Thanks for the review. Two things I notice about highlanders is owners typically love them and keep them long term. I call the highlander the goldilocks of SUV'S.
I’m test driving this and the pilot this weekend. We have had great luck with Honda’s and keep our cars 10 plus years. I love the telluride and palisade I just am not sure how reliable they are and that’s the most important when we want to keep a car a long while.
Not sure if your still looking for a car but wanted to say we have a Kia and absolutely love it! And to top it off, Kia is offering 10 year warranties on all their cars.
We just purchased our first ever brand new car but not before watching every single one of your car reviews ha! Thank you thank you thank you for your thoughtful reviews!!!
When I bought my Pilot almost 4 years ago, the negatives that you are pointing out here are ultimately why we decided to go with the Pilot. I wanted to like the Highlander more, but I wanted a more functional 3rd row and more trunk space. Have you ever thought about doing comparison videos? Like 2015 Pilot vs 2016 Pilot? I just mention this one bc I know it was a model change. When buying used this was something we took into account, bc functionality was more important than looks, for us.
If you see this, do you LOVE your pilot? I’m currently comparing the same two. I need more space but I don’t necessarily need the 3rd row. I feel like Honda gets so much right with the pilot, just bummed about gas mileage. Tell me your thoughts if you wouldn’t mind. 😊
@@Ididntwantayoutubehandl I do love my Pilot. We always have a ton of stuff when we go on vacation and I wish it was just a bit bigger. We have the bench for our middle row, and I wish it was a bit more convenient to get in the 3rd row, but we only use it when family rides with us, so it isn't a huge issue. I know we wouldn't have been happy in the highlander, but everytime I see one on the road, I wish the inside could be like the pilot. I am excited to see that there is supposed to be a new highlander next year and it sounds like it's going to be bigger. 🤞🏻Also, for the record, mine is a 2015 so it's the old body style. I believe the newer ones are a little smaller.
I’m so happy I found you both here and Instagram! It’s very innovative and totally needed in this space! As a mom I couldn’t find out anything from a moms perspective of what I needed and was looking for! Love it! Waiting on the Ford Explorer review (:
I’m a new subscriber and I love what you’re doing! Just watched your insta stories so I wanted to come give my little review! I’m currently driving a 2021 highlander XLE as a rental, my car is in the shop, so I’ve had the highlander for about 6 weeks now. I have 4 kids, ages 2, 7, 10, 13. Also due with my 5th! My 13 year can absolutely not fit in the third row. He has no knee space, he is right around 5’9. My 10 year old daughter, BARELY fit in the third row. She HATES that third row. She complains about it all the time about lack of room. She can’t wait for my to get my car back, which is a third row 2015 pathfinder SV. Nothing serious! The middle row in the highlander is okay. The one I have has captains chairs, which is nice, but because of the arm rests on the captains seats, the walkway between the two seats is TINY! They have to squeeze to get to the back. HATE the cup holders right in the middle of the seats in the floor! Like what the heck? Lol. Some things I love: Sport mode is a BEAST in that car! Very fast. I love all of the charging ports! Love the phone charger in the middle console. Love the safety features: tells you if you start going off the road, blind spot warnings. Very safe. Love the sun visors in the back! Love the upper vents for the rear seats! Overall, due to the lack of room and space between the captains chairs, and lack of knee space in third row, it’s not a car I will be considering for my next one!
This was so helpful thanks. I have had a highlander since 2013 and was considering getting the 2021 but my concern is that the Atlas might be better suited for my 8 and 6 yr old. We don't use the third row so keep it down mostly. Agree the middle for the captain seats is so weird so I might just take the bench again. Between the Atlas and the Highlander XLE what do you recommend? Safety wise it seems the highlander fares better.
@@aseesanand A family of four with a dog or two will easily fit in the Highlander. The third row is for folding for more cargo space, for seating children who Or pass the car seat age but are not teenagers unless they are smaller teenagers, and for dogs. I’m afraid if you are one of the few people who actually need to regularly seat teenagers and full grown adults in the third row then you would probably need to move to a minivan for those type of passenger accommodations. If you need massive interior room and cargo space and want to stay with an SUV then yes the atlas would be more for you. The trade-offs are going to be gas mileage, maneuverability, parking and trying to fit an atlas in your garage. Also the platinum trim Highlander is a seriously nice looking car inside and out when you get to it in person the videos do not do it justice in my opinion. And you get a lot of luxury for an suv in the low $50,000
Just test drove a Highlander and hated it for all the reasons you’ve mentioned. Few nice features for sure but overall we were much happier with what you get for a similar price in an Odyssey
My 2016 platinum highlander which is basically this exact car, does have a light in the trunk. It’s on the right side close to the door. It’s small and doesn’t put out a ton of light, but there is one. You should double check the 2020 for that.
