The 2009 Toyota Highlander lasts around 300,000 miles with only some minor oil and tailgate issues. At $10,954 to $17,405, it’s pricey, but worth it for one of the best midsize SUVs available.
Is the 2009 Toyota Highlander a Good Used SUV?
- Yes, 2009 is a good year for the Highlander. Owner reviews praise the technology, dependable engines, and the affordable ownership costs.
- Interior quality is above average. There is durable cloth and leather used throughout the cabin, and the infotainment system is easy to use.
- Reliability ratings are excellent. Models from 2009 through 2014 are all excellent long-lasting choices, with some interior issues in 2015.
- Performance is average from the 4-cylinder, but the optional V6 offers excellent power for a midsize SUV.
- The Highlander is a very safe SUV getting an overall 5-star rating in government crash tests, with the lowest score being 4-stars in the front passenger test.
- Fuel economy is average for an SUV at around 20 MPG, which should get owners about 384 miles of range out of the 19.2 gallon gas tank.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota Highlander?
- Consumer Reports says the Highlander is very refined and flexible with the three rows of seating, and has high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Highlander a 4.6/5, praising the strong V6 engine for its size, but doesn’t like that the steering is a bit loose.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Highlander 4.6/5 and enjoy all the technology features, but owners don’t like the low towing capacity.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Toyota Highlander Have?
The most common problems found on the 2009 Toyota Highlander include excessive oil consumption, tailgate latch issues, and broken door lock actuators. Overall, compared to other midsize SUVs from 2009, these problems are relatively minor.
Excessive oil consumption is the most common complaint from owners at around 110,000 miles. Toyota engines are known to consume more oil to help lubricate all the parts in the engine and most owners simply check their oil regularly and add more as needed.
Tailgate latch issues are another issue reported by owners at roughly 75,000m miles. The latch assembly can get damaged when the tailgate does not close properly and can prevent it from locking. Replacing the latch is relatively easy, costing around $200 to swap out.
Broken door lock actuators are another problem mentioned by owners in the first 50,000 miles. Door lock actuator failures are a widespread problem across many Toyota vehicles, and they cost around $100 per door to swap them out for new ones.
There are 9 recalls, average for an SUV from 2009. The most serious recall is for pedal entrapment, which can cause unintended acceleration. Many of the other recalls are for window switches and airbags, which are not a big concern once they’ve been changed.
How Long Will the 2009 Toyota Highlander Last?
A well-maintained 2009 Toyota Highlander should be able to last around 300,000 miles, which is over 100,000 miles more than rivals like the Ford Edge. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to rivals, according to data from Repair Pal, at $473 per year.
Since most 2009 Highlander models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the stabilizer bushings for $575, the ignition coil costing $500, and the knock sensor, which costs $600.
The highlander is very reliable and has not given me any problems yet. I have had my highlander since 2009 and have loved it ever since then. It does not have any problems.
The only problems I've had are driver window gets off track, fabric seats need to be cleaned regularly, I've had to replace driver side wiper blade has to be replaced quite often.
It is very reliable! I have had few problems other than a few minor repairs and normal wear and tear.
The car has had some minor issues. The first would be the protective cost for the paint is peeling bad. Although this has not affected the functionality of the car, it is a minor issue. Secondly, we have had to reseal the timing chamber. This did cost a bit of money.
It is very reliable, always starts up and is easy to maintain. The only problem I have is the tire gauge light will not turn off
We have not had any major issues with our vehicle. My husband is able to repair most of the problems by himself using YouTube.
How Much Is the 2009 Toyota Highlander Worth?
Blue book values range from $10,954 to $17,405, making the Highlander thousands of dollars more than a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Hyundai Santa Fe. When new, the price range was $27,600 to $34,520. Depreciation is better than average, only losing about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota Highlander?
There are three models of the Highlander offered for 2009. The second generation was introduced for the 2008 model year, and replaced by the third generation in 2014.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Privacy Glass
- Fold-Flat Third Row Seat
- 6-Speaker AM/Fm/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack
Sport is a step up, adding:
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Premium Cloth Seating
- Sport Suspension
- Fog Lights
- 3.5-Inch Infotainment Screen
- Rearview Camera
Limited is the luxury model which adds:
- Unique 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Power Folding Third Row
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Wood-Grain Trim
- 9-Speaker JBL Stereo System
What Engines Come In the Toyota Highlander?
- The base engine found in the highlander is an average 2.7L 4-cylinder which makes 187 horsepower and gets up to 20 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the strong 3.5L V6 which produces 270 horsepower and gets up to 19 MPG combined. Performance is good, taking 7.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH, but the towing capacity is low at only up to 3,500 pounds.
What Colors Does the Toyota Highlander Come In?
How Big Is the Toyota Highlander?
The 2009 Toyota Highlander is an average midsize SUV similar in size to the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Nissan Pathfinder. Passenger room is above average in the first and second row, but the third row has limited legroom and is best suited to younger children.
Cargo space is good for a midsize SUV, fitting 2-3 suitcases behind the third row, and 8-10 behind the second row.
How Does the Toyota Highlander Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota Highlander is one of the best midsize SUVs available from 2009, offering a comfortable interior and better technology than many rivals.
The Honda Pilot is a competitor which costs about $2,500 less. Passenger room is a bit better in the Honda Pilot, but the engine has fewer problems in the Toyota Highlander. We recommend the Toyota Highlander for the 2009 model year, but the competition is closer in other years.
The Toyota Sienna is another rival, which costs about $3,500 less. There’s more cargo space and legroom in the Toyota Sienna, which is offered with captain’s chairs in the second row, but the Toyota Highlander handles snow and off-road terrain better. We recommend the Toyota Highlander unless you need the extra passenger room offered by the Toyota Sienna.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota Highlander?
Yes, it is a very dependable vehicle that is safe for families and young adults. It has many features which allow families and young adults to drive easily.
Yes no problems ever. Perfect size for small family. Great space and seating for 8 people. This car gets fair gas mileage and comfortable ride.
Yes I trust this car to take me anywhere and through anything. It is dependable and safe for me and my family. I would purchase another one and recommend to others.
I have enjoyed and am still enjoying our Toyota. It has operated well for the most part. We have had to reseal the timing belt chamber along with timing belt. This has costed a good amount. Beyond this it has been a great car.
Yes I consider it to be an excellent reliable vehicle. This is my second highlander I have owned and have recommended it to friends
I love it! The style, ease of driving and dependability. It is also a versatile vehicle with a third row and large enough for our growing family.