Why the Toyota Highlander Delights Drivers

July. 16,2025

Discover the 2016 Toyota Highlander’s key features, performance, safety, and enhancements that make it a popular choice among family SUVs. With its spacious design, advanced safety systems, and impressive towing capacity, the Highlander offers a comfortable and reliable driving experience, including fuel-efficient hybrid options. Ideal for families needing versatility and safety, this SUV combines style, practicality, and advanced technology in a single package.

Why the Toyota Highlander Delights Drivers

Why the Toyota Highlander Delights Drivers

The Toyota Highlander stands out for its versatility and well-rounded performance. The 2016 model offers a blend of comfort, style, and reliability. The latest model is slightly larger, being 2.7 inches longer and half an inch wider than previous versions. Equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, it competes with vehicles like the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer, including a hybrid variant.

Key updates for 2016 include:

  • Pre-collision system
  • Blind-spot detection
  • Lane departure alert
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Standard backup camera
  • Leather seating available from XLE trim
  • Tall sidewall tires for smooth ride
  • Towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for V6 models, featuring heavy-duty cooling components
  • The four-cylinder LE version can tow up to 1,500 pounds

Performance and safety features:

Why the Toyota Highlander delights drivers
  • An all-new six-speed automatic transmission is offered on the LE trim, with an estimated combined fuel economy of 22 mpg.
  • Most trims feature the 3.5-liter V6 engine, with options for front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Fuel efficiency ranges from 20 to 21 mpg combined depending on drivetrain.
  • The Highlander accelerates swiftly, reaching 0-60 mph in approximately 7.3 seconds.
  • Standard safety features include front side airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability controls, driver knee airbag, rearview camera, and front passenger airbag.
  • It received a top safety score of 5/5 in government crash tests.
  • The top-tier Limited trim adds blind spot monitoring, collision mitigation, lane departure alert, and Toyota’s Safety Connect telematics for emergency help, theft recovery, and crash notifications.
  • The hybrid variant boasts impressive fuel economy at 27 mpg combined.

Overall, the 2016 Toyota Highlander is a reliable SUV, serving as a spacious family vehicle packed with safety and performance features.