Toyota Highlander 2025 Review: The Ultimate Family SUV?

In today’s highly competitive midsize SUV market, the Toyota Highlander has always been a force to be reckoned with. Faced with the continuous emergence of new energy models, the 2025 Toyota Highlander responds to market challenges with a comprehensively upgraded product, skillfully balancing traditional strengths with innovative technology.

This article will delve into whether this highly anticipated SUV can maintain its classic charm while meeting the evolving needs of modern families.

01 Exterior Design: A More Youthful Yet Rugged Styling

The 2025 Toyota Highlander first makes noticeable adjustments to its exterior, aiming to attract younger family users. The front fascia features a trapezoidal blackened honeycomb grille design, paired with matrix LED headlights, significantly enhancing the visual impact.

The body side lines are fluid and full of strength, with the dual character lines and floating roof creating an elongated silhouette.

The details are even more refined: the blackened headlights and dark red tail lights not only improve nighttime visibility but also add a sporty flair to the vehicle. The black-designed side mirrors, combined with the new-style wheels, completely shed the previously somewhat “mature” image.

These changes are undoubtedly a direct response to the market’s trend towards younger demographics.

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some viewpoints suggest this design might have lost some of its conservative sensibility, but overall, the 2025 Highlander successfully finds a balance point between sophistication and sportiness.

02 Interior & Space: Practicality Meets Technology

Stepping inside, the interior upgrades of the 2025 Toyota Highlander are impressive. The dashboard is wrapped in large areas of soft-touch materials, with higher trim levels adding wood accents and metal-brushed decorations, significantly enhancing the sense of luxury.

In terms of tech features, a 15.6-inch intelligent central touchscreen is standard across all trims, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155P chip to ensure smooth system operation.

Space layout has always been a strong point for the Toyota Highlander. The 2025 Toyota Highlander continues to offer both “2+3+2” seven-seat and “2+2+2” six-seat configurations. The second-row independent seats support 140mm of sliding adjustment, and the third-row seat backrest angle adjustment range is expanded to 25 degrees, providing a comfortable experience for every passenger.

The storage space design continues Toyota’s traditional advantage, with the center console box offering 12L of volume and door panel compartments capable of holding 1.5L water bottles.

The trunk offers 414L of space in standard mode, expanding to 2398L with the seats folded down, sufficient for various cargo needs during family trips.

Comfort features are also not overlooked. Sound-deadening acoustic glass and privacy glass are standard across the board, effectively creating a quiet cabin atmosphere. Mid-to-high trim levels offer leather + Alcantara upholstery with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, further enhancing seating comfort.

03 Intelligent Technology: Addressing Shortcomings, Competing with New Energy

Confronting the lead of new energy models in the smart technology domain, the 2025 Highlander has undergone significant upgrades in its infotainment system. The new model supports various connectivity options like CarPlay, HUAWEI HiCar 5.0, and ICCOA Carlink, catering to different smartphone users.

Toyota promises four OTA updates per year, supporting lane-level navigation and app ecosystem expansion.

Although compared to China’s domestic new forces, the Highlander’s intelligent cockpit still has some gaps, for traditional Toyota users, this is undoubtedly a qualitative leap.

It’s worth mentioning that the new model also adds a 50W wireless fast charger and a transparent chassis view with 540-degree panoramic imaging, making daily use more convenient.

04 Powertrain Performance: Robust, Efficient, Balancing Economy and Performance

The powertrain is a core strength of the 2025 Toyota Highlander. The model offers multiple powertrain options to suit different user needs:

• 2.5L Intelligent Hybrid System: Combined system output of 243 horsepower, WLTC fuel consumption as low as 5.8L/100km, range over 1000km.
• 2.4T Turbocharged Engine: Maximum power 269 horsepower, peak torque 420 N·m, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds.
• 2.4T Hybrid: Combined power output of 362 horsepower, 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.3 seconds, suitable for users with higher power demands.

In real-world driving, the 2.5L hybrid system achieves around 6.7L/100km in city commuting, approximately 35% lower than comparable 2.0T rivals.

The E-Four electronic on-demand AWD system equipped on hybrid versions adds almost no extra burden on fuel consumption while enhancing stability on slippery roads and complex conditions.

Compared to new energy SUVs pursuing aggressive acceleration, the powertrain of the 2025 Highlander emphasizes smoothness, fuel efficiency, and durability, which is part of its enduring appeal.

05 Safety Performance: Comprehensive Protection for Peace of Mind

The 2025 Toyota Highlander comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 3.0 suite and has earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating. This system includes ACC adaptive cruise control, LKA lane keeping assist, and a series of other driving assistance functions effective in most scenarios.

In practical experience, the system is quite sharp at identifying potential dangers. One owner shared an experience where the system provided an early warning and assisted with braking during a potential highway rear-end collision. The steering wheel provides subtle reminders during lane departures, making long drives less taxing.

06 Market Positioning & Competitive Analysis

In the current midsize SUV market, the 2025 Highlander faces fierce competition from new energy models like the Li Auto L7, AITO M7, and BYD Tang. So, which consumers is it really suited for?

Advantages:

• Mature and stable hybrid system with excellent fuel economy.
• Toyota’s long-accumulated reputation and high resale value; projected 3-year residual value of 68%.
• Well-balanced space, suitable for various family scenarios.
• Maintenance interval extended to 10,000 km, resulting in lower running costs.

Disadvantages:

• The smart features and ambiance still lag behind new energy SUVs.
• Power experience lacks the “surprise” factor compared to new energy models.
• Entry-level trim configurations are somewhat basic; 360-degree surround view and front parking sensors are not standard.

07 Buying Advice & Price Analysis

The starting price for the 2025 Toyota Highlander is 259,800 RMB (approximately $36,000), which is 23,000 RMB lower than the previous version, showing Toyota’s response to market changes.

For budget-conscious consumers, the 2.5L Hybrid FWD Elite (5-seater) offers the best value, featuring standard LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, 7 airbags, and the TSS driver assistance system.

If the budget allows, the 2.5L Hybrid FWD Premium is worth considering. It adds features like front/rear parking sensors, rearview camera, power tailgate (with kick sensor), leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather seats.

It is worth noting that there is currently potential for $1,000 – $1,500 in cash discounts at the dealership level, plus potential trade-in subsidies, making the final price possibly even lower.

For consumers considering a used Toyota Highlander, the model’s high resale value is an important advantage, but one should also pay attention to vehicle condition and maintenance history.

08 Conclusion

The Toyota Highlander 2025 further strengthens its product competitiveness through intelligent upgrades and detailed refinements, while inheriting the traditional advantages of reliability, spaciousness, and low fuel consumption.

It might not offer the cutting-edge tech experience of new force brands, but as an SUV focused on the essence of family travel, it undoubtedly remains a top contender in its segment.

If you are looking for a worry-free, comfortable, and versatile family partner, the 2025 Toyota Highlander definitely deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Of course, before making a final decision, we recommend a test drive at your local dealership to feel if it truly meets your expectations and needs. After all, the best car is the one that fits you best.