Ford's three-row workhorse splits into two distinct eras, and knowing which you're buying matters more than the badge. The 2013-2019 generation hides a ticking time bomb: the water pump lives behind the timing cover, turning what should be a $400 maintenance item into a $5,000 engine-out ordeal that replaces timing chains whether they're worn or not. The 2020 redesign fixed that engineering blunder but stumbled out of the gate, 2021 models left the factory missing sunroof drain tubes, flooding cabins and triggering $26k repair bills, while infotainment screens freeze mid-drive across the lineup. Police fleets rack up 300k miles through daily beatings, proving the bones can take punishment, but the third row stays cramped and cost-cut bushings needed a recall. If you need the space and can stomach Ford's quality control lottery, buy 2022 or newer. Otherwise, the Highlander costs the same and won't make you wonder what breaks next.
Quick acceleration, strong range, and the Supercharger network still make this a capable electric crossover, and the 2026 Juniper refresh genuinely fixes the harsh ride and cabin noise that plagued earlier versions. But the ownership experience is the catch: 2023 models leaked water through the trunk seals badly enough for Consumer Reports to flag it, delivery quality is a coin toss (paint damage, misaligned panels, even a reported roof detachment), and service is email-only with centers that can go quiet for weeks. If you can tolerate the support gamble, the fundamentals work, but the Ioniq 5, EV6, and Mach-E deliver similar capability with a company that answers the phone.