Overview

What's New for 2012:
- The Highlander is a carryover model for 2012

Exterior Features
The 2012 Toyota Highlander is a midsize crossover utility vehicle offered in six different trim levels. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard, with larger wheels available on higher grades.

Interior Features
The 2012 Toyota Highlander offers seating for up to 7 passengers. Base models include standard cloth upholstery, air conditioning, rear privacy glass, split-folding seats in the second and third rows, and more. Higher trim levels are equipped with leather upholstery, power driver's seat, and other premium equipment.

Optional Features
Major options on the 2012 Toyota Highlander include a towing package, upgraded JBL audio system, navigation system, and a rear-seat DVD-based entertainment package.

Under the Hood
Toyota Highlander models are fitted with one of three engines. The standard is a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder rated at 187 horsepower. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The optional engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 270 horsepower mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (2WD) is standard with 4-wheel drive (4WD) optional. The Highlander Hybrid features a 3.5-liter V-6 engine combined with a pair of electric motors for a total system output of 280 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive powertrain are standard on the hybrid model.

Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2012 Toyota Highlander are:

- Toyota Highlander 2WD with 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission: 20/25 mpg (city/highway)
- Toyota Highlander 4WD with 3.5-liter V-6 engine and automatic transmission: 17/22 mpg (city/highway)
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid with gasoline electric powerplant: 28/28 mpg (city/highway)

Safety
Standard safety features of note on the 2012 Toyota Highlander include side air bags for driver and front passenger and curtain air bags for all rows of passengers. In government crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2012 Toyota Highlander received an overall rating of 4 (out of 5) stars, as well as 4 stars for rollover, 4 stars for frontal crash, and 5 stars for side crash protection. In tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Highlander received a "Good" rating--the Institute's highest--for frontal-offset and side-impact crashes. The Highlander also earned a "Good" rating in the Institute's roof strength tests.