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.
VW built a comfortable, spacious electric crossover that drives well and charges efficiently, then saddled early versions with infotainment so buggy it sometimes won't let you shift into gear until you restart the car. The 2021-2023 models are a study in compromise: owners who live in CarPlay and charge at home report happy ownership, while those relying on native software or public charging infrastructure face constant frustration. The 2024 refresh brought real fixes, faster processors, a more powerful motor, but here's the twist: lease returns have flooded the used market so hard that solid 2022 models with under 30k miles sell for $15k-18k, half their original sticker. If you can charge at home, tolerate quirky touch controls, and treat the native system as decorative, that depreciation makes this a genuine value play. If you need tech that just works or depend on road-tripping, spend more on the Hyundai Ioniq 5.