Toyota Highlander — TIMING CHAIN OR BELT?

MODEL LIST - (UPDATED 2023)

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The Toyota Highlander is a crossover SUV (E-segment in Europe) by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota. Its production started in 2000, when it was presented at the New York Auto Show. It is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Toyota 4Runner. At the height of its popularity, the Highlander became Toyota’s best selling vehicle. In 2006, it was surpassed by its smaller counterpart, the Toyota RAV4, which became the smaller and more affordable alternative to the Highlander.

In countries such as Japan, Australia and China, the Highlander is sold under the name of Toyota Kluger. This is due to Hyundai’s previous trademark of the line name Highlander in those markets.

There are four generations of the Toyota Highlander to date. It was manufactured on the Toyota K Platform, along with the Camry, from its first to its third generation. On its fourth generation, it was produced on the TNGA GA-K Platform. The Lexus RX, the Lexus ES and the Lexus NX are also manufactured on the same platform as the Toyota Highlander.

Toyota Highlander. Timing Belt or Timing Chain?

Down below you will see a list with all Toyota Highlander models which have been produced so far. They are classified by model identifier, year and type of bodywork. Above each list, we show you a series of pictures so that you can have a visual reference for each model. In some cases, both the original and its updated design are displayed to help you identify them with ease.

In this guide you will find all Toyota Highlander models.

■ Timing Belt / Cam Belt (Correa / Faja de Distribución)
■ Timing Chain (Cadena de Distribución / Cadena de Tiempo)
■ Gear Driven (Distribución por Engranajes)
■ 100% Electric, No Timing (Sin Distribución)
■ Unknown / Not Updated (Información desconocida)

If a car model is specified in blue, it means its motor engine has a timing chain; that is, it has no timing belt. The rest of the vehicles marked in grey have a timing belt/cam belt.

Toyota Highlander I – First Generation (XU20) (2000)

SUV

Diesel Engines

There are no diesel engines in the Toyota Highlander Gen 1.

Petrol Engines

  • 2AZ-FE 2.4 (ACU20_) 160 CV (2000 – 2007)
  • 2AZ-FE 2.4 (ACU20_) 158 CV (2000 – 2007)
  • 2AZ-FE 2.4 (ACU20_) 156 CV (2000 – 2007)
  • 2AZ-FE 2.4 4WD (ACU25_) 160 CV (2000 – 2007)
  • 2AZ-FE 2.4 4WD (ACU25_) 158 CV (2000 – 2007)
  • 2AZ-FE 2.4 4WD (ACU25_) 156 CV (2000 – 2003)
  • 1MZ-FE 3.0 (MCU20_) 223 CV (2000 – 2003)
  • 1MZ-FE 3.0 4WD (MCU25_) 223 CV (2000 – 2003)
  • 1MZ-FE 3.0 4WD (MCU25_) 204 CV (2003 – 2007)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 (MCU23_) 212 CV (2003 – 2007)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 (MCU23_) 233 CV (2003 – 2007)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 (MCU23_) 218 CV (2003 – 2007)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 4WD (MCU28_) 212 CV (2003 – 2007)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 4WD (MCU28_) 233 CV (2003 – 2007)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 4WD (MCU28_) 218 CV (2003 – 2006)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 Hybrid (MHU23_) 272 CV (2005 – 2007)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 Hybrid 4WD (MHU28_) 272 CV (2005 – 2007)

Toyota Highlander II – Second Generation (XU40) (2007)

SUV

Diesel Engines

There are no diesel engines in the Toyota Highlander Gen 2.

Petrol Engines

  • 1AR-FE 2.7 (ASU40_) 190 CV (2007)
  • 1AR-FE 2.7 (ASU40_) 189 CV (2008 – 2013)
  • 1AR-FE 2.7 4WD (ASU40_) 190 CV (2007)
  • 1AR-FE 2.7 4WD (ASU40_) 189 CV (2007)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 (GSU40_) 273 CV (2007 – 2014)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 4WD (GSU45_) 273 CV (2007 – 2014)
  • 3MZ-FE 3.3 Hybrid AWD (MHU48_) 273 CV (2007 – 2010)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 Hybrid AWD (GVU48_) 284 CV (2010 – 2013)

Toyota Highlander III – Third Generation (XU50) (2013)

SUV

Diesel Engines

There are no diesel engines in theToyota Highlander Gen 3.

Petrol Engines

  • 1AR-FE 2.7 (ASU50) 188 CV (2016)
  • 1AR-FE 2.7 (ASU50_) 140 CV (2013)
  • 1AR-FE 2.7 AWD (ASU50) 188 CV (2016)
  • 1AR-FE 2.7 AWD (ASU50_) 140 CV (2013)
  • 2GR-FKS 3.5 (GSU50) 300 CV (2016)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 (GSU50R) 273 CV (2013)
  • 2GR-FKS 3.5 (GSU50R) 296 CV (2016)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 (GSU50_) 204 CV (2013)
  • 2GR-FKS 3.5 AWD (GSU50) 300 CV (2016)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 AWD (GSU55R) 273 CV (2014)
  • 2GR-FKS 3.5 AWD (GSU55R) 296 CV (2016)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 AWD (GSU55_) 204 CV (2013)
  • 2GR-FE 3.5 AWD (GSU55_) 249 CV (2014)
  • 2GR-FXE 3.5 Hybrid (GVU58_) 284 CV (2014)
  • 2GR-FXS 3.5 Hybrid AWD (GVU58) 310 CV (2016)
  • 2GR-FXS 3.5 Hybrid AWD (GVU58) 299 CV (2016)
  • 2GR-FXE 3.5 Hybrid AWD (GVU58_) 284 CV (2013)

Toyota Highlander IV – Fourth Generation (XU70) (2020)

SUV

Diesel Engines

There are no diesel engines in the Toyota Highlander Gen 4.

Petrol Engines

  • 2GR-FKS 3.5 VVTi (GSU70) 299 CV (2019)
  • 2GR-FKS 3.5 VVTi AWD (GSU75) 249 CV (2019)
  • 2GR-FKS 3.5 VVTi AWD (GSU75) 299 CV (2019)
  • A25A-FXS 2.5 Hybrid (AXUH70) 186 CV (2019)
  • A25A-FXS 2.5 Hybrid (AXUH70) 246 CV (2019)
  • A25A-FXS 2.5 Hybrid AWD (AXUH78) 243 CV (2019)
  • A25A-FXS 2.5 Hybrid AWD (AXUH78) 246 CV (2019)

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