2005 Toyota Highlander Review: Probably the Best Mid-Size 2005 SUV, but Not Worth the Extra Money

The 2005 Toyota Highlander is in the awkward position of being the best mid-size SUV released in 2005, but by a very thin margin. It’s a little more efficient than the 2005 Honda Pilot, but it would take decades for those savings to make up the three thousand dollar price difference.

Is the 2005 Toyota Highlander a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 9/10 – Probably the best mid-size SUV released in 2005.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Simply one of the most comfortable vehicles on the road, but the third row is really only suitable for child-sized passengers.
• Reliability 8/10 – You’ll probably hit 250,000 miles on the original transmission before any major repairs are needed.
• Safety 8/10 – Stability and traction control come standard, as do anti-lock brakes.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – With the V6 averaging 19/25 miles to the gallon, the Highlander is one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size SUVs released in 2005.
• Value 7/10 – The 2005 Toyota Highlander is worth the asking price, but there are SUVs that are almost as good and thousands of dollars cheaper.

What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Toyota Highlander?

Consumer Reports praised the well-rounded 2005 Highlander for the addition of a larger V6 engine and the third-row seating, as well as improved fuel economy and a quieter cabin than you had in previous models. They found the handling superior to earlier editions of the nameplate, as well.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2005 Highlander an overwhelming 95% recommendation, praising the SUV’s solid handling, quick accelerating, smooth ride, and comfortable interior. Road noise leads a fairly short list of complaints.

Edmunds liked the roomy interior, seating up to seven, and they were impressed by the carlike handling in such a big SUV, as well as the engine options and the generous safety features. They were disappointed by the SUV’s limited off-roading and towing capabilities.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Toyota Highlander Have?

The 2005 Highlander has generated a scant 219 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since its launch. Vehicle speed control reports make up 39 of these, with drivers reporting the car accelerating too quickly after starting up.

The SUV has been recalled twice for accelerator pedals getting stuck in the floor carpeting. The most recent of these recalls was issued in 2011, and vehicle speed control complaints have essentially dropped to zero since then.

Engine complaints have been remarkably scarce, but there have been 51 powertrain complaints, with drivers reporting transmission fluid leaking into the exhaust. Left unchecked, this could result in early transmission failure.

The 2005 Highlander has just 6 recalls on file with the NHTSA, making this one of the least troubled SUVs from its model year.

How Long Will the 2005 Toyota Highlander Last?

Drivers have reported 350,000, even 500,000 miles on the 2005 Highlander’s original powertrain. Realistically you should expect to put a minimum of around 250,000 miles on a used model. You might reach 300,000, but don’t count on it unless you know the previous owner personally.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $489, with the most expensive common fix being a new fuel tank, starting at around $1,695. Engine mount replacements can be pricey, too, starting at $972.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2005 Highlander is basic, but high-quality. Entry level equipment includes a CD player with six speakers, and the high-end model comes with an eight-speaker JBL sound system. You won’t find DVD players as a standard feature, but the theater-quality sound is appreciated.

Safety technology is very generous for a 2005 SUV. Anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control are all included as standard features.

Is the 2005 Toyota Highlander a Good Value?

The 2005 Toyota Highlander is priced fairly, and cost of ownership is very low. This is one of the more fuel-efficient 2005 mid-size SUVs, and major breakdowns are rare.

But, the entry level Base typically lists at $7,044, and the Limited at $7,582. Those prices prices average three thousand dollars more than a comparable Honda Pilot, and it’s not exactly three thousand dollars better than a Honda Pilot.

What are the Different Models of the 2005 Toyota Highlander?

The 2005 Toyota Highlander is available in a Base model and a high-end Limited model.

With the entry-level Base you’re getting:

• Cloth seating
• Manual air conditioning
• Anti-lock brakes and traction and stability control
• CD player with six speakers
• Remote keyless entry

The top-of-the-line Limited adds:

• Heated mirrors
• Fog lights
• Full bench third row seating
• Automatic air conditioning
• 8-way power adjust driver seat
• Leather wrapped steering wheel with wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls
• JBL sound system with eight speakers

What Engines Come In the 2005 Toyota Highlander?

• The Base model is available with an inline-four 2.4L inline-four engine delivering 160 horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. The i4 is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive. Expect to get around 22/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway, with the i4.
• Standard in the Limited model and available in the Base model is a 3.3L V6 delivering 230 horsepower and 242 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and configured in front/four wheel drive, and it averages 19/25 miles to the gallon. With either engine towing capacity taps out at just 2,000 pounds, which basically translates to: Don’t bother trying to tow anything in a Highlander.

What Colors Does the 2005 Toyota Highlander Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2005 Toyota Highlander?

The 2005 Toyota Highlander is very comfortable. The third row is suitable for kids moreso than adults, but you can easily fit five or six grownups in the SUV with no problems, thanks to 55 inches of rear hip room and a smooth-riding suspension.

There aren’t many complaints on file for the shocks and struts, so the suspension has held up well over the years.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Toyota Highlander Have?

The 2005 Toyota Highlander will carry just about anything you can expect a mid-size SUV to carry.

The back end holds ten cubic feet of cargo, which is comparable to the trunk of a mid-size sedan and should hold five medium-sized suitcases. Fold the seats down and you’ve got 80 cubic feet of storage, which dang near puts the Highlander in mid-size pickup territory.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2005 was the fifth model year in the Highlander’s 1st Generation, and the second following the nameplate’s dramatic 2004 redesign.

2002: Toyota added an integrated center console for 2002.

2003: No major changes for 2003.

2004: The Highlander’s unibody got a total redesign in 2004. Toyota also added a DVD based navigation system, and introduced a 5-speed automatic transmission for the V6.

2005: Aside from some subtle styling changes, there were no major differences for 2005.

2006: A Hybrid model was introduced in 2006.

2007: 2007 was the final year for the Highlander’s 1st Generation. Toyota didn’t make many big changes for 2007.

How Does the 2005 Toyota Highlander Compare to the Competition?

2005’s Toyota Highlander is arguably the best mid-size SUV for its model year, being just as roomy and reliable as the Honda Pilot, but slightly more fuel-efficient. But, is it three thousand dollars better than the Honda Pilot? Not really.

The Ford Explorer is another model that’s not quite as good as the Highlander. It’s not quite as comfortable, not quite as reliable, but it tends to sell at around half the cost, typically listing in the $3,500 price range at the entry level.

Toyota is in an awkward position here, with the Highlander being probably the best 2005 vehicle in its class, but by such a razor-thin margin that it’s not really worth the extra money over a Honda Pilot.

Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Toyota Highlander?