2018 Toyota Highlander SUV

The Toyota Highlander is a solid mid-pack choice because of its upscale interior, good V6 engine power, and comfortable ride.

The 2018 Toyota Highlander is available in 5 trim levels: LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE and Limited. The limited variant is the most expensive and feature filled amongst the trims. For those who strive for a little extra, a ‘Limited Platinum’ level is available over the Limited variant. The Limited Platinum adds panoramic moon roof, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera.

MSRP (AWD)	N/A	$ 34,540	$ 36,920	$ 40,380	$ 41,550
Hybrid Engine	Gas/Electric V-6 3.5 L/211	N/A	Gas/Electric V-6 3.5 L/211	N/A	Gas/Electric V-6 3.5 L/211
Hybrid MSRP	$ 36,670	N/A	$ 41,730	N/A	$ 45,160
Features	18-inch alloy wheels heated mirrors rear privacy glass automatic high beams adaptive cruise control lane departure intervention forward collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking rearview camera rear air conditioning height adjustable driver seat 5 USB ports 6.1-inch touchscreen Bluetooth Six-speaker sound system with a CD player	All Features of LE : Height-adjustable power liftgate flip-up rear window tri-zone automatic climate control power-adjustable driver seat leather-wrapped steering wheel higher-resolution 8-inch touchscreen satellite and HD radio	All features of LE Plus : Sunroof roof rails keyless entry and ignition blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems leather upholstery (first and second rows) simulated leather third-row upholstery heated front seats power-adjustable passenger seat auto-dimming rearview mirror 110-volt power outlet Driver Easy Speak navigation system	All features of XLE : LED running lights sport-themed styling elements and suspension tuning 19-inch wheels sporty interior trim	All features of XLE :   LED running lights different 19-inch wheels rear parking sensors rear cargo cover heated and ventilated front seats driver-seat memory settings heated second-row captain’s chairs 12-speaker JBL audio system

 

Our Recommendation

For those looking for the best features in a reasonable price, the XLE trim is the trim to go for. It adds more comfort features like navigation, leather, and heated front seats and 8-inch touch screen, tri-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, HD Radio, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems, and keyless ignition and entry.

If fuel economy and a greener vehicle are your thing, then Highlander’s hybrid versions are your best bet. The hybrid version uses a 3.5 Liter Gas/Electric V6 engine and is available in the LE, XLE, Limited, and Limited Platinum trims. The fuel economy goes as high as 30 / 28 in city / highway, and the V6 engine generates a powerful 306hp at 5800 rpm.

Engine and Transmission

Out of the 6 trim levels available for the 2018 Toyota Highlander, the base LE version is available in a 2.7 Liter Inline 4 engine, which can be upgraded to a 3.5 Liter V6 engine. The V6 is standard in all the other trims. The base engine generates 185 BHP and 184 pound-feet of torque. The bigger V6 engine is able to generate 295 BHP and 263 pound-feet of torque.

	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	4Runner	Ford Explorer
Engine	Regular Unleaded V-6 3.5 L/211	Regular Unleaded V-6 3.5 L/212	Regular Unleaded V-6 4.0 L/241	Regular Unleaded V-6 3.5 L/213
MSRP	$ 30,202	$ 32,545	$ 34,410	$ 31,990
BHP	295 @ 6600	280 @ 6000	270 @ 5600	290 @ 6500
Torque	263 @ 4700	262 @ 4700	278 @ 4400	255 @ 4000

As one would expect, the base inline engine struggles to keep up when the vehicle is weighed down by passengers and/or cargo. The V6 also picks up slowly in the start, but flies smoothly thereon after.

The 2018 Highlander is on the cheaper side when it comes to mid-size SUVs. Its powerful V6 is able to generate more power than most of the competitors. Ford Explorer plays a close second to Highlander, with less power from the engine, but a little more cost than Highlander.