Love the info! Would love to see more vehicles for 3 kids also more GM chevy Ford brands. Personally, we are thinking about adding a 3rd baby and we need to upgrade from our equinox.
Thanks for watching Megan! I have more tours on my instagram IGTV (@the_car_mom). I do plan on getting to all the cars on RUclips as well but in the mean time you can find more tours there!
@@TheCarMom can you also talk about price negotiations and things to expect when talking price for new and used vehicles? Things to help get the most bang for your buck?
Lol you have the same sentiments I had about the drive when I test drove this vehicle. Plus I'm short and the vehicle felt like it was made for taller people. I could not / did not buy that vehicle because it just wasn't. :) I got a VW Atlas instead. Excited to watch your Lexus review. I test drove that one too and it was just too heavy for me.
I believe u can fit the vista in the trunk with third row up if u take off one back wheel. I did it once in my Lexus RX 350L. I could be wrong but this could be an option if u don’t usually need to third row up.
This is super frustrating bc that hybrid engine is so enticing. But we're a family that would always have a child in the back (a tall one at that) so this is probably a no go. It's like 6" less space than the Atlas.
You have this labeled as the 2020 Toyota Highlander but from the front grill I’m pretty positive it’s the 2021... You also made the comment that it drives like a truck, I don’t feel that way at all in driving the Highlander, 4Runner yes but not the Highlander...
Toyota didn’t make any changes to the grill in 2021 is the same as the 2020 redesign. And I agree with you we have the 2021 platinum and I don’t feel like it drives like a truck at all
@@lanellmcintosh7730 yes, And you are correct as the XSE is a new sporty trim level for 2021. We have the 2021 Highlander Platinum. It’s annoying that they force you to get captains chairs only in the highest trim and a lot of manufacturers are doing that for some reason which I’m sure is based on customer surveys etc. That being said when we had four children we had the sienna minivan. Now we are down to one teenager who’s going to be driving soon and the other three are moved out and or have their own vehicles. The seven seat Highlander in my opinion is really a four passenger vehicle with room for a couple of labradors or golden retrievers in the third row. It just doesn’t have enough space to be a family hauler in my opinion of five or more people full-time.
Just found your channel amazing!!! We are looking for a midsize suv I have twin boys that are 18months. I like the highlander telluride the last option is the Nissan Pathfinder if you could do a review on that it would be great.
I would love to know, what are some of your favorite 7 passenger suvs on the market? I want a third row and some trunk space without driving something gigantic! Currently in an xc60 and its just too small for 3rd baby coming & 3 kids in carseats
Hi there. When you have 2 car seats installed in the second row (1 in each captain's chair), is it possible for an adult to access the third row? If so, how do you do it? Enter in front of the front-facing car seat then squeeze between the captain's chairs, or enter behind the front-facing car seat? Thanks!
Wouldve loved to see an eight seater highlander with extra carseats maybe booster seats and baby seats Would you accommodate any seats in the third rows so far I haven’t seen it in any of your videos Thanks for your videos
For understandable reasons manufacturers normally seem to send the car reviewers the very top trim so that they can show us all of the features that a particular model can offer. Unfortunately in the top trim of the Highlander you cannot get the second row bench seat this also seems to be a trend in the industry when you go for the very top trim with these SUVs.
Would you happen to know the car seat capabilities for the bench seat option? Basically I want to know if you can fit 3 car seats across in the highlander.
In regards to the comment that it rides like a truck. Sorry but that is highly inaccurate-I have owned suburbans expeditions f150s f250s and this does not ride anything like any of those trucks.
It's so refreshing to hear a woman review a car from a functional perspective.
A size 5 diaper for reference. This is why I love your videos! 🙌🏾 So much better to hear from a mom.
its the things that really matter lol! thanks so much for watching!
Thanks for the review. Two things I notice about highlanders is owners typically love them and keep them long term. I call the highlander the goldilocks of SUV'S.
I’m test driving this and the pilot this weekend. We have had great luck with Honda’s and keep our cars 10 plus years. I love the telluride and palisade I just am not sure how reliable they are and that’s the most important when we want to keep a car a long while.
