Although it’s starting to show its age, the 2017 Toyota Highlander still offers a reliable SUV experience. In fact, when put head-to-head with most of its competitors, the Highlander has more than held its own.
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2017 Toyota Highlander: Quick Overview
- The 2017 Highlanders came equipped with a four-cylinder engine or a powerful 3.5L V6 that tows up to 5,000 pounds. Plus, there was a hybrid version.
- Six trim levels offered extra power, capability, and luxury at an affordable price ranging from $23,000 to $35,000 on the used market.
- The 2017 Highlander got an impressive 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway on gas models, and 30 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for hybrids.
- The IIHS awarded the 2017 Highlander its Top Safety Pick award, and the NHTSA gave it a perfect five stars in its crash tests.
- There are a handful of recalls out on the 2017 Highlander, most concerning failing fuel pumps.
2017 Highlander Offers Six Trim Levels, Hybrid Drivetrain
Toyota offered the 2017 Highlander in six trims, LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited, and Limited Platinum. All but the SE are offered with a hybrid drivetrain. Though the word “Hybrid” is added to the end of the trim level in most publications, it does not affect the standard features of each trim level.
LE Trim Includes Four-cylinder Engine & Safety Sense System
The Highlander LE is the base-model trim. The LE trim level is the only level available with a four-cylinder engine. While it isn’t the most luxurious option offered, it is more than adequate for budget shoppers searching to step into a newer car with sufficient safety features. The 2017 Highlander LE trim level comes standard with a 2.7-liter dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) four-cylinder engine, an integrated backup camera, and an Entune audio system.
Also standard on all Highlander models, Toyota’s Safety Sense P package, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, radar cruise control, and ABS brakes with brake assist.
LE Plus Enhances Performance with 3.5-liter V6
Moving up a notch to the LE Plus trim offers a bit more grunt in terms of power. However, it does not net much of an increase in terms of luxury or interior items. The LE Plus trim level includes all items found on the LE, plus an upgraded 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, three-zone automatic climate control, and leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel.
XLE Adds Leather-trimmed, Heated Seats & Push-button Start
The next step in the 2017 Highlander Trim set is the XLE. The XLE is the first little taste of the luxurious side of Toyota’s interior capabilities. Stepping up to the XLE trim gets you leather-trimmed front- and second-row seats, heated front seats, a Toyota Smart Key system with push-button start, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
SE Offers Unique Exterior Styling & Sport-tuned Suspension
For those looking for a bit more off-road adventure capability, the SE trim level is for you. The SE package’s intent is to offer a sportier version of the Highlander for outdoor enthusiasts. The upgrades that come with the SE trim include 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels in black, black leather-trimmed seats with silver stitching, a sport-tuned suspension, and an Entune audio system with navigation.
Limited Enhances Cabin with Heated & Cooled Leather Seats
While it isn’t quite the highest trim level, the Highlander Limited trim does offer a whole lot of extra features compared to the lower trim levels. They are mostly concentrated on the comfort of the occupants. The added features for the Limited trim level include perforated leather-trimmed front- and second-row seats, heated and ventilated front-row seats, and a rear cargo tonneau cover
Limited Platinum Adds JBL Audio System, Heated Steering Wheel
The highest priced and most optioned-out trim level for the Toyota Highlander is the Limited Platinum trim. This trim level doesn’t skip a single feature from front to back. It includes all the features of the Limited and previous trims and also includes a panoramic moonroof, JBL sound system, 360-degree camera, and heated steering wheel and seats.
Used 2017 Toyota Highlander Prices Start at $23,300
While Toyota vehicles have fantastic resale value due to their reputation for long life and reliability. Stepping into a 2017 model offers shoppers the opportunity to experience a relatively-new car without spending the money required for a brand-new one.
A 2WD, entry-level LE with about 40k miles and the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine should run between $23,300 to $27,600 when buying from a dealer, depending on condition and extras, per Kelley Blue Book. An LE Plus with the V6 ups the cost range to within $24,700 to $29,000. The XLE trim adds about $3,100 on top of the LE Plus, and the SE is nearly identical in price to the XLE.
The Limited trim is where pricing spikes, ranging from $30,700 to $35,000 for a RWD model. Opt for the top-tier Limited Platinum, and per the used market, pricing actually drops to around $29,000 to $33,500.
However, adding all-wheel-drive (AWD) to any model (other than the LE) will add around $1,200. Step up even further to a Hybrid (paired with standard AWD), and add about $9,000 to the price of most trims.
