The 2020 Toyota Highlander is one of the most searched used three-row SUVs on the market right now, and for good reason. If you want a family hauler that holds its value, seats seven or eight, and carries the Toyota reliability badge, this Highlander year is worth a serious look. This review is for buyers who want the honest picture before they hand over a check.
Reliability & Common Issues
The good news first: RepairPal rates the 2020 Toyota Highlander 4 out of 5 for reliability, placing it sixth out of 32 midsize SUVs in its class. That’s a strong showing, and in day-to-day ownership most drivers report a solid, dependable vehicle. But no used car review would be complete without the real-world problem areas, and this Highlander has a few worth knowing.
The biggest complaint that shows up repeatedly from owners involves paint quality. Fading, peeling, and chalking have come up across multiple trims, and it’s not just cosmetic wear from age. Some owners noticed it within the first couple of years. When you’re inspecting a used example, look hard at the roof, hood, and rear liftgate in direct sunlight.
The roof rack trim strips are another nuisance item. On vehicles without a factory roof rack, Toyota installs plastic filler strips in the roof gutters. These have a habit of working loose or blowing off at highway speeds. It’s a minor fix, but it points to some cost-cutting in the exterior details.
For the Highlander hybrid specifically, there’s a known issue with remote start units causing battery drain. Consumer Reports data from owners of the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE points to defective remote start units that can kill the 12-volt battery, sometimes leaving drivers stranded. Toyota did not issue a recall for this, so many vehicles in the used market may still carry this problem. If you’re looking at a Highlander hybrid, ask the seller directly about battery issues and get it tested before you buy.
The 2020 Highlander also carries four documented NHTSA recalls. You can check all of them through the NHTSA recalls database before you buy. Pull the VIN and confirm every recall has been addressed. A seller who can’t show recall completion paperwork is a yellow flag.
On the interior side, loose trim and moldings show up in owner reviews more than you’d expect from a vehicle at this price point. The front seat height adjustment has also drawn complaints, particularly from shorter drivers who feel the range isn’t enough to get comfortable behind the wheel. It won’t affect everyone, but if you’re under five foot five, sit in it and adjust everything before you commit.
One practical note for buyers interested in the Platinum or Limited trim: the power liftgate design on these trims makes it impossible to add an aftermarket tow hitch. If towing matters to you, confirm the trim level and factory hitch configuration before you get attached to a specific vehicle.
What to Inspect Before You Buy
This isn’t a vehicle you want to buy sight unseen. Even with Toyota’s reputation for building a reliable car, the 2020 Highlander has enough known quirks that a thorough once-over is essential.
Start with the paint. Get the car outside in daylight and look at the hood, roof panel, and tailgate at an angle. Chalky or hazy sections can be early signs of paint delamination, which is expensive to fix properly and tanks resale value.
Check the third row seat latches and fold mechanism. On heavily used family vehicles, the third row takes abuse. Make sure it folds, locks, and releases smoothly. While you’re back there, check for wear on the third row seat cushions and inspect the cargo area floor for water intrusion around the rear hatch seal.
On the engine side, the 3.5-liter V6 that powers the non-hybrid Highlander is a proven unit, but check for oil consumption. Pull the dipstick and look at the condition of the oil. Ask if the seller has records of regular oil changes. This engine rewards proper maintenance and can show its age quickly without it.
- Test the remote start if equipped, and watch for any warning lights after startup
- Inspect the roof gutter strips for missing or loose sections
- Check all three rows of seats for wear, staining, and function
- Test the infotainment system, backup camera, and all driver assist features
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic who isn’t connected to the seller. A lift inspection on this vehicle specifically can reveal underbody rust on examples from snowy climates, and a good tech will catch any engine or transmission irregularities you’d miss on a test drive. Don’t skip this step, even on a low-mileage, single-owner car.
Before the inspection, run a free VIN lookup to check for accidents, flood damage, or title problems. A clean-looking car can still carry a salvage title or an undisclosed collision history.
Fair Price Range
The 2020 Toyota Highlander holds its value well, which is great if you already own one and less great if you’re shopping. Because Toyota’s reputation is strong and three-row SUV demand stays high, you’ll typically pay more for a used Highlander than a comparable Kia Telluride from the same year, even though the Telluride often wins in head-to-head reviews for interior quality and feature count.
For a base LE trim with moderate mileage, you’ll often see asking prices that reflect the vehicle’s strong retained value. Moving up to the XLE or Highlander XLE trim adds features like a power liftgate, heated front seats, and a larger touchscreen, so prices climb noticeably. The Limited and Platinum trims carry a significant premium in the used market.
Mileage matters a lot here. A 2020 Highlander with under 50,000 miles on a well-maintained engine is a different value proposition than one sitting at 90,000. Use a car loan calculator to figure out what monthly payment actually works for your budget before you fall in love with a specific trim level. It’s easy to stretch toward an XLE when a well-kept LE would serve you just as well.
The Highlander hybrid commands a higher used price than the standard V6. If fuel economy is your main reason to consider it, run the numbers on the price premium versus your actual annual fuel savings before deciding it’s worth it.
Is the 2020 Toyota Highlander Worth Buying Used?
For most family buyers, yes. The 2020 Toyota Highlander is a capable, generally reliable three-row SUV that aged well. The interior is comfortable for long trips, the third row is usable for kids (though tight for adults on extended drives), and the driver assist technology on XLE and higher trims is genuinely useful in daily traffic.
The 2020 Highlander makes the most sense for buyers who prioritize long-term dependability over flashiness, want a vehicle that’ll hold resale value, and plan to keep it for several years. If you’re putting serious highway miles on a car every year, the hybrid version is worth considering despite its higher entry price and the battery quirks mentioned above.
Where the Highlander falls short compared to rivals like the Telluride is interior material quality and perceived value per dollar. The Telluride often delivers a more premium feel for less money in the used market. If you care more about how the interior looks and feels than badge reliability, the Telluride is a legitimate alternative worth cross-shopping.
Buyers who need to tow regularly or want a true off-road capable SUV should look elsewhere. This is a road-focused family hauler, not a work vehicle.
Before you commit to any Toyota Highlander, pull its history. Run a free VIN check on this Highlander to see reported accidents, title issues, and ownership history.
Once you’ve confirmed the vehicle history is clean and a mechanic has signed off on the condition, the 2020 Toyota Highlander is a used car that earns its asking price for the right buyer. Do your homework upfront, and this SUV can be a solid choice for years to come. You can also browse used cars by make to compare available Highlander listings across trims and mileage ranges before you decide.
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