The Toyota brand has numerous iconic vehicles to its name. While several of the models have been around for decades, some have made an instant impact in a short time. The Toyota Highlander, for instance, has garnered immense popularity ever since its release in 2000. Although short, the Toyota Highlander history is enthralling nevertheless. Let’s take a trip to the past to explore the history of Toyota Highlander and see how the vehicle has evolved over the years.
Toyota Highlander History
Toyota continues to adhere to modern standards and incorporates the latest tech in its vehicles. Furthermore, the brand makes notable design enhancements in the models. All these initiatives can be seen in the Toyota Highlander when going through the model’s history.
For instance, the introduction of a hybrid variant of the Highlander. Starting with a petrol engine, the Highlander was later made available with a hybrid engine. Moreover, the model became one of the top hybrid cars in the UAE and gained popularity around the world.
Let’s now explore the Toyota Highlander models by year, check out their specs and see the generations of the SUV.
FIRST GENERATION – 2001 TO 2007
The Toyota Highlander made its debut at the New York Auto Show in 2000. The vehicle offered the spaciousness of an SUV and the practicality of a family-friendly vehicle. Unlike other vehicles in the SUV and pick segment, the Highlander was built on the Toyota Camry platform.
Consequently, the sedan car chassis presented better handling and control. Moreover, the Toyota Highlander holds the status as the pioneer for incorporating unibody structure in the SUV and pickup truck segment.
Initially, the Toyota Highlander was available as a five-passenger, four-door midsize SUV. However, in 2004, some variants came with 3-row seats with a seating capacity of seven. The vehicle was available with either a V6 or a four-cylinder engine. Moreover, both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options were available.
The rise of hybrid cars prompted Toyota to incorporate the technology in its vehicles. Toyota introduced a hybrid version of the Highlander in 2006. The hybrid version also came with a car-based construction. Moreover, the model had a seating capacity of seven.
SECOND GENERATION – 2008 TO 2013
The Toyota Highlander history witnessed some major changes in the second generation. While the seating capacity was the same, the new generation came with more legroom for the second and third-row seats. Additionally, a higher hip point ensured a more comfortable driving experience.
Another key highlight was the centre-stow seat. The modification allowed drivers to switch the second-row middle seat as needed. Moreover, for the new generation of the Highlander, Toyota went with the Avalon chassis.
Under the hood, the Highlander housed a more powerful V6 engine that came with front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. However, the hybrid variant was only available with four-wheel drive.
Consequently, the powerful engine enhanced performance and the vehicle’s towing capacity. The 2011 model came with a front-drive four-cylinder engine. Additionally, the upgraded exterior complemented the enhanced specs.
THIRD GENERATION – 2014 TO 2019
The evolution of Highlander Toyota saw the third generation get some notable upgrades. The SUV has a more stylish design and increased cargo space. Additionally, the Highlander now came with a seating capacity of eight.
Initially, engine specs were the same as the preceding generation for both the petrol and hybrid versions. However, the V6 engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission enhanced the driving experience as a whole.
Furthermore, Toyota focused on automobile aerodynamics to enhance performance. The third generation had a lower roof to improve aerodynamics. A one-step sliding seat function added more appeal to the Highlander.
The Toyota Highlander history also saw the introduction of some special editions for the third generation. For instance, a special edition coloured in SpongeBob SquarePants theme was released in 2013. The collaboration saw the special edition make appearances at various events.
Moreover, the Muppets took a special trip to the Toyota Highlander for an ad campaign. In 2015, the Highlander got a major makeover for the SEMA market. A sports body kit, full custom interior and lower ride height were the highlights of the model. Moreover, drivers were able to enjoy the benefits of long-wheelbase cars with the new edition.
FOURTH GENERATION – 2020 TO 2024
In 2020 the Highlander fourth generation was revealed at the New York show in 2019. The fourth generation stood out with its specs and features. The SUV came with three-row seating and had a seating capacity of eight.
Additionally, Toyota replaced the 4-cylinder engine with a 3.5-litre V6 engine. The fourth generation was also important for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid history as a more efficient hybrid drivetrain was introduced. The new modification replaced the V6 with a four-cylinder engine.
The interior also got some notable upgrades. The fourth generation came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Moreover, the system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with smartphone connectivity.
Furthermore, Toyota’s Safety Sense and driving assistance package made driving safer and easier.
FAQs
What is the Toyota Highlander also known as?
The Toyota Highlander is known by different names in some markets. For instance, the vehicle is called Toyota Kluge in Australia and Japan.
Is The Toyota Highlander a Hybrid Car?
Introduced with a petrol engine, the Highlander came as a hybrid model in 2006. Since then, all the Toyota Highlander generations have had hybrid variants.
This brings us to the end of the Toyota Highlander history. The SUV has gone through some major changes throughout its history. The Highlander Toyota history is a tale of innovation and design.
Notable driving and safety features make the vehicle an ideal driving partner. Moreover, the hybrid variants keep a check on the environment-friendly aspect. In 2023, as per dubizzle data, the Toyota Highlander price in the UAE was recorded between AED 138,800 to AED 171,000 for the 2020 to 2022 models.
Check out Toyota models in the UAE for 2024 to see what the brand has in store for the coming year. Additionally, go through the Toyota hybrid range 2022-20233 to discover other vehicles with hybrid engines.
If the Toyota Highlander sounds like the ideal vehicle for you, there are numerous options to choose from. Browse through these used Toyota Highlanders for sale in the UAE and select from a wide variety of this model listed.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s auto blog to learn about the Toyota Highlander history timeline and that of other popular models.
Related Posts