Toyota Certified Pre-owned Program Adds Peace of Mind
According to Toyota’s warranty program, all new models come standard with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty. This means that 2017 model year Highlanders are no longer covered. However, the factory’s five-year/60,000-mile powertrain and rust-through warranties remain in effect, so long as the vehicle has less than 60,000 miles.
Additionally, certified pre-owned (CPO) Toyota models are offered for the 2017 model year, and they come with a one-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty from the date of purchase. Furthermore, they also include a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It is worth noting that the warranty covers up to 100,000 miles total, not 100,000 miles from the date of purchase.
Though the 2017 model year is a bit older at this point, there are still ways to purchase them with a warranty to keep your peace of mind. After all, nobody wants to pay for repairs on a car they just purchased.
Engine Options Include Four-cylinders, V6s, and Hybrids
The 2017 Toyota Highlander has three different powertrain options. However, the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine is only available on the LE trim level. Otherwise, the engine equipped on all other trim levels will either be the 3.5-liter V6 or the hybrid-assisted version of the 3.5-liter V6.
2.7-Liter Inline-Four Cylinder is Only Offered on LE FWD Models
The four-cylinder engine found in some Toyota Highlander LE models is a standard DOHC engine with two camshafts in the cylinder head. It uses standard electronic fuel injection and variable valve timing. It is rated at 185 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Furthermore, Highlander models equipped with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder are available only with a six-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive transmission.
3.5-Liter V6 is the Most Common 2017 Highlander Engine
The 3.5-liter V6 engine found in the Toyota Highlander is an all-aluminum engine and uses standard DOHC construction and variable valve timing. It has both direct and multi-port electronic fuel injection, offering variability in the fuel delivery to make its use of fuel as efficiently as possible. It is rated at 295 horsepower and 263 lb.-ft. of torque. Highlanders equipped with the V6 only come with an eight-speed automatic transmission in both front- and AWD configurations.
3.5-Liter V6 Hybrid Uses Familiar Powertrain but Adds Advanced Fuel Saving Tech
The final available powertrain for the Toyota Highlander is the hybrid powertrain. It uses the same 3.5-liter V6 discussed above. However, it adds a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and three electric motors. This combination increases the power output to 306 horsepower and significantly increases the fuel economy. All hybrid variants of the 2017 Toyota Highlander are AWD.
2017 Highlander Offers Good Balance of Capability and Fuel Economy
While an SUV is not the first thing most will turn to for fuel efficiency, the 2017 Toyota Highlander offers a balance of SUV usability with decent fuel economy, according to the EPA ratings.
Base-model Highlanders equipped with the 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine see fuel economy ratings of 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
Moving up to the V6 nets up to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, surprisingly beating out the four-cylinder variant in front-wheel-drive format. AWD models still see impressive fuel economy numbers up to 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Finally, if fuel economy is a key element for shoppers, the hybrid variant is undoubtedly the choice among the 2017 offerings. Hybrid models offer up to 30 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, making its use as an everyday vehicle extremely efficient without sacrificing the usability of an SUV.
Driving Performance is Decent, but the 2017 Highlander is no Speed Demon
Although the traditional concept of performance is not what a compact SUV is intended for, there are a handful of benchmarks to consider with the Highlander in terms of performance. Things like towing, ride quality, and handling are things to consider when shopping for an SUV. Overall, the highlander handles these categories quite well, according to U.S. News.
Though the V6 engine offers decent power, critics remark that the eight-speed transmission has some issues. The V6 models get themselves out of the way when needed, but aren’t speed demons by any stretch of the imagination. Reportedly it does 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds when equipped with the V6.
It has a substantial towing capacity for its class, at 5,000 pounds with the tow package, standard on AWD. This is plenty for pulling a small camper, Jet Skis, or a boat for weekend adventures.
Furthermore, the general consensus of the 2017 Highlander’s handling among critics is that it is perfectly acceptable. It is composed and easy to drive on the highway, with a relatively soft ride and little road noise.
2017 Highlander Offers Impressive Total Cargo Space of 13.8 Cubic Feet
The 2017 Toyota Highlander has a total cargo capacity of 13.8 cubic feet when all three rows of seats are standing. With the third-row seats folded, the cargo space increases to a total of 42.3 cubic feet.
Finally, the numbers with both the second- and third-row seats folded vary based on trim. The LE and LE Plus trims have a total cargo capacity of 83.7 cubic feet, with both rear rows down. However, the XLE, SE, and Limited trims have slightly less cargo room at 83.2 cubic feet. Finally, Limited Platinum trim models drop a bit further to 82.6 cubic feet, thanks to the panoramic sunroof.
