2009 Toyota Highlander 4-door LIMITED Sport Utility

The first Highlander arrived in 2001 as Toyota's third car-based crossover SUV, following the compact RAV4 and the mid-size luxury Lexus RX 300. As the Toyota brand's more affordable version of the RX, it, like the RX, was built on the Camry sedan platform. And like its Lexus cousin, the Highlander has been very successful. Although its styling is far from distinctive, the Highlander offers its owners multiple benefits that include excellent ratings in the areas of safety, service and reliability, not to mention resale. For 2009, a new four-cylinder model is added, promising better fuel economy and a lower base price. There's also a hybrid model which is reviewed separately.

You'll Like This SUV If...	You May Not Like This SUV If...
If a well-regarded mid-size crossover with an optional third row tops your wish list, you should take a good look at this one. It's feature-laden, neither too big nor too small and should prove reliable for many years.	For buyers with more specialized needs or wants, the Highlander's well-rounded personality might not be as appealing as the sporty character of the Mazda CX-9 or Ford Flex. Similarly, the Highlander can't match the higher towing capacity of the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder.

A new 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine is added to the base two-wheel drive trim. Also, a number of stand alone options have been bundled into six new packages offering savings from $300 to $1,200, depending upon the model.