Not sure if your still looking for a car but wanted to say we have a Kia and absolutely love it! And to top it off, Kia is offering 10 year warranties on all their cars.
@@LB-up7mc Toyota is offering lifetime now
@@DPLZNT really?
@@JoyFay I was offered it on my 21 highlander. 🙂
We just purchased our first ever brand new car but not before watching every single one of your car reviews ha! Thank you thank you thank you for your thoughtful reviews!!!
I love my 2020 highlander!! The safety is what blew us away! I love your analogy on picking a car is like a wedding dress. I think that is so true! 💕
SO happy to hear its working for you and your family! and thank you for watching :)
That trunk mat on the back of the seats is awesome!
Right?! How is that not standard in all cars!?
I am currently looking at the Sorento hybrid and Highlander hybrid. Your review of both (non- hybrid) cars have been so helpful!
Which did you get?
I was skeptical but The Highlander drives amazing and is so comfortable.
When I bought my Pilot almost 4 years ago, the negatives that you are pointing out here are ultimately why we decided to go with the Pilot. I wanted to like the Highlander more, but I wanted a more functional 3rd row and more trunk space. Have you ever thought about doing comparison videos? Like 2015 Pilot vs 2016 Pilot? I just mention this one bc I know it was a model change. When buying used this was something we took into account, bc functionality was more important than looks, for us.
Hi there! I think thats a great idea! Thanks :)
If you see this, do you LOVE your pilot? I’m currently comparing the same two. I need more space but I don’t necessarily need the 3rd row.
I feel like Honda gets so much right with the pilot, just bummed about gas mileage. Tell me your thoughts if you wouldn’t mind. 😊
@@Ididntwantayoutubehandl I do love my Pilot. We always have a ton of stuff when we go on vacation and I wish it was just a bit bigger. We have the bench for our middle row, and I wish it was a bit more convenient to get in the 3rd row, but we only use it when family rides with us, so it isn't a huge issue. I know we wouldn't have been happy in the highlander, but everytime I see one on the road, I wish the inside could be like the pilot. I am excited to see that there is supposed to be a new highlander next year and it sounds like it's going to be bigger. 🤞🏻Also, for the record, mine is a 2015 so it's the old body style. I believe the newer ones are a little smaller.
Curious: did you go with 2015 Pilot or 2016 Pilot?
12:39 Way to go Kelley’s sister, videographer, editor AND build your own version demonstrator! Yea Family! 😀
Thankyou for the awesome review it helped me in buying 2021 highlander xle
Would love to see the Acura MDX!
I bought the XSE trim and I love it!
I’m so happy I found you both here and Instagram! It’s very innovative and totally needed in this space! As a mom I couldn’t find out anything from a moms perspective of what I needed and was looking for! Love it! Waiting on the Ford Explorer review (:
Thank you for the tour!! I would love to see an Atlas next!!
Check her other videos, she already read your mind and did an awesome review!
I’m a new subscriber and I love what you’re doing! Just watched your insta stories so I wanted to come give my little review! I’m currently driving a 2021 highlander XLE as a rental, my car is in the shop, so I’ve had the highlander for about 6 weeks now. I have 4 kids, ages 2, 7, 10, 13. Also due with my 5th! My 13 year can absolutely not fit in the third row. He has no knee space, he is right around 5’9. My 10 year old daughter, BARELY fit in the third row. She HATES that third row. She complains about it all the time about lack of room. She can’t wait for my to get my car back, which is a third row 2015 pathfinder SV. Nothing serious! The middle row in the highlander is okay. The one I have has captains chairs, which is nice, but because of the arm rests on the captains seats, the walkway between the two seats is TINY! They have to squeeze to get to the back. HATE the cup holders right in the middle of the seats in the floor! Like what the heck? Lol. Some things I love: Sport mode is a BEAST in that car! Very fast. I love all of the charging ports! Love the phone charger in the middle console. Love the safety features: tells you if you start going off the road, blind spot warnings. Very safe. Love the sun visors in the back! Love the upper vents for the rear seats! Overall, due to the lack of room and space between the captains chairs, and lack of knee space in third row, it’s not a car I will be considering for my next one!
Thank you so much for leaving this feedback! I so appreciate it!
@@TheCarMom of course! Just trying to help in any way I can! I know I love to see reviews as well!
This was so helpful thanks. I have had a highlander since 2013 and was considering getting the 2021 but my concern is that the Atlas might be better suited for my 8 and 6 yr old. We don't use the third row so keep it down mostly. Agree the middle for the captain seats is so weird so I might just take the bench again. Between the Atlas and the Highlander XLE what do you recommend? Safety wise it seems the highlander fares better.
