2004 Toyota Highlander Review
Price: $10,828

Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Seats up to seven, carlike ride and handling, smooth and powerful V6 engine, fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, lots of safety features.
Cons
- Gets expensive quickly, limited towing and off-road ability, bland personality.
What’s new
For 2004, a larger 3.3-liter V6 replaces the 3.0-liter engine, resulting in 10 extra horsepower for a total of 230. Additionally, a fold-flat third-row seat (for two passengers) is now optional on base models and standard on the Limited. To keep the extra passengers content in back, a rear DVD entertainment system is available on Limited models. On the safety front, all Highlanders now come with an electronic stability control system and a tire-pressure warning system, while side curtain airbags for the first and second rows are optional across the board. Rounding out the changes are freshened exterior styling, new seat fabric, new instrument and door panel trim and a 5-hp boost for the base four-cylinder engine (now rated at 160).
Edmunds says
Energized by a more powerful V6, an available third-row seat and new safety features, the Highlander is again one of our top recommendations for those who need SUV utility but don't want any unnecessary bulk or fuel bills.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
112 listings
- 51,726 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- AutoNation Toyota Leesburg (6 mi away)
- Five Star Dealer
- AWD/4WD
- Heated seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Third-row seating
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Leesburg, VA
Leather Trim PkgPwr SunroofSide Curtain AirbagsSun/MoonroofLeather Seats3rd Row SeatHeated Front SeatsAM/FM Stereo W/Cassette/6-Disc In-Dash CD...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTEEP21A540048924
Stock: 40048924
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-02-2025- $6,950fair price$578 below market
- 149,403 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Capital Auto Sales (25 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Third-row seating
- Power Driver Seat
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Auto Climate Control
Close
Located in Frederick, MD
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTEEP21A740036984
Stock: 036984
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-08-2025
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.02 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$174/mo for Highlander Base
Highlander Base
vs
$173/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Toyota Highlander Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(83%)
4(14%)
3(2%)
2(0%)
1(1%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
this car for safety
5 out of 5 starsrusselllarson, 07/23/2015
2004 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
If your looking for safety this is a great car. I was in a accident with a semi truck should of been dead this car saved my life. I'm sad to see it go would like to get another. And it ran great no problems
No Complaints
4.25 out of 5 starspeakcoach, 10/07/2011
2004 Toyota Highlander Fwd 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 4A)
My 2004 Highlander has 170,000 miles on it, is running strong, and not one problem
This vehicle has served me well. Only general maintenance like fluid flushes, filter replacements and tire replacements.
My Baby
5 out of 5 starsJohn Zawisza, 07/26/2017
2004 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
I bought this baby new in 2004 with the trailering package ,and have only used full synthetic oil. I never pulled anything with her even though I had the trailering package. I now have 221,000 miles on her, and she does not leak any of the full synthetic oil. I changed timing belt ( it is still intact hanging in my garage ) at 200,000. Other than batteries, tires ( only Michelin ), … brakes and coolant flushing, I have had 3 repairs, as follows: 1) rack & pinion steering ( where I live we have two seasons winter and construction ( pot holes everywhere ). 2) power window not functioning ( I tried to open the window in friged weather and I caused the failure. 3) oxygen sensor at 210,000 miles. I think the trailering package helped with longer life on the suspension system and engine life ( larger transmission cooler ). She rides like a luxury car always has and still does !!!
Expensive to maintain
3.38 out of 5 starsdoug128, 10/02/2011
2004 Toyota Highlander AWD 4dr SUV w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
I enjoy driving the Highlander but I have found it very expensive to maintain. I have had to replace 7 wheel bearings and the drive shaft to the rear wheels because of the bearings. It has 93,000 miles on it now. Brakes have also been expensive as it seems the ABS sensor are quite sensitive to failure and have had to replace some with the brakes which makes it very costly. I bought the … Toyota as it was rated as a reliable car. It has turned out to be very expensive!
2004 Highlander Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $24,080 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $174/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 39.7 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Highlander include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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