Toyota Highlander Owners Are Satisfied With Everything But the Price
Buying a three-row, midsize SUV is easy when you see what’s available. One of the most popular options in the segment is the Toyota Highlander. Its reliability, surprising luxuriousness, and even the smooth V6 engine make it so popular. However, every vehicle has its problems. Most of the time, customers are happy they purchased a Highlander. The only problem is that Toyota Highlander owners are satisfied with everything but the price.
Most Highlander owners are satisfied
Every year, Consumer Reports evaluates data from thousands of vehicle owners. They’re asked about their satisfaction in a few different areas for the car they own. In short, CR wants to know if the owner would repurchase it, which is the biggest compliment a model can receive. For the Toyota Highlander, 75% of people would purchase the midsize SUV a second time. Only the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride received more positive feedback.
In addition, the Highlander satisfied almost every customer in three different categories. The driving experience, comfort, and styling of the Toyota three-row SUV are very satisfying. Moreover, customers love the model for these reasons. It only falls short in one way, which is its overall value.
Customers aren’t satisfied with the price
Overall, customers are satisfied with everything about the Toyota Highlander. Whether it’s the way it drives, comfort, features, the way it looks, or something else, most owners are happy. However, the vast majority are unhappy with the price. More specifically, they’re unsatisfied with the value provided for the price. According to Edmunds, the base model L starts at $37,070, and the lineup reaches as high as $49,225.
The Highlander has a similar starting price to other models in its class. Most start at around the same range, or slightly more or less. Even Consumer Reports’ top-ranked Telluride starts at nearly $34,000. Are owners not getting enough value out of the Toyota midsize SUV because of a lack of standard equipment? Or is the price really just too high?
What comes with a 2022 Toyota Highlander XLE?
According to Edmunds, the most popular 2022 Toyota Highlander is the XLE model. Slotted only above the L and LE in the lineup, the XLE is a mid-range trim. Furthermore, it starts at $42,270 and comes with many standard features. In addition to base items like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, tri-zone automatic climate control, onboard Wi-Fi, and Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5, the XLE gets much more.
Opting for the third trim from the bottom gains owners lots of equipment. Things like roof rails, a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and simulated leather upholstery make the Highlander more comfortable and convenient. Moreover, it gets more comfortable with heated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, second-row captain’s chairs, second-row sunshades, and more. We think this is a lot of value for a midsize SUV at the XLE price. Compared to other models, it’s the same or more for the money.
Highlander owner satisfaction
Everything about the Toyota Highlander satisfies owners, except the price. Consumer Reports found that most people think the Highlander doesn’t provide enough value. However, other three-row midsize SUVs are in the same price range. Similarly, the Highlander is just as well-equipped, or more, than its competitors. Because of the massive expense of vehicles in general, it’s very challenging to find a model that customers think is worth the cash. We think the Highlander value is near the top in the three-row midsize SUV segment, probably trailing the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