@@aseesanand A family of four with a dog or two will easily fit in the Highlander. The third row is for folding for more cargo space, for seating children who Or pass the car seat age but are not teenagers unless they are smaller teenagers, and for dogs. I’m afraid if you are one of the few people who actually need to regularly seat teenagers and full grown adults in the third row then you would probably need to move to a minivan for those type of passenger accommodations. If you need massive interior room and cargo space and want to stay with an SUV then yes the atlas would be more for you. The trade-offs are going to be gas mileage, maneuverability, parking and trying to fit an atlas in your garage. Also the platinum trim Highlander is a seriously nice looking car inside and out when you get to it in person the videos do not do it justice in my opinion. And you get a lot of luxury for an suv in the low $50,000
Please do a review of the 2020 or 2021 ford explorer XLT!
Love my 2021 Highlander! Love your reviews! 🤍
Just test drove a Highlander and hated it for all the reasons you’ve mentioned. Few nice features for sure but overall we were much happier with what you get for a similar price in an Odyssey
Odyssey is amazing! Spaceship on wheels!
My 2016 platinum highlander which is basically this exact car, does have a light in the trunk. It’s on the right side close to the door. It’s small and doesn’t put out a ton of light, but there is one. You should double check the 2020 for that.
I also pray when I close the hatch and the trunk is full of baby gear 😆 love the review videos! Keep up the good work
Love the info! Would love to see more vehicles for 3 kids also more GM chevy Ford brands. Personally, we are thinking about adding a 3rd baby and we need to upgrade from our equinox.
Thanks for watching Megan! I have more tours on my instagram IGTV (@the_car_mom). I do plan on getting to all the cars on RUclips as well but in the mean time you can find more tours there!
@@TheCarMom great I’ll check those out! Thank you!
@@TheCarMom can you also talk about price negotiations and things to expect when talking price for new and used vehicles? Things to help get the most bang for your buck?
Please do a top 10 list!
I don’t think this one makes her top 20.
Love this videos! I’ll be shopping for a car soon and I’m here for all of it! 💕😍😎
Thank you! Im glad you're here!
@@TheCarMom thanks for hiring me into the company! 😂😎🥰 #iykyk
Lol you have the same sentiments I had about the drive when I test drove this vehicle. Plus I'm short and the vehicle felt like it was made for taller people. I could not / did not buy that vehicle because it just wasn't. :) I got a VW Atlas instead. Excited to watch your Lexus review. I test drove that one too and it was just too heavy for me.
I believe u can fit the vista in the trunk with third row up if u take off one back wheel. I did it once in my Lexus RX 350L. I could be wrong but this could be an option if u don’t usually need to third row up.
my mom wants this car a lot, but she can't afford it. when I graduate med school I am 100% buying the Lexus version for her.
Do you have plans to review the 2022 Highlander Platinum? Pretty please!
Love all ya videos, Would love to see Honda Pilot and passport!!
This is super frustrating bc that hybrid engine is so enticing. But we're a family that would always have a child in the back (a tall one at that) so this is probably a no go. It's like 6" less space than the Atlas.
wait, is the 3rd row reclined back some? i’ve seen a vista fit when it’s straight up … 👀
Can you sit in between two car seats if you get bench seats?
You have this labeled as the 2020 Toyota Highlander but from the front grill I’m pretty positive it’s the 2021...
You also made the comment that it drives like a truck, I don’t feel that way at all in driving the Highlander, 4Runner yes but not the Highlander...
Toyota didn’t make any changes to the grill in 2021 is the same as the 2020 redesign. And I agree with you we have the 2021 platinum and I don’t feel like it drives like a truck at all
@@Ryan2022 I was thinking of the XSE, it’s grill is different from the rest of them...lol
@@lanellmcintosh7730 yes, And you are correct as the XSE is a new sporty trim level for 2021. We have the 2021 Highlander Platinum. It’s annoying that they force you to get captains chairs only in the highest trim and a lot of manufacturers are doing that for some reason which I’m sure is based on customer surveys etc. That being said when we had four children we had the sienna minivan. Now we are down to one teenager who’s going to be driving soon and the other three are moved out and or have their own vehicles. The seven seat Highlander in my opinion is really a four passenger vehicle with room for a couple of labradors or golden retrievers in the third row. It just doesn’t have enough space to be a family hauler in my opinion of five or more people full-time.
