Why families keep coming back to the Toyota Highlander

Why families keep coming back to the Toyota Highlander Credit: Toyota By  Adam Gray Published May 31, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT Adam Gray, a seasoned automotive journalist and content creator from the UK, joined the How-To Geek editorial team in January 2025. As an automotive journalist for How-To Geek, Adam breaks first-to-report news on the latest in automotive tech, as well as penning automotive features and reviews. Adam is also a contributor to one of How-To Geek's sister sites, TopSpeed, where he uses his media accrediation with manufacturers' press offices to gain access to the latest vehicles for subsequent review. Prior to joining How-To Geek, Adam worked on a freelance basis, contributing automotive content to a variety of business and lifestyle publications. His experience also includes time spent serving as senior editorial & auction content manager for SBX Cars , automotive content writer for Supercar Blondie , motoring editor for Portfolio North , and motoring editor - North East for Reach plc . When he's not putting the latest vehicle through its paces or testing out its tech, Adam can be found at his local ice rink playing ice hockey or at the Riverside Stadium supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC. Adam also enjoys spending quality time with his three children: Ellie, Oscar, and Heidi. Sign in to your How-To Geek account Add Us On follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap SUV buyers in the U.S. are paying a lot more attention to what it actually costs to own a vehicle these days. It’s not just the sticker price anymore—it’s everything that comes after it. Multiple reports show that while new car prices have started to level off, the cost of keeping one on the road keeps climbing, now averaging around $11,500 a year. Higher insurance rates and more complex, tech-heavy repairs are doing mos