Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is a midsize three-row SUV built for families who want space, safety, and the brand's well-known reliability without stepping up to a full-size truck-based rig. The current fourth generation pairs a turbo-four gas engine or a frugal hybrid with standard driver aids. It won't thrill enthusiasts, but it nails the practical basics: easy parking, comfortable seats, strong resale, and genuinely impressive fuel economy in hybrid form.

On the road, the Highlander feels reassuringly ordinary in the best sense. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four replaced the old V6 and delivers adequate, if not exciting, acceleration with 265 horsepower. The hybrid, making a combined 243 horsepower, is the smarter pick for most buyers: it's quieter around town, returns roughly 36 MPG combined, and barely sacrifices real-world pace. Both use smooth automatics, and the ride is tuned for comfort over corner-carving, soaking up rough pavement without floating. Inside, the cabin is sensibly laid out with high-quality materials in upper trims and a large available 12.3-inch touchscreen running Toyota's responsive software with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The first two rows are spacious and supportive, but the third row is the Highlander's weak point, it's tighter than rivals like the Honda Pilot or Kia Telluride, better suited to kids than adults. Cargo space behind that third row is modest until you fold it flat. Standard Toyota Safety Sense includes adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, and automatic emergency braking, and crash-test scores are strong. Build quality and long-term dependability remain the Highlander's calling cards, backing up Toyota's reputation and helping resale values stay among the best in the class. The trade-off is value at the top end. Loaded Platinum trims push past $53,000, where the cabin feels pleasant but not quite luxurious, and the third row still trails roomier competitors. Buyers prioritizing maximum space may look elsewhere, but those wanting a proven, efficient, no-drama family SUV will find little to complain about.