Used 2012 Toyota Highlander Plus for sale 

The 2012 Toyota Highlander is available in three different trims with two distinct engine options and drivetrains. Available as a base, SE, and Limited, the Highlander comes equipped with abundant standard features like auto-off headlights, cruise control, optional backup camera, and keyless entry that make the SUV a pragmatic choice.

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We recommend buying the top-end Limited variant of the Toyota Highlander, which packs all necessary features to make the SUV your perfect family hauler. At $36,195, the all-wheel-drive variant is the best bet as it grants the vehicle with aplomb ride quality. Basic features include a power liftgate, optional remote engine start, and backup camera.

The engine powering your Highlander will solely depend on the trim you choose for. Toyota offers two engine options that work exceedingly well and perform as per expectations. The smaller engine, the 2.7L I-4, is capable of producing 187hp of power and 186lb.-ft of torque and comes mated to a 6-speed-automatic transmission, while the more powerful 3.5L V6 engine churns out 270hp of power and 248lb.-ft of torque. 

The V6 unit makes use of a 5-speed-automatic transmission with sequential shift and a snow mode. The engine on the Highlander either transfers power to the front or all four wheels of the vehicle. While performance figures like the timings in the 60MPH acceleration test and quarter-mile runs are not known, it is known that the base I-4 engine is sluggish in acceleration.

In the segment, the Chevrolet Traverse has a maximum torque output at 266 lb.-ft and is the fastest and quickest car in comparison. The Traverse triumphs over the Jeep Grand Cherokee by clocking 8 and 16.4 seconds respectively in the 60MPH acceleration test and quarter-mile run. The Cherokee takes 9.3 and 16.8 seconds respectively in similar tests. The Honda Pilot makes use of a 5-speed-automatic transmission like the Highlander, while the Jeep and Chevrolet both come mated to a 6-speed-automatic transmission.

The Highlander, like every other Toyota car, has the potential to record decent mileage figures considering its body type and the segment that it falls in. The 2012 Toyota Highlander averages a mileage of 17 MPG in the city and that of 22 MPG on the highway. Combined, the V6 powered SUV manages an average mileage of 19 MPG, which is also what other cars in the segment have to offer. 

The fuel tank has a total capacity of 19.2 gallons, which is the lowest in the segment, and consequently, the Highlander manages the lowest range, covering a total distance of 326.4 and 422.4 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively. The I-4 engine of the Highlander is more fuel-efficient but less powerful, managing an average mileage of 20 and 25 MPG in the city and on the highway, respectively.

In comparison, the Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet’s Traverse manage a similar combined mileage of 19 MPG. However, both these cars feature a larger fuel tank and hence can cover more miles in a single refill than what the Highlander can manage. The Pilot is the most fuel-efficient car on the block. It has an average mileage of 17 and 24 MPG in the city and on the highway, respectively.

The provision of the third row of seats makes the Highlander a true-blue SUV. It feels commodious with plush interiors and reeks of refined build quality. The dual-tone dashboard stands out in a cabin where the central console gets laden with wooden accents on the Limited trim. The seats are comfortable with ample headroom at the occupant’s disposal despite a tapering roofline. The middle row seats of the Highlander have been rationally curated, with a foldable middle seat that allows ease of movement to the third row. The third row of seats, though accord the same level of comfort, it is the legroom that feels short for an adult. 

The Highlander has a total head-, shoulder- and legroom of 39.7/59.7/43.2, 40.1/59.5/38.3, and 36.3/55/29.9 for the front, middle and rear-seat passengers, respectively. The total cargo capacity on offer with all seats in an upright position is 10.3 cubic feet and increases to 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The selling proposition of the Toyota Highlander will be its quiet and silent cabin that isolates you from the hustle-bustle on the road and makes the riding experience supreme.

In comparison, the Honda Pilot can seat 8 passengers, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a seating capacity of 5 passengers only. In terms of passenger volume and cargo capacity, the Highlander does feel small. In terms of cargo capacity, the Chevrolet Traverse is streets ahead of its competitors with a maximum cargo capacity of 116.4 cubic feet, followed by the Toyota Highlander. The Honda Pilot has a total cargo capacity of 87 cubic feet, while the Grand Cherokee lurks at the bottom of the table at 68.7 cubic feet. Some major interior features include:

• Heated Mirrors
• Keyless entry
• Universal garage door opener
• Carpet floor mats
• Interior cargo shade

How intuitive is the 2012 Toyota Highlander’s infotainment unit?

The 2012 Toyota Highlander is equipped with an extensive list of standard features, which include AM/FM radio, CD player, and auxiliary audio input. From the mid-level trim, the Highlander features a 3.5-inch LCD screen that displays vehicle information and doubles up as a navigation screen. Bluetooth connectivity, audio controls on the steering wheel, and an optional entertainment system are quirky additions. Some salient infotainment features include:

• Rear seat entertainment
• JBL sound system (available with the Limited trim)
• AM/FM stereo
• MP3 Player
• Satellite radio

On the outside, the Toyota Highlander remains rather unchanged. It carries the same design elements as before but continues to look refreshing and refined. While for some the Highlander may seem unimaginative, we feel it is neatly designed, something you would like in a car that has been created with the intention to ferry your family. Instead of adorning the Highlander with aggressive design elements, Toyota has opted for a rather subtle approach. The head- and tail lights look disburdened, while the roof rails and front grille look imposing. 

A major advantage of the Toyota Highlander is its sought-after proportions. Being marginally smaller than the other SUVs in the segment, the Highlander has better maneuverability and feels easy to drive. The Toyota Highlander has a total length, width, and height of 188.4, 75.2, and 69.3 inches, respectively. The ground clearance is the lowest in the segment at 8 inches and also features the shortest wheelbase at 108.2 inches.

In comparison, the Chevrolet Traverse is the longest car in the segment, standing at a total length of 205 inches and a wheelbase of 118.9 inches. The Honda Pilot is the tallest in the segment at 72.7, while the Grand Cherokee is the widest at 78.5 inches. In terms of curb weight, the Grand Cherokee is the heaviest car in the segment weighing 5,210 lbs, followed by the Traverse, Pilot, and Highlander at 4,859, 4,550, and 4,210 lbs, respectively. Some standout exterior features include:

• Exhaust tip
• Sun/moonroof
• Rear Spoiler
• Running boards (optional)
• Tow Package

The Toyota Highlander’s safety rating of four stars in the NHTSA crash test is evidence of the reliability and dependability quotient of the SUV. It comes loaded with standard features, which include a tire pressure monitor system, brake assist, and stability control. The Highlander also features advanced safety specifications like dusk-sensing headlights, an engine immobilizer, and a 4-wheel ABS. Some standout features include:

• Daytime Running lights
• Child seat anchors
• Post-collision safety system
• Emergency braking assist
• Front fog lights

Toyota's beefy Highlander has a lot of presence. But this burly SUV is more than what meets the eye. It vaunts economical fuel figures, a powerful V6 engine, and a competitive price sticker. Though it is smaller than other vehicles in the segment and features a soft suspension system, the ride quality at all times remains supreme. The cohesive unification of luxury and practicality is praiseworthy, and we would highly recommend buying the Toyota Highlander.