External dimensions of the 2017 Highlander remain identical across all trim levels. The measurements of the 2017 Highlander come out to 192.5 inches long, 75.8 inches wide, and 68.1 inches tall. With these dimensions, drivers will find that parking a Highlander in a garage, driveway, or normal-sized parking spot is a nonissue.
Certifiably Safe 2017 Toyota Highlander Received High Scores Across All Crash-testing
Toyota is not just renowned for its reliability. Over the last few decades, Toyota has increasingly shown a dedication to the safety of not only their vehicle’s occupants but other drivers on the road, too. Their safety sense systems work to prevent collisions. However, in the event of a collision, Toyota vehicles also maintain their safety credibility.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2017 Toyota Highlander its 2017 Top Safety Pick due to its remarkably high scores across all of its crash testing. This includes small overlap tests, in which the vehicle crashes along the side, including a small amount of the front end, which can be devastating for occupants. However, the driver-side small overlap test received the highest rating possible (G, for Good), while the passenger side received the second-highest (A, for Acceptable).
Furthermore, the Highlander received a G rating in nearly every IIHS category, with only the “structure and safety cage” ratings among the small overlap tests receiving a slightly lower score. Overall, it is one of the IIHS’ highest-ranked 2017 vehicles.
Additionally, the 2017 Toyota Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating, the highest possible, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It has a four out of five-star rating in frontal crash results, five out of five stars on side impacts, and four out of five stars for rollover safety. Moreover, NHTSA testing claims a rollover risk of only 16.9%.
Undoubtedly, the 2017 Toyota Highlander is one of the safest vehicles in its category. Shoppers need not worry about their safety in the event of a crash. It truly doesn’t get much better than the Highlander.
Technology Features Include Toyota Safety Sense & Available 360-degree Camera
The 2017 Toyota Highlander is packed with technology that benefits users in both safety and entertainment categories. In the safety department, all 2017 Highlander models come standard with a backup camera. The Limited Platinum trim steps it up a bit more with a bird’s-eye 360-degree view camera for easy parking. More safety tech includes blind-spot monitors, pedestrian detection, rear-traffic cross alert, and lane-keep assist.
LE trim Highlanders don’t come completely bare-bones. They include a touchscreen infotainment system with Entune audio. However, higher trim packages come with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an integrated app suite to make use of your phone hands-free while driving.
The Limited Platinum trim is truly decked out with luxury tech, including a premium JBL sound system, heated second-row seats, and a 360-degree camera.
Overall, the Highlander did not break ground on any tech innovations for the 2017 model year. However, it certainly wasn’t lacking in terms of available tech.
2017 Toyota Highlander Offered in 9 Exciting Exterior Colors
The 2017 Toyota Highlander is available in nine unique exterior colors, including Ooh La la Rouge (shown above). Others include Predawn Gray, Celestial Silver, Midnight Black, Salsa Red, Toasted Walnut, Alumina Jade, Blizzard, and Shoreline Blue.
There are only four interior colors to choose from, and not all are available on each trim. These include Almond, Ash, Black, and Saddle Tan.
Maintenance Costs, Safety Recalls & Reliability
Despite Toyota’s reputation for reliability and low maintenance ownership, all vehicles need repairs at some time; the 2017 Highlander is no exception. Repair Pal notes that the annual maintenance cost of a 2017 Toyota Highlander is $462. Additionally, their estimate for the average cost of repair on the Highlander ranges from $416 to $508.
Repair Pal also notes some of the more common repairs made to the 2017 Highlander. These include a water pump replacement, which runs around $700, an engine leak inspection, $100, and a power steering control module replacement, $780. Overall, the site gives the Toyota Highlander a reliability rating of four out of a possible five, which is above average. Additionally, it takes spot number seven out of a possible 26 on the list of midsize SUVs in terms of reliability.
2017 Toyota Highlander: Safety Recalls & Issues
Despite Toyota’s efforts to release the safest vehicles, some still have issues.
Currently, there are four active recalls for the 2017 Toyota Highlander:
- No. 20V682000: Certain Toyota vehicles may be equipped with a low-pressure, in-tank fuel pump that may stop operating. This could lead to engine stalls and driving safety concerns.
- No. 18E107000: Water may enter the windshield wiring harness and damage the Engine Control Module (ECM), resulting in potential disruption of engine operation and stalling.
- No. 17V295000: Vehicles sold at Gulf States Toyota dealership may have improperly inflated spare tires. Underinflated tires can cause blowouts and accidents. However, only 409 vehicles were affected.
- No. 17V520000: Some models were delivered with improperly torqued roof rails. Loose fasteners could result in roof rails detaching and becoming a road hazard.
Though none of these recalls is explicitly dangerous, it is imperative to ensure these repairs have been taken care of before your purchase.
