2011 Toyota Highlander is available with a choice of two engines. A five-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is optional. With front-wheel drive, the Highlander V6 returns EPA estimates of 18 city/24 highway/20 combined; adding all-wheel drive drops these numbers to 17/22/19.

The Highlander's cabin is fitted with a total of seven airbags, including side-impact airbags for front seat passengers, side curtain airbags that cover all three rows of seats and a driver-side knee airbag. The 2011 Toyota Highlander features an attractive cabin, especially the top-of-the-line Limited model. The front- and second-row seats are plenty comfortable, but the third-row seat's lack of legroom makes it best suited to pre-teen passengers. The Highlander's second-row bench slides fore and aft and reclines for greater comfort.

At the midway point in its lifespan, the 2011 Toyota Highlander is ready for some change.

The Highlander's base four-cylinder churns out 187 horsepower, and with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic, it's just adequate when toting more than a person or two. None of the Highlanders are particularly exciting to drive. The Highlander Hybrid's all-wheel drive, however, which replaces mechanical drive with an electric motor to power the rear wheels, runs at least a theoretical risk of cutting out when it's most needed—since the control software will shut down the motor if it tries to draw too much power under extreme conditions.

The Highlander hasn't yet been rated under the new crash-test scoring system introduced this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The non-Hybrid Highlander offers three trim levels: base, SE, and Limited. All have cruise control, power features, and this year, a newly standard third-row seat. The Limited picks up leather-trimmed power seats. On Hybrids, the base and Limited trims apply.