Highlander 2021

Sceptical when I ordered — playing it safe rather than exciting myself. A year in, genuinely impressed. More refined than expected, seats comfortable on long trips, nothing unexpected has gone wrong.

Reliability has been below the brand's reputation. Two dealer visits in the first year for issues that shouldn't exist on a new car. Interior quality also doesn't match the asking price.

Fourteen months, more time at the dealer than my driveway. Turbo failed at 8,000 miles, infotainment blank at 11,000 miles, persistent vibration they cannot locate. First and last experience with this brand.

Nervous buying without testing more alternatives but after 18 months: not a single unplanned shop visit. Safety features have intervened twice on the motorway. Comfortable on long journeys, easy to park. Everything you want.

1,200-mile round trip with two kids and a dog. Boot swallowed everything, rear space genuinely comfortable, fuel stops infrequent. Kids slept most of the way. Ultimate endorsement.

Bought for practicality, expected dull. Wrong. Chassis is genuinely sorted — accurate steering, good body control, eager engine. Makes you look forward to driving.

Eight months in — fuel efficiency, comfort, and city traffic handling are all impressive. Gripes: rear legroom slightly tight for tall adults, auto transmission occasionally hesitates. Minor. Overall package excellent.

Mid-spec was the sweet spot. Heated seats, wireless CarPlay, blind-spot monitoring all standard. Build quality honest and durable. No showiness, just exactly what I needed.

Functional but underwhelming. Ride is fine, fuel economy acceptable, reliable enough. But every time I get in I feel I settled. Looking at competitors for my next car.

At this price point the 2021 Toyota Highlander is difficult to beat on pure value. Generous standard equipment, solid reliability record, and depreciation that won't sting too badly.