“The base engine’s 185 horses haven’t kept up with the Highlander’s growing dimensions. Trust us, if you carry more than two people, need power for passing and merging or pull a small trailer, the V6 is the engine you’ll want (and need)” – KBB

Acceleration

Models	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Explorer
0 – 60 MPH	7.1 seconds	6.5 seconds	8.1 seconds	7 seconds
Quarter Mile	15.2 seconds	15.2 seconds	16.1 seconds	15.6 seconds

The Highlander had set one of the most impressive quarter mile numbers in 2014, and the 2018 Toyota Highlander aims to do even better. The V6 engine of 2018’s Highlander takes a second to rev up after flooring the pedal, but then it picks up fast and reaches the quarter-mile mark in the fastest time in its class.

Honda Pilot does well to go from 0 – 60 MPH, beating Highlander by half a second. But Highlander catches up with Pilot on the quarter mile and both finish at 15.2 seconds.

Handling and Ride

Highlander’s steering is good when you remember the fact that it is a 4,370 pound SUV. The overall driving is not exceptional. There is little feel and some noticeable body lean while taking corners but still provides reassuring feedback.

The total driving experience is comfortable. Highlander glides smoothly over most surfaces, and the cabin is quiet even at high speeds. And with a turning radius of 5.9 m combined with the various driver guidance tools, the Highlander makes parking a piece of cake.

Braking

Toyota Highlander comes equipped with a 12.9 inch rotor in the front and 12.2 inch rotor in the rear. The average distance to come at standstill is acceptable.

	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Explorer
70 – 0 MPH	181 Feet	182 Feet	183 Feet	177 Feet
Brake Rotor – Front (in)	12.9	12.6	13.3	12.8
Brake Rotor – Rear (in)	12.2	13	12.3	12.8

The brake pedal of the new Highlander could use some tuning, as it feels loose and vague at times. But the pedal’s feel has nothing to do with the brake’s effectiveness. Highlander displays impressive numbers for its class in the brake tests. It has one of the least panics – stop distance and a good fade resistance.

Towing Capacity

SUVs are capable of towing a good amount of load, but Highlander is not very capable of towing even a decent amount of it. The Highlander can tow 1500lbs of load and it is not as good as its competitors can offer.

Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Explorer
1,500 – 5,000 pounds	3,500 – 5,000 pounds	5,000 pounds	2,000 – 5,000 pounds

The base I-4 engine of 2018 Toyota Highlander gives 20/24 MPG in city/highway. The highway mileage gets better with the V6 engine, increasing to 27 MPG. Although these numbers are higher than some key competitors, they are about average for this class.

	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Explorer
MPG (City)	20	19	17	17
MPG (Highway)	27	27	21	24
MPG (Combined)	23.15	22.6	18.8	20.15

For better fuel economy, Highlander has hybrid versions with AWD. The hybrids can earn almost 29/27 MPG in city/highway. The hybrids are so economic that they make up for their price difference in about 7 years.

 

Seating and Comfort

The interior of Toyota Highlander is one of its strong points. They are mostly unchanged from the last year’s model, with the addition of more USB ports, better seat upholstery, and a few other upgrades. The dashboard is wide and accommodating for your wallets, smartphones, keys, etc. The center console opens up to provide a huge bin to keep anything too big for the shelf.

 

Model	Toyota Highlander	Ford Exlporer	Honda Pilot	Toyota 4Runner
Passenger capacity	8	7	8	6
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.7/59.3/44.2	41.4/61.5/42.9	40.4/61.5/41.3	40.3/NA/41.0
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.9/59.6/38.4	40.6/61.0/39.5	39.4/61.0/36.8	NA/58.7/39.7
Third (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	35.9/55.0/27.7	37.8/50.8/32.0	37.8/57.6/33.20	NA

The seats are roomy and comfortable. The many options for adjustments and the heated leather front seats provide for a comfortable travel. The front and the second-row seats are roomy, while the third-row seats are best suited for children. The second-row seats feel a bit firmer, but slide and recline to provide tailor-made experience for every individual.

