The 2020 Toyota Highlander lasts around 300,000 miles with some minor A/C compressor and door seal issues reported. At $29,675 to $44,675, it’s expensive, but worth the cost for one of the most reliable midsize SUVs on the market.
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 9/10 – 2020 is a great year for the Toyota Highlander since it offers outstanding reliability with great technology. Owner reviews praise the smooth suspension, low ownership costs, along with the safety features.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior materials are very upscale for an SUV in its price range, the seats are comfortable, cargo space is also very good behind the second row.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no widespread issues reported on the 2020 Highlander. Models from 2009 through 2021 are all extremely dependable midsize SUVs.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard V6 engine, although it’s not as quick as some of the other SUVs on the market.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2020 Highlander is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, rearview camera, along with automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades include a head-up display.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel efficiency is okay at up to 24 MPG, giving 429 miles of range from the 17.9 gallon tank. Gas costs are $16 lower than average at $192 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Toyota Highlander is more expensive than many other midsize SUVs, although low ownership costs make it a good long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota Highlander?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Toyota Highlander is a smart choice for families looking for a do-it-all SUV, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Highlander at 3.9/5, praising the comfortable suspension, but doesn’t like the limited legroom in the third row.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Highlander a 4.2/5, enjoying the advanced safety features, but owners don’t like the small cargo area behind the third row.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Toyota Highlander include the A/C compressor leaking, wind noise from the side mirrors, along with chipping paint on the front bumper. Overall, most of these problems are relatively minor for a midsize SUV, leading to low repair costs as it ages.
The A/C compressor leaking is the most serious complaint on the 2020 Highlander. Owners report the condenser leaking oil at around 6,000 miles. Usually, if it leaks it’s a sign of a failed seal in the compressor, which has to be replaced. Often the compressor is replaced under warranty, although if it’s out of warranty it costs around $650 to change it out.
Wind from the side mirrors is another issue mentioned by Highlander owners in the first 3,000 miles. Some wind noise is normal, although if you have excessive wind noise you will want to check the door and window seals. Usually dealerships will repair the seals for free under warranty if there’s an installation error. Out of warranty, they cost around $150 to swap out.
Chipping paint on the front bumper also shows up on some Highlander models in the first 10,000 miles. If you use your Highlander for highway driving eventually the large front bumper will get hit by small stones, causing chips. The only way to fix chipping paint is by repainting the affected area, at a cost of around $1,000 per panel.
There are two recalls on the 2020 Toyota Highlander, which is better than some other SUVs. The most serious recall is for the ECU software, which Toyota will update for free. There’s also a recall that only affects 3,121 models for incorrect seat trim.
How Long Will the 2020 Toyota Highlander Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Toyota Highlander can last around 300,000 miles, which is around 50,000 miles more than the popular Honda Pilot. Regular annual maintenance costs are much lower than other midsize SUVs, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $408 per year.
As a used 2020 Highlander reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the windshield wiper motor for $350, the transmission oil cooler line costing $200, along with the liftgate support struts which cost $115.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is excellent with a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen along with more powerful stereo choices.
Standard safety technology is fantastic, offering:
- Lane trace assist
- Automatic high beam headlights
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Rearview camera
- Lane departure warning
- Forward collision warning
- Cyclist and pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Head-up display
- Blind spot monitoring
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Traffic sign recognition
- Adaptive headlights
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is a good value since it’s an extremely reliable choice with low ownership costs. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $29,675 to $44,675, making it more than a Subaru Ascent or Volkswagen Atlas. When new, the price range was $34,600 to $48,800. Depreciation is better than other SUVs, only losing about 4% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota Highlander?
There are five main models of the Toyota Highlander offered for the 2020 model year, from the base L, the popular Toyota Highlander XLE all the way through to the more luxurious Platinum. The Highlander comes standard with front-wheel drive, but also offers an optional all-wheel drive system. There’s also the Highlander Hybrid, which is covered as its own model.
L is the entry-level model with:
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Alloy Wheels
- Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- 8-inch Touchscreen With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-Speaker Sound System
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
LE is a step up, adding:
- Height-Adjustable Power Liftgate
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- HD Radio
- LED Fog Lights
XLE adds features including:
- SofTex Synthetic Leather Upholstery
- Second Row Captain’s Chairs
- Heated Front Seats
- Sunroof
- Roof Rails
Limited has luxury items such as:
- 20-Inch Wheels
- Hands-Free Power Liftgate
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Leather Upholstery
- Ventilated Front Seats
- 11-Speaker JBL Stereo System
Platinum is the flagship model which adds:
- Heated Second Row Seats
- Adaptive Headlights
- Panoramic Sunroof
- 3-Inch Touchscreen
- Digital Rearview Mirror
What Engines Come In the Toyota Highlander?
The engine found in the 2020 Toyota Highlander is a reasonably strong 3.5L V6 which makes 295 horsepower while getting up to 24 MPG. It comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Performance is average, taking 7.2 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Toyota Highlander Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Toyota Highlander?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander is designed to provide a comfortable ride for its passengers. The seats are supportive and well-cushioned, with ample legroom and headroom in all three rows. The front seats are also power-adjustable, making it easy to find the perfect driving position. The Highlander’s suspension system effectively absorbs bumps and road imperfections, creating a smooth and quiet ride.
Additionally, the cabin is well-insulated, reducing outside noise and making it a peaceful environment for passengers. The Highlander also offers a variety of amenities to enhance comfort, including tri-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic moonroof, and heated and ventilated front seats. Overall, the 2020 Toyota Highlander provides a comfortable and luxurious driving experience, whether you’re taking a short trip or embarking on a long road trip.
How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota Highlander Have?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander comes with a variety of storage options to accommodate the needs of its passengers. The Highlander has a total cargo capacity of 16.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84.3 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down.
In addition to the cargo space, the Highlander also provides convenient storage solutions throughout the cabin, such as a center console storage compartment, door pockets, and cupholders in both the front and rear. Overall, the 2020 Toyota Highlander offers ample storage space for its passengers and their belongings.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Toyota Highlander came out in 2014, and was replaced by the fourth generation for the 2020 model year.
2015: No major changes.
2016: Towing package added to V6 models.
2017: Standard Toyota Safety Sense technology, more powerful V6 engine, and updated front grille with LED headlights.
2018: No major updates from earlier years.
2019: Small exterior styling changes.
2020: Fully redesigned for the fourth generation with new engines, styling, and upgraded technology features.
2021: XSE model introduced with a sport suspension.
How Does the Toyota Highlander Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Toyota Highlander is an excellent midsize SUV, offering a lot of room for passengers while still having better reliability ratings than other choices on the market, helping it earn our recommendation.
The Honda Pilot is another midsize SUV on the market which is around $2,000 cheaper. Passenger room is a bit better in the Honda Pilot, while the Toyota Highlander offers lower ownership costs. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it’s more reliable, although both are worth taking a look at since they’re great SUVs.
The Ford Explorer is a slightly larger SUV which is available for $3,500 less. Cargo and passenger space are both better in the Ford Explorer, while the Toyota Highlander has higher long-term reliability ratings. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it lasts longer with fewer owner complaints.
