Background and Identification

The Toyota Highlander (also called the Toyota Kluger) is a mid-size crossover SUV (sport utility vehicle) manufactured by Toyota, a Japanese automaker. The Highlander is built on the same platform as the Toyota Camry. It features a five-door SUV body style and includes a front-engine layout with either front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.

The Toyota Highlander was released in 2000 in Japan and 2001 in North America. It became one of the first car-based mid-size SUVs or mid-size crossover. The Highlander is the crossover cousin to the truck-based Toyota 4Runner, which is more rugged. The Highlander became Toyota’s top-selling SUV before the smaller RAV4 surpassed it in 2006. In Japan and Australia, the name Toyota Kluger is used for the Highlander.

In 2005, Toyota introduced a hybrid version of the Highlander, also called the Kluger Hybrid, that features Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive and a 3.3-liter V6 engine. In North America, the Highlander Hybrid was the first seven-seat hybrid vehicle

Toyota vehicles in the Americas can be identified by the Toyota emblem, which depicts three overlapping ellipses. Highlander automobiles include the name “Highlander” in capital letters on the rear of the vehicle, either directly above the license plate or to one side. Hybrid models also include the Toyota hybrid emblem, which includes the name “Hybrid” in capital letters. Beginning in 2010, hybrid models include a Toyota emblem with a blue tint.

Additional Information