Infiniti's three-row family hauler splits cleanly at 2022: before that year, you're buying a Pathfinder in a tuxedo with a CVT that grenades itself before 100k miles, and after it you're getting a genuinely improved interior wrapped around a wheezy turbocharged four-cylinder that takes eight full seconds to drag 4,700 pounds to highway speed. The current version looks sharp and undercuts German rivals by $15k, but the ride is stiff and loud for something wearing a luxury badge, and you're still paying a $15k premium over the mechanically identical Pathfinder for nicer leather and a different grille. One owner made it to 400k miles on a 2015, but that's the exception that proves the rule, most pre-2022 owners are nursing failed transmissions, dead alternators, and $5k timing chain bills while watching their resale value crater. Buy the new one if you want Highlander space without the Toyota tax and can live with the gutless engine, or skip the brand entirely if you're shopping used.
The Toyota Highlander shows a sharp generational divide: pre-2020 models earn strong loyalty with owners reporting 200k-300k mile longevity, while 2020-2023 models face systematic 8-speed transmission complaints and class action lawsuits. The 2024-2026 hybrids have a fire recall related to inverter assembly. Many buyers question the Toyota premium, noting Kia and Hyundai offer better value with more features. The announced 2027 EV-only transition with limited range concerns families who use Highlanders for long trips. Current owners praise comfort and practicality, but value perception is a major pain point.