Toyota Highlander (2000-2023) firing order — diagram & guide
Since the year 2000 when it entered Toyota’s SUV lineup, the Highlander profiled itself as a great value model in the mid-size SUV class. It even features versions with three seating rows which make it much more convenient when compared to similar vehicles on the US market.
Still, engine reliability is crucial here and this guide on Toyota Highlander (2000-2023) firing order will lead the way when it comes to engine checkups and minor repairs. Our team will tell you what you need to know about each engine used for the Highlander ever since 2000, so let’s get into it.
| HIGHLANDER YEARS | ENGINE | FIRING ORDER |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen (2000-2006) | 2.4L | 1-3-4-2 |
| 3.0L V6 | 1-2-3-4-5-6 | |
| 3.3L V6 | 1-2-3-4-5-6 | |
| 2nd Gen (2007-2012) | 2.7L | 1-3-4-2 |
| 3.3L Hybrid | 1-2-3-4-5-6 | |
| 3.5L V6 | 1-2-3-4-5-6 | |
| 3rd Gen (2013-2018) | 2.0L Turbo | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.7L | 1-3-4-2 | |
| 3.5L V6 | 1-2-3-4-5-6 | |
| 4th Gen (2019-present) | 2.0L Turbo | 1-3-4-2 |
| 2.4L Turbo | 1-3-4-2 | |
| 3.5L V6 | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
First-generation Toyota Highlander (2000-2006) firing order
The first generation of the Highlander featured four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines and these were also common for other mid-class SUVs that Toyota offered back in the day. Out of all these, the 3.0-liter V6 proved to be the most reliable engine, but we’ll take a look at the firing orders for each of these.
Toyota Highlander 2.4L firing order
The 2.4-liter engine was a four-cylinder option used only for the first-generation model of the Highlander. The Toyota Highlander 2.4L firing order is 1-3-4-2 and the cylinders are laid out from left to right in a straight sequence, starting with the first one on the left-most position.
Toyota Highlander 3.0L firing order
Along with the base engine option as a four-cylinder, Toyota also offered two V6 engines for this model. The Toyota Highlander 3.0L firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6 and this one was the most commonly used engine in the first-gen model.
It proved to be the most reliable option and it’s pretty simple to maintain when you know how the cylinders are arranged. The first cylinder of this V6 is on the passenger’s side as the front-most cylinder, and cylinders 2 and 3 follow up toward the rear. Driver’s side cylinders are 4, 5, and 6 looking at the engine front to rear.
Toyota Highlander 3.3L firing order
For the 3.3-liter Highlander, the firing order is still 1-2-3-4-5-6 so it’s pretty similar to the 3.0L engine. However, it’s not the same even though the same base engine block was used to produce these two engines. The difference is mainly in the transverse placement of the 3.3-liter powertrain, so the cylinders are laid out differently.
You can apply the firing order for this one by going from the first cylinder which is located at the left-most position in the upper cylinder bank. Cylinders 3 and 5 follow up toward the right, and there’s a lower bank right below this one with cylinders 2, 4, and 6 from left to right.
Second-generation Toyota Highlander (2007-2012) firing order
For the second-gen model, Toyota Highlander went through significant changes in terms of powertrains offered. Instead of the old four-cylinder, there was a new 2.7-liter I4 engine, while the 3.3-liter one was turned into a hybrid.
On top of that, there was also a 3.5-liter V6 as an added option, so we’ll take a look at all the differences in firing orders.
Toyota Highlander 2.7L firing order
The differences between the old 2.4-liter and the new 2.7-liter four-cylinder engines were slight, so the firing order was still 1-3-4-2. On top of that, the cylinder arrangement is laid out from 1 to 4 from left to right, so the same maintenance practices are required for this one.
Toyota Highlander 3.3L hybrid firing order
The hybrid version of the 3.3-liter V6 engine is also pretty much the same as the regular 3.3L engine. So, the firing order is still 1-2-3-4-5-6 with a transverse cylinder placement, and cylinders 1, 3, and 5 are in the upper cylinder bank, while cylinders 2, 4, and 6 are in the lower bank.
The only difference is that there’s an electric component with his engine and that one requires special maintenance care.
Toyota Highlander 3.5L firing order
As the only newly-added V6 engine option, the second-gen Highlander featured the 3.5-liter V6. This one features the same 1-2-3-4-5-6 firing order which is the same as for the previously-mentioned V6s. The cylinder arrangement is the same as for the 3.3-liter engine.
So, it’s a transverse powertrain with cylinders 1, 3, and 5 in the upper bank and cylinders 2, 4, and 6 in the lower bank.
Third-generation Toyota Highlander (2013-2018) firing order
The transition from the second-gen model to the third-gen model went pretty smooth so two out of three engine options were kept for this one. The 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter engines were also used in the third generation.
However, there was one major change in the form of a new 2.0-liter turbo engine, so we’ll discuss that one.
Toyota Highlander 2.0L turbo firing order
The all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine was introduced in a third-gen Highlander instead of the old 3.3-liter V6 and the power output and towing capacity did not suffer much. Plus, this engine is way simpler for maintenance and features better fuel economy.
So, the Toyota Highlander 2.0L turbo firing order is 1-3-4-2 and the cylinders are ordered 1 to 4 looking at the engine from left to right.
Fourth-generation Toyota Highlander (2019-present) firing order
When it comes to the fourth-generation Highlander, things have remained the same with the 2.0-liter turbo engine and the 3.5-liter V6. There was the addition of a new 2.4-liter turbo engine and this one was based on a previous 2.4-liter naturally aspirated powertrain, so let’s see what the main differences are.
Toyota Highlander 2.4L turbo firing order
The 2.4-liter turbo engine is based on the smaller 2.0-liter turbo and it features a firing order 1-3-4-2. The cylinder arrangement of this one is also the same as for the lower-displacement engine, so the first cylinder is the left-most one, and it’s followed by cylinders 2, 3, and 4 to the right.
Our take
Now that you know a bit more about the firing order for each Toyota Highlander engine used in the previous four generations, we are confident you’ll be able to keep up with the maintenance yourself.
Every engine needs proper care according to the driver’s manual and it helps to know the ins and outs of cylinder firing positions, so make sure to closely follow this guide for the key details.
