Toyota Highlander History
History
The Highlander reached the US for 2001 as a car-based, three-row alternative to the truck-based 4Runner, and became one of Toyota's core family crossovers.
A Highlander Hybrid arrived for 2006 — among the first seven-seat hybrids — and the model has steadily grown across four generations.
Generations
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First generation · XU20
The original car-based three-row crossover; added a hybrid in 2006.
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Second generation · XU40
Larger second-generation Highlander.
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Third generation · XU50
More SUV-like styling; strong family-market sales.
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Fourth generation · XU70
TNGA-platform Highlander with an efficient hybrid option.
Body styles
- SUV
Notable special editions & performance variants
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Highlander Hybrid
Among the first seven-seat hybrid vehicles.
Related models