History of Toyota Highlander in Timeline
The Toyota Highlander, also called the Toyota Kluger in certain regions, is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Toyota since 2000. It's characterized by its three-row seating, making it a popular choice for families needing extra passenger capacity. As a crossover SUV, it blends features of both SUVs and passenger cars. It is part of Toyota's vehicle lineup, showcasing Toyota's engineering and design in the mid-size SUV market. Its long production run indicates its lasting appeal and Toyota's commitment to this vehicle class.
1 hour ago : Toyota Highlander recalled for seat defect: Over 550,000 vehicles affected in US.
Toyota issued a recall for over 550,000 Highlander vehicles in the US due to a seat-back defect. The NHTSA announced the recall, citing safety concerns related to seat locking mechanisms. Affected owners will be notified.
1996: 4Runner Length Comparison
The 1996 4Runner's length was compared to the Highlander.
April 2000: Highlander Announced at New York Auto Show
In April 2000, the Toyota Highlander was announced at the New York International Auto Show.
2000: Toyota Highlander Production
In 2000, Toyota started producing the Toyota Highlander, a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating.
January 2001: North American Arrival
In January 2001, the Toyota Highlander arrived in North America.
2001: Safety Features
From 2001-03, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution were standard. Vehicle Stability Control w/traction control optional on 2001–03 models.
2001: Highlander Configuration
In 2001, the Highlander came in a five-seat configuration and was a sales success for Toyota.
2001: Kluger Release in Japan and Australia
In 2001, the Japanese and Australian Kluger was released with a center console integrated with the dashboard.
2001: Base and Limited Models Present
When the Highlander was initially introduced in 2001, the base and Limited models were available.
August 2002: 4Runner Redesign
In August 2002, the redesigned 4Runner surpassed the Highlander in length.
2002: Integrated Center Console in US Highlanders
In late 2001 for the 2002 model year, the integrated center console was introduced in all US Highlanders and in Canadian Limited Highlanders.
2003: Original Alloy Wheels
From 2001-2003, the Highlander Limited and B-Package models had alloy wheels.
2003: Integrated Center Console in Canadian Highlanders
In late 2003, for the 2004 model year, the integrated center console was introduced in all Canadian Highlanders.
2004: Engine and Transmission Updates
For the 2004 model year, an updated 3.3-liter engine and a new five-speed automatic transmission were introduced for the V6-powered models. The spare tire became accessible from underneath the vehicle. Subtle changes were made to the front grille, front and rear bumpers, headlights and tail lights.
2004: Wheel Changes for Limited Trim
For the 2004 model year, the wheels on the Limited trim changed from a six-spoke to a five-spoke alloy, and the base-model Highlander wheels also changed from steel-rims to the alloy wheels that were on the 2001–2003 model year Highlander Limited and B-Package.
2004: Standard Safety Features
In 2004, Vehicle Stability Control w/traction control became standard, and a tire pressure monitor was also standard. Hybrids came standard with VDIM.
2004: Seven-Seat Configuration
In 2004, a seven-seat configuration of the Highlander became available.
2004: Integrated Center Console in Canadian Highlanders
In 2004, the integrated center console was introduced in all Canadian Highlanders.
2004: Hybrid Drivetrain Unveiled
Toyota unveiled the hybrid drivetrain for the Kluger Hybrid at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.
July 2005: Hybrid Model Offered
In July 2005, the hybrid version of the Toyota Kluger was offered to the public as a 2006 model.
2005: Driver Fatality Rate Report
A 2001-2005 report found the Highlander had one of the lowest driver fatality rates among all vehicles.
2005: Canadian Highlander Configuration
In 2005, for the 2006 model year, Highlanders sold in Canada were offered only in a V6 all-wheel drive configuration.
2006: Hybrid Model Availability
In 2006, Hybrid models were available with part-time four-wheel drive in Canada, referred to as 4WD-i.
2006: Navigation System Introduction
In 2006, a DVD-based navigation system was introduced to the Highlander as an option on the Hybrid Limited trim.
2006: RAV4 Surpasses Highlander in US Sales
In 2006, the Toyota RAV4 surpassed the Toyota Highlander as Toyota's best-selling SUV in the US.
2006: Kluger Hybrid Model Release
The Kluger Hybrid was released in 2006.
May 2007: Production at Miyata Plant
In May 2007, the XU40 was initially produced exclusively at Toyota Motor Kyushu's Miyata plant for all global markets.
2007: Vehicle Stability Control Questioned
In 2007, during testing for Wheels magazine Car of the Year, the magazine's editor rolled the Highlander/Kluger, and criticised the vehicle's stability system stating that "Deficiencies in the Kluger's ESP contributed to the crash".
2007: Standard Side Airbags
In 2007, side airbags became standard, and the curtain airbags gained a rollover sensor.
2007: Highlander Unveiling at 2007 LA Auto Show
In 2007, the Highlander was unveiled at the LA Auto Show.
2007: Highlander Configuration
Until 2007, the Highlander came in five and seven seat configurations.
2008: Sole Powertrain
In 2008, the sole powertrain for the Highlander was a 270 hp 3.5-liter V6 mated to a five-speed automatic.
2009: Four-Cylinder Engine Offered
In 2009, Toyota offered a 4-cylinder for 5-passenger front-wheel drive models with the all-new ULEV-II certified 2.7-liter 1AR-FE I4 paired to a six-speed automatic.
