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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $40,037–$52,195 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Toyota Highlander SL is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.4/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.5/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $40,037–$52,195, 17 MPG, seating 7, the Toyota Highlander SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.2/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2017 Toyota Highlander SL will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Toyota Highlander SL ranks #737 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 70% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $40,037 starting price is about 11% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Highlander SL model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.1/10 | $52,200 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.1/10 | $50,680 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $49,159 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.9/10 | $47,638 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.9/10 | $46,118 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.9/10 | $44,597 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.8/10 | $43,078 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.8/10 | $41,557 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $40,037 | |
| 2016 | 7.7/10 | $38,516 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.6/10 | $36,996 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.