For the little travelers, there are two complete sets of LATCH anchors in the second row. The middle seat of both rear rows offers an upper anchor. The latch system is quite easy to use than most of the competitors.

The Highlander’s cabin is one of the quietest in its class. Even at high speeds and blowing winds, there is barely a sound inside.

“Heated leather front seats are as comfy as furniture and offer tons of adjustment, including extendable thigh support. The second-row seats are firmer, but they slide and recline in a wide range. The third row is merely acceptable; certain competitors do better” – Edmunds

Interior Features

Highlander is filled to the brim with a standard as well as optional features. Some of the standard features include Bluetooth, five USB ports, voice recognition, a rearview camera, a 6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

The optional features include tri-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, HD Radio, smartphone-linked navigation, an 8-inch touch screen, a moonroof, proximity key entry, push-button start, a 120-volt outlet, Driver Easy Speak, integrated navigation, the Entune app suite, a 12-speaker JBL audio system, a panoramic moonroof, front parking sensors, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a surround-view camera.

Infotainment

The 2018 Toyota Highlander comes standard with a 6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system. This can be upgraded to an 8-inch screen. Although the system is up-to-date in almost all aspects, the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remain to be a deal breaker for many people.

The learning curve for Highlander’s infotainment system may prove to be a bit steep for some, and the knobs and buttons also feel a little out of reach while driving. Another problem is the absence of a ‘Nav’ button for direct opening of the navigation app.

The entertainment isn’t limited to the front seats. The rear seats get a Blu-Ray Disc entertainment system with a 9-inch display screen which comes with RCA jacks, remote, and two wireless headphones.

 

Cargo

The numbers for Highlander’s cargo capacity align perfectly with the expected numbers for this class. There is an option of a power liftgate and a window on the cargo hatch that can open separately from the rest of the tailgate.

Model	Toyota Highlander	Ford Exlporer	Honda Pilot	Toyota 4Runner
Cargo Volume to seats 1 (ft.3)	83.7	80.7	116.3	79.0
Cargo Volume to seats 2 (ft.3)	42.3	43.8	70.3	41.7
Cargo Volume to seats 3 (ft.3)	13.8	21.0	24.4	12.8

The Ford Explorer does better in the cargo aspect. It provides more space behind the third row. Otherwise, the 2018 Toyota Highlander provides decent cargo space.

 

Dimension & Weight

One of the distinctive features of Highlander is the dynamic front grille and expressive headlights. This gives Highlander’s front fascia a solid and bold impression. The grille is tailored for each trim, which provides for a custom look to match your style.

	Toyota Highlander	Honda Pilot	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Explorer
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4370	4054	4675	4443
Length (in)	192.5	194.5	190.2	198.3
Width (in)	75.8	78.6	75.8	78.9
Height (in)	68.1	69.8	71.5	70
Wheelbase (in)	109.8	111	109.8	112.8
Ground Clearance (in)	8	7.3	9	7.8
Track Width – F/R (in)	64.4 / 64.2	66.3 / 66.3	63.2 / 63.2	67 / 67

 

The SE grade of Highlander has a distinctive gloss-black grille and headlights with black housings. And if that wasn’t enough, SE is equipped with 19 inch multi spoke alloy wheels to emphasize on the sporty look.

The lights are another feature that adds to Highlander’s expressive looks. They now feature integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The SE trim comes with dark black headlights, and the Limited Platinum trim has a chrome headlight housing.

Another exciting feature are the alloys in SE and Limited Platinum. SE sports 19 inch multi spoke wheels with a machined finish, while Limited Platinum adds 5 spoke Dark Chromtec alloy wheels.