2009: Chinese Highlander Unveiled in 2009
In 2009, the Chinese version of the Highlander (ASU40/GSU45) was unveiled at the 13th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition.
2010: SE Model Replaced Sport Model
In early 2010, the SE model replaced the Sport model. Also new is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.
2011: Base Plus Trim
After the 2011 refresh, Base models were also known as Base Plus.
2011: Highlander Hybrid Upgrades for 2011
In 2011, the Highlander Hybrid received styling changes and was upgraded with the 3.5-liter 2GR-FXE V6 engine, increasing net power. The vehicle's fuel efficiency was also improved, achieving 8 L/100 km for city, highway, and combined cycles.
2011: Highlander Front End Revised
In 2011, the Highlander's front end was significantly revised, featuring new headlights, a new black with chrome accent rocker panel, and new front grille. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine may be had on the SE trim level, previously only available on the base model.
2011: Corolla Built in Blue Springs
In the 2011 model year, the Corolla was built in Blue Springs, Mississippi instead of the Highlander.
2012: Fuel Economy and Emissions in 2012
In 2012, the Highlander's fuel economy was noted to be better than the Lexus RX 400h but lagged behind the Ford Escape Hybrid and the latest RX 450h. However, it produced significantly fewer emissions than the non-hybrid version with a CARB SULEV rating.
March 2013: Third Generation Highlander Unveiled in March 2013
On March 27, 2013, Toyota unveiled the third generation XU50 series Highlander at the New York International Auto Show.
2013: Highlander Sold in Russia
From 2010 to 2013, the facelifted Highlander model was also sold in Russia.
2013: Toyota Motor Sales USA took over Kluger production for Australia and New Zealand in 2013
In 2013, Toyota Motor Sales USA took on the role of producing the Kluger for Australia and New Zealand after Japanese production of the second-generation model concluded.
2014: Dealership Arrival of Third Generation Highlander in 2014
In early 2014, the third generation XU50 series Highlander reached dealerships.
March 2016: Refreshed Highlander Model Displayed in March 2016
In March 2016, a refreshed 2017 model year Highlander appeared at the New York International Auto Show.
2017: Sales Starting in 2017
Sales of the refreshed Highlander model started in the fourth quarter of 2016 for the 2017 model year. The V6 powered models received an eight-speed automatic transmission replacing the six-speed version, and the revised V6 engine added Toyota's D4-S direct injection fuel system.
April 2019: Fourth-Generation Highlander Unveiled in April 2019
On April 17, 2019, the fourth-generation Highlander was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. It is built on the GA-K platform.
December 2019: Fourth-Generation Highlander Gasoline Model On Sale in December 2019
In the United States, the fourth-generation Highlander gasoline model went on sale on December 18, 2019, for the 2020 model year.
2019: Succession of the XU70 model in 2019
In 2019, the XU70 model replaced the Kluger.
July 2020: Highlander Launched Across Gulf Cooperation Council Countries around July 2020
The Highlander was launched across Gulf Cooperation Council countries around June and July 2020, where it is offered only as a Hybrid.
2020: Highlander Awarded "Top Safety Pick" in 2020
In 2020, the Highlander model year was awarded "Top Safety Pick" by IIHS, with Good ratings in crash test evaluations. The base trim LED reflector headlights prevented it from receiving the higher-tier award due to poor visibility and excessive glare.
2020: 2020 Model Year Features
The 2020 Highlander model year included increased cargo room behind the third row, and support was added for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
January 2021: Highlander Hybrid Sales in Europe Started in January 2021
In Europe, the Highlander Hybrid went on sale in January 2021, solely with a hybrid powertrain.
March 2021: Highlander Available in the UK Market Since March 2021
The Highlander for the UK market has been available since March 2021.
June 2021: Kluger Available in the Australian Market Since June 2021
The Kluger for the Australian market became available in June 2021.
December 2021: Design Inspiration from bZ Large SUV concept unveiled in December 2021
In December 2021, the bZ Large SUV concept was unveiled, influencing the design of the fifth-generation Highlander.
2021: Production in the US continued for exports to both countries until 2021
Production in the US continued for exports to both countries until 2021.
February 2023: Grand Highlander Introduction in February 2023
On February 8, 2023, the Grand Highlander was introduced for the North American market as a larger alternative to the regular Highlander. It shares the nameplate and the GA-K platform but features different exterior and interior styling.
July 2023: Highlander Hybrid Launched in South Korea in July 2023
The Highlander Hybrid was launched in South Korea on July 25, 2023.
February 2026: Fifth-Generation Highlander Unveiled in February 2026
On February 10, 2026, the fifth-generation Highlander was unveiled as an exclusively battery electric vehicle, with a design similar to the bZ Large SUV concept.
2026: Highlander Becomes Battery Electric Model
In 2026, it was announced the Highlander would become a battery electric model.
2026: Highlander to be Reintroduced in Japan in 2026
In 2026, the Highlander will be reintroduced in Japan, imported from the US and sold as Highlander rather than Kluger.
2027: Sales Expansion in Early 2027
In 2027, sales are set to expand with more models becoming available in early 2027.
2027: Battery Electric Model Release
The Battery Electric Highlander model was released in 2027.
Mentioned in this timeline
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