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The Toyota Highlander is one of the best midsize SUV options for long-term ownership. If you’re looking for a family SUV that can go the distance (over 200,000 miles), the Highlander is a great option. What Highlander midsize SUV model year should you get?

Which Toyota Highlander year is best?

As far as used models go, the 2017 Toyota Highlander is one of the best older models produced in recent years. The 2017 Highlander is a mid-generation refresh. It features plenty of great updates including standard Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of safety and driver assistance features that now comes standard on many of Toyota’s new vehicles.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander | Toyota

The 2017 Toyota Highlander has two engine options, a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.6-liter V6. The standard four-cylinder engine makes 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It achieves 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

Kelley Blue Book claims that the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a fair purchase price of $24,813 with under 74,000 miles. A Highlander owner should be able to get at least an additional eight years or 126,000 miles out of a Highlander with 74K miles.

The 2017 Toyota Highlander is one of the best used Highlander model years to buy because it’s comfy and has great standard safety features. This model year can be found for great prices.

Is the 2023 Toyota Highlander a good SUV?

Sometimes new vehicles are better to buy than used vehicles because they tend to have fewer reliability issues and better standard features. This is debatable with the Highlander nameplate, but Toyota is certainly bringing big value with the latest Highlander model year.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander is the most expensive iteration of the midsize SUV yet. It has some great standard features.

The new Highlander starts at a whopping $36,420 before destination charges and additional fees. Expect to pay closer to $38,000-$40,000 for a new base model Highlander L. It comes standard with 14 cup/bottle holders (coffee anyone?), and eight-passenger seating with sliding and reclining fold-flat second-row bench seats.

The midsize SUV also includes standard hill start assist control, an anti-theft system with an engine immobilizer, and a tire pressure monitoring system that specifies individual tires. So, high starting price? Sure. But Toyota really threw the kitchen sink in with the 2023 Highlander.

Which 2023 Toyota Highlander trim is best?

A gray 2023 Toyota Highlander midsize SUV is parked indoors.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander | Toyota

If you’re in the market for a new Highlander, the 2023 Toyota Highlander XSE AWD is worth considering. It starts at $45,365. That’s steep for its segment, however, the XSE AWD is chock full of goodies, and all-wheel drive is worth having.

The 2023 Highlander XSE AWD comes standard with blind-spot monitor, multi-terrain select, and downhill assist control. It also includes leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting, and wireless smartphone charging.

Toyota could have thrown in the larger 12.3-inch infotainment system for good measure, but hey, can’t have everything (at that price point) right? The 2023 Highlander is formidable. Can it pose a real threat to the 2023 Kia Telluride?

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