Highlander comes with reclining front bucket seats in front. These seats are flat and lean, but supportive and comfortable and adjust to suit various-size drivers. Their higher ride height provides a commanding view of the road. The sloping hood of the Highlander makes the forward view even more encompassing.
The second row seats up to three passengers, but is better for two. The center of the second-row seat folds down into an arm rest with cup holders, adding comfort, and the seats recline for additional comfort. It's split 60/40 and folds down with a cleverly articulated seat bottom. It folds fairly flat but not perfectly flat. The second-row seat slides forward to make access to the third row easier, and to provide more legroom for third-row passengers.
Toyota intends for the third row to be used only occasionally. As average-sized adults, we found sitting in the third row uncomfortable. Our knees rode high, there's minimal leg room, hip room and shoulder room. This relatively cramped situation makes the third-row seats best for short trips or kids. The Honda Pilot offers substantially more hip and shoulder room in the third row, but legroom is the same story. Also, the side-curtain airbags do not protect third-row passengers as they do in a Toyota Sienna minivan. Bottom line: Consider a minivan if you need the third row often. Purely for transporting people, a minivan will always be better. Highlander's third-row seat does fold flat into the floor, with no need to remove the headrests, so you still get the greater cargo-carrying utility of an SUV. Third-row seats are packaged with rear privacy glass, a rear heater system with separate fan controls, and additional cup holders.
Up front, you'll find everything in its place. Power window buttons are right there on the doors. Ventilation ducts are right where you would expect to find them. Radio and heater controls use simple dials and amply sized buttons and operate intuitively. Instruments are readily visible through a panoramic space in the comfortable four-spoke steering wheel. The whole layout indicates thoughtful appraisal and wise choices.
Interior trim and fabrics in all Highlanders are conservative and generally tasteful. V6 models come with aluminum interior accents. Limited models come with simulated silver and burled maple wood-grain dash trim and door scuff plates, but the wood grain trim on the center stack looks like fake wood. The standard climate control is a single-zone system.
The shifter is uniquely positioned more as a part of the dash than on a central console. This opens up the space between the front seats. It also lends an open, unconfined air to the cockpit. The interior is outfitted with dome, door courtesy, glove box and cargo-area lighting. Map pockets, visor mirrors, and front and rear auxiliary power outlets are provided. The driver's window has one-touch Auto-down.
Highlander provides a large amount of cargo space: 80.6 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded. The second row does not fold perfectly flat, but the third row folds flat and does not take up cargo space. Most people end up riding around with the second-row in place for passengers and the third row folded flat into the floor, leaving nearly 40 cubic feet of space available for stuff. Opening up the third-row seat leaves only 10.5 cubic feet behind it for cargo. The Honda Pilot offers more cargo space. A neat feature: The cargo cover stows.