What Critics Say
2017 Toyota Highlander vs. Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer & Chevy Traverse
While the Highlander is undoubtedly a fantastic vehicle, how does it stack up against other midsize crossover SUVs? The Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, Ford Explorer, and Chevy Traverse all offer strong competition.
2017 Honda Pilot Also Offers Seating for 8 but Costs a Bit Less Overall
Just like Toyota, Honda is renowned for its reliability and quality cars. Thus, the 2017 Honda Pilot serves as pretty fierce competition for the Highlander, especially considering they both have seating for seven or eight people. That isn’t where the similarity in specs stops, either.
Just like the Highlander, the 2017 Honda Pilot uses a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine. It has an output of 280 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Pilot offers a bit more cargo volume with all three rows of seats standing, with a small upgrade to 16.5 cubic feet. With all the seats down, the Pilot has a nearly identical cargo capacity of 83.9 cubic feet.
Fuel economy also hits a similar range with up to 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Additionally, the Pilot shares a towing capacity rating of up to 5,000 pounds.
Across the board, the Honda Pilot comes in a bit cheaper, with base pricing starting at $22,013 and spanning to $34,784 on the high end with the Elite trim models. Compared to the Limited Platinum, the Elite model stacks up quite nicely with matching amenities and the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Mazda CX-9 is a Costlier Alternative to Highlander with Less Performance
The 2017 Mazda CX-9 brings Mazda’s signature sporty appearance to the table, though it certainly comes at a price.
In place of the V6 of its Japanese counterparts, you’ll find a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood of the CX-9. Though it doesn’t match the power output of the V6, it is still plenty respectable at 227 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque, thanks to its turbocharger-forced induction.
With all three seats standing, the CX-9 offers a slightly advantageous 14.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity. However, it lacks quite significantly when the seats come down, offering only 71.2 cubic feet overall.
The lack of two cylinders makes an appearance in the fuel economy department, though, with 2017 CX-9s seeing numbers up to 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Furthermore, its towing capacity peaks at 3,500 pounds.
The Mazda is a hefty jump in price, with base models starting at $27,047, and reaching all the way to $44,315 for the top-of-the-line Signature trim.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Ford Explorer Provides Seating Up to 7 & Bests Highlander on Performance
The 2017 Ford Explorer starts off at an immediate disadvantage, thanks to the absence of an eight-seat option. Instead, you’ll find models that seat only six or seven passengers.
However, power is quite significant on the Explorer, thanks to Ford’s EcoBoost engine lineup. It is available with a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine making 290 horsepower, a 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-four cylinder engine making 280 horsepower, or in higher trim levels, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 making a whopping 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.
The Explorer offers a substantial 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats standing, and it expands to 80.7 feet with the seats folded down.
The Explorer also matches the Highlander with a 5,000-pound available towing capacity.
Fuel economy ranges a wide spectrum, as one might expect considering the variances in power. The mighty Ecoboost V6 models are good for only 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. However, lower-trim models see modest numbers as high as 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
Comparatively, the pricing of the 2017 Explorer is dead-on, with a starting price for base models of $22,848, and spanning up to $36,096 for the top-tier Platinum trim level.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Chevy Traverse Offers Similar Performance but Struggles to Compete with Highlanders Efficiency
The final entrant to the midsize SUV category is the 2017 Chevy Traverse, a more mild-mannered vehicle compared to the Explorer. How does it stack up against the Highlander?
The Traverse is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 288 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque, putting it on par with the Highlander and the Pilot.
Cargo space is outstanding, with 24.4 cubic feet behind the passenger seat and 116.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. It’s even more remarkable considering the Traverse still offers seating for seven or eight.
Fuel economy is where the Traverse falls short, at 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, which is a real tragedy, considering the extensive cargo volume.
Pricing is extremely competitive at $23,910 for a base LS model, and up to $30,191 for the Premier trim level.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
Is the 2017 Toyota Highlander a Good Buy?
Ultimately, when looking at the comparison of all these vehicles, it seems the perfect balance of price, fuel economy, cargo, and capability lands on both the Toyota Highlander and the Honda Pilot for the 2017 model year.
Purely because the Pilot can be found in top-level trim for cheaper, our recommendation is to go with Honda in this category for this model year.
However, given the lack of issues and non-severity of the outstanding recalls on the Toyota Highlander, shoppers willing to spend the extra bit of money for the Highlander over the Pilot need not be deterred. After all, it is a fantastic car any way you slice it. If the additional safety features beat out the ability to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in the Honda Pilot, we completely understand.
Photos: Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Chevrolet, and Honda
