Midsize SUVs are popular among families looking for a vehicle that will meet their needs. While there’s a ton of them out to choose from, it will be hard to distinguish reliable ones from the unreliable ones. One such SUV meets the mark, though, and that’s the Toyota Highlander. 

Consumer Reports included the Highlander in its list of the most reliable midsize SUVs for a few different reasons. Let’s look at what they had to say about this sports utility vehicle and why it deserves a place on the list. 

What vehicles are found on this list?

Consumer Reports didn’t just list a few SUVs and call it good. They took the ones that had the best reliability ratings and compiled them in one place. This way you can find a midsize SUV that will bring you the best value for your hard-earned money. 

The list consists of a mixture of two and three-row sport utility vehicles. The highest-rated midsize SUV is the 2021 Kia Telluride, which earned a score of 97 out of 100. With a powerful V6 engine, roomy interior cabin, and impressive towing capacity, it’s no wonder that it made the list. 

The 2020 Nissan Murano made it in the eighth spot with a score of 79 out of 100 possible points. Its predicted reliability rating is four out of five, which is pretty good for the midsize SUV market. It has an average fuel economy rating and smaller trunk space than its rivals, but it has a plush interior with high-quality materials. 

The most notable SUV on the list is the Toyota Highlander. 

How did the Toyota Highlander make it on the list?

The Toyota Highlander comes in third on the list with an overall score of 84 out of 100 points. While the normal powertrain offers 22 mpg combined, the hybrid model gets an impressive 35 mpg overall. 

Toyota made some improvements from the previous models. One is the handling, which is now a touch livelier than the last generation model. There are also some upgrades to the fit and finish of the interior, especially at the higher trims. The second row is roomy, but the third row remains a bit small. Lastly, Toyota made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility standard instead of an available feature like before. 

Its reliability is really what got the Highlander on the list, receiving a score of four out of five. With several years under its belt, this Toyota has had a few major problems reported. The only complaint came from a 2014 model, which had body hardware and in-car electronics issues. 

There were a few minor problems listed like the fuel system, but overall, the Highlander, like many other Toyota vehicles, remains one of the most reliable vehicles on the market. 

What else does the Toyota Highlander offer?

When it comes to the driver’s assistance features, the Highlander has standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot warning is also offered but as an available feature. As with all of their vehicles, it comes with the Toyota Sense Suite 2.5, which is their set of safety features. 

It comes with a V6 engine that produces 295 hp, which has an acceleration time of 7.3 seconds for a 0 to 60 run. The hybrid powertrain comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor paired with an electric motor that doesn’t seem to have as much get up and go as the V6, but it brings better EPA ratings. 

While it comes with hill descent control, the Highlander isn’t meant to do any serious off-roading. It could handle a dirt path pretty well, but you don’t want to push it with this Toyota. 

Usability in the Highlander is top-notch since all controls are easy to use and easy to figure out, no matter what the knobs are for. There’s also plenty of little storage nooks and crannies to keep your phone or other items safe and secure.

The Toyota Highlander is third on the Consumer Reports list of the most reliable midsize SUVs for a reason. It has the Toyota reliability seal of approval as well as its improved features. If you’re looking for an SUV and you want to get good value for your money, the Highlander would be a great choice.