“Highlander’s grille is huge, following the big-grille trend that’s been stylish for the past few years. Yet it emphasizes the already blunt nose of this midsize SUV, with different models getting different trims, seeming to shrink the headlights in the process. The rest of the Highlander isn’t as dramatic, although the sporty Highlander SE features a blackout trim package that tones down the grille and ultimately looks pretty good” – KBB

Although some rivals surpass Highlander’s score in safety, Toyota remains as an industry leader when it comes to providing driver’s assistance techs. Highlander gets many such features, like the forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection, rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

Some optional features include front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a surround-view monitor. Other safety features include.

• Passenger Air Bag    
• Front Head Air Bag  
• Driver Side Airbag 
• Rear Head Air Bag
• Front Side Air Bag      
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes    
• Brake Assist
• Traction Control  
• Daytime Running Lights    
• Child Safety Locks  
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Electronic Stability Control    
• Lane Departure Warning    
• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors

NHTSA Ratings
Overall Frontal Crash Rating	4 Star
Frontal Crash Rating Driver Side	4 Star
Frontal Crash Rating Passenger Side	5 Star
Overall Side Crash Rating	5 Star
Combined Side Barrier and Pole Rating Front Seat	5 Star
Combined Side Barrier and Pole Rating Front Seat Rear Seat	5 Star
Side Barrier	5 Star
Side barrier Driver	5 Star
Side barrier Rear Passenger	5 Star
Overall Side Pole Star Rating	5 Star
Rollover Rating	4 Star

IIHS Ratings

Crashworthiness
Small overlap front driver side	Good
Small overlap front passenger side	Acceptable
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

 

Crash Avoidance & Mitigation
Front Crash Prevention	Superior
Headlight	Acceptable
LATCH	Good

Toyota Highlander vs Toyota 4Runner

Another strong performer in Toyota’s arsenal is the 4Runner. It is similar to Highlander in size but weighs almost 300 pounds more. The V6 is the standard engine for 4Runner.

Toyota 4Runner is predominantly an off-roader. It provides exceptional handling and control on uneven terrains, and the Highlander cannot beat it once the road ends. But in the city and highway, Highlander is clearly better. Highlander provides a better fuel economy along with a better-styled cabin. It also has Driver Easy Speak that enables the driver to better communicate with the passengers, which the 4Runner lacks.

Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot

Honda’s Pilot is one of Highlander’s toughest competitors. It surpasses Highlander in many aspects, with a spacious third-row seat, better safety scores, and a powerful V6 standard engine. The pilot also has a better handling and on-road control.

The only downside to all this is that these features come at a cost. Honda Pilot is reasonably more expensive than Highlander, and you would have to further spend some dough to add features like a touch-screen system and some additional safety features, which are standard for Highlander.

Toyota Highlander vs Ford Explorer

Ford’s Explorer is one of those competitors that are easily thwarted by Highlander. Although Explorer is a decent SUV with good performance, its shines less brightly when Highlander’s aura engulfs it. Explorer feels unimpressive inside, and the material feels cheap as compared to Highlander’s premium finishes.

Explorer has a wider range of engines to choose from, 3 to be precise. These engines range from being fuel efficient to powerful, but still, don’t match Highlander’s performance. Explorer is also large, which makes maneuvering a bit tougher.

The 2018 Toyota Highlander is a well-rounded SUV that does well in almost all aspects. It has a comfortable, high-end interior with many features as standard, which is available in other SUVs as optional. It is capable and powerful, as long as you don’t opt for the base inline 4 engine, which frankly, we don’t see the point too.

If you have certain criteria which act as a deal breaker for you, then you should probably take a look at other manufacturers, too. For example, if you are looking for a huge towing capacity, competitors like the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee do pretty well as compared to the standard 5,000 pound limit of Highlander. If your main aim is to take your car off-road, then Toyota’s 4Runner proves much better on the uneven terrain. If cargo space is your priority, then Honda’s Pilot might just be the car for you.

Although there are competitors that surpass Highlander in one feature or two, the Highlander is a great all-rounder that provides comfort and luxury with power and utility. It displays a good balance absorbent ride, responsive handling, and generous interior space.