I was super surprised to hear her say it drives like a truck. And the air cooled seats are amazing during my North Carolina summers. 🤷♀️
Please do the GMC Acadia. I'm thinking of buying the highlander or Acadia and can't decide!
I was seriously considering this car but now I’m kinda turned off by it. I’m thinking about test driving the Subaru Ascent.
I LOVE the Ascent. I have done a tour, its on my IGTV on Instagram :)
Just found your channel amazing!!! We are looking for a midsize suv I have twin boys that are 18months. I like the highlander telluride the last option is the Nissan Pathfinder if you could do a review on that it would be great.
I would love to see a 4Runner and any volvo SUVs. Love your videos!!
4Runner coming soon!
Wow! Amazing !😍
"They don't look like their married, they look like they just met." Halarouis.. 🤣
Didn’t your stroller fit in your other 2020 Highlander tour? Is the trunk space different in the different models?
Can we see the Rav4 Hybrid next? I’m SWOONING over the XSE trim! Super sleek!
Hi! Yes, i will add it to my list! I agree it looks so sharp!
Yes! Please do hybrids!
Can you review the new Highlander hybrid?
I would love to know, what are some of your favorite 7 passenger suvs on the market? I want a third row and some trunk space without driving something gigantic! Currently in an xc60 and its just too small for 3rd baby coming & 3 kids in carseats
Any big differences for the 2022?
I like the older models better honestly!
I think I do also!
We went with the 2019 Highlander (dealer car with super low miles) over the newer model. Then upgraded the infotainment for $600-now it’s perfect!
Hi there. When you have 2 car seats installed in the second row (1 in each captain's chair), is it possible for an adult to access the third row?
If so, how do you do it? Enter in front of the front-facing car seat then squeeze between the captain's chairs, or enter behind the front-facing car seat?
Thanks!
I just got one and yes, you’re exactly right. But it’s a tight squeeze!
Wouldve loved to see an eight seater highlander with extra carseats maybe booster seats and baby seats
Would you accommodate any seats in the third rows so far I haven’t seen it in any of your videos
Thanks for your videos
For understandable reasons manufacturers normally seem to send the car reviewers the very top trim so that they can show us all of the features that a particular model can offer. Unfortunately in the top trim of the Highlander you cannot get the second row bench seat this also seems to be a trend in the industry when you go for the very top trim with these SUVs.
Idk if you did something different on this one but EASILY the best “build your own” tutorial yet!
Have you reviewed a Hyundai palisade? Loved the Kia telluride
I have on my IG Story highlights! @the_car_mom
@@TheCarMom can you upload to RUclips please some people dont have instagram
Can you review a Nissan Pathfinder please!
was the ride smooth ?
beautiful car😍
Do we know what safety features come in the packages (lane departure, ACC)?
If you go on Toyotas website and select build you own it breaks it down nicely!
Would you happen to know the car seat capabilities for the bench seat option? Basically I want to know if you can fit 3 car seats across in the highlander.
Check out this article by thecarseatlady thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/suv/toyota-highlander/
If you're still wondering, I was able to fit 3 across with a chicco key fit 30, and 2 of the new graco slim fit 3 lx convertible seats
@@amberabeyta4769 do you think you could fit 3 slim fits forward facing ?
@@rosemelissabeureuse3469 I haven't tried it but based on my current set up I do think you'd be able to fit 3 of the newer slimfit 3lx forward facing.
Thanks for the tour! Not my cup of tea but it’s a nice car.
Thanks for watching, ,Melissa!
You should try the Toyota RAV4.
Toyota RAV4?! I would love to see that!
Honda Pilot review?
Can you do a Lexus RX, please?!
would love volvo xc90 and lexus gx460 and land rover discovery
Wow this review saved me from buying a highlander. It really is so much smaller than it looks. Holy crap.
In regards to the comment that it rides like a truck. Sorry but that is highly inaccurate-I have owned suburbans expeditions f150s f250s and this does not ride anything like any of those trucks.
I would love to see the Chevy equinox
can you review 2021 highlander please
It’s the same as the 2020
Would love to see 2020 escape!
It's nice.
Toyota Rav 4 please?
On my list!
Honda Pilot
Volvo suv pleas.!
I would like to see a 4Runner with 3 rows
I want to buy a car from you! And you only!!
omg youre so sweet!
love your Chanel i have one question kelly are you single or married ?
Awesome 😍💋 💝💖♥️❤️
U r 😁 funny
Lovely 😍💋 💝💖❤️
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