The 2022 Highlander: Still Worth the Premium, or Just the Name?

Buy It, But Not at Any Price

The 2022 Toyota Highlander is a genuinely good used SUV. It is not a bargain. At four years old, it still commands near-new prices, and dealers know it. Kelley Blue Book puts a typical used 2022 Highlander LE in the $32,000–$36,000 range, while XLE and Platinum trims push $38,000–$44,000 depending on mileage and region. Edmunds data runs a little lower, which means there are deals to be found if you are patient. The smart buy is an XLE with under 55,000 miles at or below $37,000. Above that price, you are paying for the badge, not the car.

The case for buying one is simple: Toyota's reliability record on this generation is solid, the 3.5-liter V6 is a proven engine, and resale value will protect you if you need to sell in three years. The case against is also simple: you are spending near-new money on a four-year-old vehicle with 30,000 to 70,000 miles on it, and fuel costs will be higher than this class average every single year you own it. Know what you are getting into before you sign.

Which Trim and Which Year to Buy

The 2022 Highlander sits in the fourth generation, which ran from 2020 through 2023. Within that window, the 2022 is a fine choice. The 2020 had more early production issues typical of a new generation launch. The 2022 and 2023 models benefited from those shakeout fixes.

For trims, the XLE is the target. It adds a power liftgate, a larger infotainment screen, a power-adjustable driver seat, and dual-zone climate control. The jump from XLE to Highlander trim adds ventilated seats and a premium audio system, which you probably do not need. The Platinum and Platinum HYBRID at the top of the stack are luxuries wrapped in an SUV body, and they cost accordingly.

Skip any 2022 Highlander with the eight-speed automatic if it shows signs of rough shifting at low speeds. This showed up in owner reports and was flagged in at least one NHTSA complaint cluster. Check the NHTSA recall database for this model before you buy. As of this writing, there are a handful of recalls on the 2022, including one related to the fuel system and one involving the front passenger occupant detection system for airbags. Confirm with the dealer or via the VIN lookup tool on NHTSA's site that any open recalls have been completed.

The Hybrid version of the Highlander is worth separate consideration. It costs more upfront but pays back in fuel savings. If you drive more than 15,000 miles a year, the math starts to work in your favor after a couple of years.

What Actually Breaks, and When

RepairPal rates the Toyota Highlander 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability, which places it above average in the midsize SUV class. Annual repair costs average around $489 per year across all model years, which is low for this segment.

That said, "reliable" does not mean "nothing goes wrong." Here is what actually shows up:

Oil consumption on the V6. This is the most common complaint on the 2020–2022 generation. Some owners report using a quart of oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. That is within Toyota's published acceptable range, which is the frustrating part. Check the dipstick on any vehicle you are considering. Ask the seller how often they add oil between changes.

Transmission shudder at low speeds. Usually shows up between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. It feels like a brief vibration when accelerating from a stop or at slow speeds. A software update fixed it on many vehicles, but not all. Have a technician confirm the latest software version is installed.

Excessive brake dust and rotor wear. Not catastrophic, but noticeable. Rotors on the 2022 can warp earlier than expected, often around 40,000 to 50,000 miles, particularly if the vehicle was driven in hilly terrain or towed regularly. Budget for a brake job earlier than you might expect.

Infotainment glitches. The 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims freezes or reboots on its own. Annoying, rarely a dealbreaker, often resolved with a system update. Confirm the software is current.

Nothing on this list is catastrophic. But you should know the real failure points, not just hear that it is a Toyota and assume nothing will go wrong.

What You Will Actually Spend Each Year

These numbers reflect typical ownership costs including routine maintenance, tires, and average repair frequency. They are not best-case scenarios.

Under 50,000 miles: Oil changes, tire rotations, cabin and engine air filters, and possibly a brake fluid flush. Budget $600 to $900 per year. You are in the low-cost window, but do not skip the transmission fluid service Toyota recommends around 45,000 miles.

50,000 to 100,000 miles: This is where costs climb. Add in potential brake rotor replacement ($350 to $500 parts and labor), a possible wheel bearing ($300 to $500 each), and spark plugs around 60,000 miles ($150 to $250). Annual budget in this range: $1,000 to $1,600. Some years will be lower. One bad year can push $2,000.

Over 100,000 miles: The V6 timing system is robust, but at this mileage you are watching the water pump, coolant hoses, and the condition of the CVT cooling lines on Hybrid models. Non-Hybrid models need a serpentine belt check. Budget $1,500 to $2,500 per year and keep a $2,000 emergency fund for surprises. High-mileage examples under $28,000 can be good deals, but only with a clean pre-purchase inspection.

Six Things to Check Before You Buy This Specific Vehicle

Pull the dipstick and smell the oil. On the spot. Dark or low oil before a change interval is a red flag for the V6 oil consumption issue. Not a reason to walk away immediately, but a reason to ask harder questions.
Check transmission behavior at slow speeds. Drive the vehicle below 20 mph and feel for any shudder or vibration during light acceleration. This is where the transmission shudder issue shows up, not at highway speeds.
Inspect the third-row seat latches. The third row on the 2022 folds flat, and the latches have a reputation for being fussy. Make sure both sides lock and unlock cleanly.
Test the power liftgate through its full cycle. Slow or stuttering movement can indicate a failing strut or a motor on its way out. Replacement costs $300 to $500 depending on the shop.
Look under the vehicle for rust on the heat shields and brake lines. On vehicles in northern states or Canada with road salt exposure, these corrode faster than on southern vehicles. Flaking heat shields are cheap to fix. Corroded brake lines are not.
Verify all open recalls are closed. Use the VIN on the NHTSA recall tool before you agree to anything. A dealer is required by law to fix open safety recalls at no charge, but you need to know they exist before you take delivery.

The Fuel Cost Reality

The EPA rates the 2022 Highlander with the standard V6 at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel drive drops that combined figure to 22 mpg.

At 12,000 miles per year and $3.50 per gallon, the math looks like this:

FWD (23 mpg combined): roughly $1,826 per year in fuel
AWD (22 mpg combined): roughly $1,909 per year in fuel

For comparison, a Ford Explorer V6 AWD comes in at about the same. A Kia Telluride AWD does slightly better. The Highlander Hybrid jumps to a 36 mpg combined rating, which cuts your annual fuel bill to around $1,167. Over five years, that is more than $3,700 in savings. If the Hybrid version is priced within $3,000 to $4,000 of the non-Hybrid at similar mileage, it is worth serious consideration.

Two Used Alternatives Worth Your Time

2022 Kia Telluride: Often priced $2,000 to $5,000 below a comparable Highlander, with a higher owner satisfaction rating on most consumer surveys and a roomier interior. It is a legitimate alternative, not a consolation prize.

2021 Honda Pilot: Available at lower prices than both, with a proven V6 and a better third-row seat, though it is being replaced by a redesigned 2023 model, which means the 2021 is a solid deal if you can find one with clean history.

The Bottom Line

The 2022 Toyota Highlander is a smart buy at or below $37,000 for an XLE with fewer than 60,000 miles and a clean inspection. Above $40,000, you are overpaying for a midsize SUV that will cost you $1,800 or more a year just in fuel. Over 80,000 miles, expect your annual repair budget to climb noticeably, and price that into your offer. Below 40,000 miles in the $33,000 to $36,000 range, this is one of the better bets in the used midsize SUV market right now. Above that price or above that mileage, run the numbers again before you commit.