I Bought a 2016 Toyota Highlander with 129K, and the Prior Owner Must Have Been a Toyota Dealer’s Nightmare, Or Maybe I’m Dreaming?

Is this the perfect used car, or just a dream? 

Robert found a 2016 Toyota Highlander with a flawless 129k-mile service history. Now he's ready to make some upgrades. What would you do? 

Robert Doren II on the Toyota Highlander Owners Club Facebook page says, 

"I just bought a 2016 Toyota Highlander LE Plus with 129k miles. The prior owner must have been a Toyota dealer's nightmare, or maybe I'm dreaming, because they performed every recommended maintenance at all the appropriate intervals." 

"Reading through posts, it appears I made a good choice. I'm a car nut, and every other car group I'm in, it's all negative as expected, but here it seems quite different, given the quality of these vehicles." 

"I'm looking for recommendations on the improvements you all have made. Already putting in a CarPlay unit. What other minor updates does everyone recommend?"

From Maintenance to Modernization

Robert mastered the first critical step: finding a 2016 Toyota Highlander with a maintenance record to hit 250k miles and beyond. Since it has dodged the bullet of dealing with common issues that the 2016 Toyota Highlander LE Plus, with 129k miles, often faces due to neglect, he can now transition from pure preservation to meaningful enhancement.

The installation of a new head unit offering Apple CarPlay is a great addition—that's the single most transformative upgrade for an older vehicle. It's what transforms a 2016 model into a modern driver. When searching for that key component, many are looking for the best plug-and-play Apple CarPlay unit for the 2016 Highlander, and it's great that he has already handled this. Now let's look at three other critical, affordable upgrades.

1. Seeing the Road Ahead

The single biggest tell that a vehicle is from the mid-2010s is its exterior and interior lighting. Toyota vehicles from this era often relied on yellowish halogen bulbs. This is an opportunity to make a significant, affordable impact.

• Exterior: Replace the low-beam and fog light bulbs with high-quality, fanless LED bulbs. This instantly improves nighttime visibility (a massive safety upgrade) and gives the Highlander a crisp, modern aesthetic.
• Interior: Swap out every dome light, map light, and trunk light with the easiest interior and exterior LED conversion kit. This changes the cabin atmosphere completely—it's easier to find things, and the soft, cool white light feels premium. The entire process takes less than an hour with basic trim tools.

2. Protecting the Investment

Robert bought a vehicle known for longevity, so let's protect its weak spots: the paint and the carpet.

• Paint: Given the mileage, you'll have rock chips, but you can lock in the current finish and prevent further degradation. Forget expensive professional ceramic coatings for now. I recommend a consumer-grade ceramic sealant. Products like Adam's Graphene Ceramic Spray Coating or Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax are easy to apply and provide deep gloss, hydrophobic protection, and UV resistance for up to a year. This is the simplest way to protect the high-mileage Toyota Highlander's paint and maintain its future resale value.
• Flooring: All-weather floor mats are not just for snow. They are arguably the most essential accessories for the Toyota Highlander LE Plus. They trap dirt, spills, and debris, preserving the original carpet underneath. A set of laser-measured mats will fit perfectly and keep your interior looking 100% fresh for the next 100,000 miles.

3. Driving Enhancements

Since he identifies himself as a "car nut," we need to give you a touch of enthusiast feel. The Highlander is reliable but known for a soft, comfortable ride, which can sometimes translate to excessive body roll.

• Suspension Bushings: After 129,000 miles, the suspension bushings are likely due for replacement. Upgrading the front and rear sway bar bushings with high-quality polyurethane options (like those from Energy Suspension) is a minor part swap that delivers a massive return. They are stiffer than rubber, dramatically reducing body lean in corners. This is the affordable answer to the question of how to improve handling on the Toyota Highlander, without modifying the springs or shocks. The ride quality remains excellent, but the feedback and confidence in turns are noticeably sharper.
• Tires: If you are due for a tire replacement, choose a performance-oriented All-Season tire with a stiffer sidewall (like the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 or Continental CrossContact LX25) over a purely comfort-focused touring tire. It's a subtle but constant performance benefit.

In The End

The key to these minor updates is their synergy. You've modernized the tech, improved the lighting, protected the interior/exterior, and slightly sharpened the driving dynamics. That's a total win.

Questions For Highlander Owners

"What are the best 'minor' and practical updates you've done to your 3rd-Gen Highlander (2014-2019) besides an upgraded stereo/CarPlay unit? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Robert Doren II