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2018 Toyota Highlander

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Expert Rating
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Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 LE I4 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $31,230
2018 LE V6 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $33,280
2018 LE V6 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $34,740
2018 LE Plus V6 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $35,660
2018 LE Plus V6 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $37,120
2018 XLE V6 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $39,120
2018 SE V6 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,290
2018 XLE V6 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $40,580
2018 SE V6 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $41,750
2018 Limited V6 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $42,280
2018 Limited V6 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $43,740
2018 Limited Platinum V6 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $45,400
2018 Limited Platinum V6 4dr All-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $46,860

Overview

The 2018 Toyota Highlander, with three rows and room for as many as eight, operates in the crowded mid-size crossover SUV segment. Although it offers a four-cylinder engine, we recommend the V6 that delivers more power and better fuel economy.

What's New for 2018

The 2018 Highlander carries forward with no changes from 2017.

Toyota Highlander

Choosing Your Toyota Highlander

Toyota offers the 2018 Highlander in LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited, and Limited Platinum trims. All have standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. Toyota markets a Highlander Hybrid model separately.

Seating is for seven or eight. Choose the latter only if you need the extra seat placement, otherwise, the seven-passenger Highlander offers the best combination of comfort and space.

Like nearly every competing model, standard cargo space for the Highlander is small, measuring 13.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat. Fold down the third row and storage space increases to 42.3 cubic feet, topping out at 83.7 cubic feet behind the first-row seat.

Two engine choices are available. The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine generates 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and has a 1,500-pound towing capacity. Toyota pairs this engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. This front-wheel drive only model makes an EPA-estimated 20 miles per gallon city and 24 mpg highway.

Most customers will opt for the 3.5-liter V6 engine and for good reason: it generates 295 hp and 263 lb.-ft. of torque and comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 has a 5,000-pound tow rating, and the EPA rates this model at 20/26 mpg city/highway.

All models come with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), offering a suite of safety features, including a forward collision warning system with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control with full stop.

Toyota Highlander

LE

Priced from $32,025 (prices include the $995 destination fee), the Highlander LE comes with halogen headlamps, daytime running lights, LED taillights, power side mirrors with turn signal indicators, full power accessories, a tilt and telescopic steering column, cruise control, cloth seats, five USB ports, reading lights, and cargo tie-down hooks. The LE’s audio features include: a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, six speakers, a CD player, an auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth wireless technology, Siri Eyes Free, and a rearview camera. Shoppers may upgrade to the V6 engine, adding $2,050 to their cost. All-wheel drive, only available with the V6, adds another $1,460.

Toyota Highlander

LE Plus

Toyota prices the LE Plus from $36,455, and it comes standard with the V6. This trim adds integrated fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, upgraded fabric seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, navigation, an eight-inch color display, satellite radio, a power liftgate, and flip-up rear hatch.

Toyota Highlander

XLE

Starting at $39,915, the XLE adds heated side mirrors, a power tilt and slide moonroof with a sunshade, and roof rails with a chrome-like finish. The XLE also brings in a multi-information digital display cluster, leather-trimmed first- and second-row seats, heated front seats, power front seats, and second-row captain’s chairs with a side table. You’ll also find push button start, a power liftgate, a 120-volt outlet, and second-row retractable window sunshades. Buyers can choose to have a second-row bench seat for no cost, while a rear-seat Blu-ray entertainment package costs $1,810.

Toyota Highlander

SE

With a starting price of $41,085, the SE adds several sporting embellishments, including 19-inch alloy wheels with a black finish and a sport-tuned suspension. This model also brings LED daytime running lights, black leather-trimmed front- and second-row seats, and blue LED lighting. There are no packages available on the Highlander SE.

Toyota Highlander

Limited

Pricing for the Highlander Limited begins at $43,075. The Limited model has special garnishing, including 19-inch chrome-like wheels. Other features include an integrated backup camera with dynamic gridlines, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, perforated leather seats, and a rear cargo tonneau cover. The Blu-ray entertainment package returns for an extra $1,810.

Toyota Highlander

Limited Platinum

Costing $47,655, the all-wheel drive only Limited Platinum caps the Highlander line. The Limited Platinum adds a panoramic moonroof with a power sunshade, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row captain's chairs, and a surround view camera system offering a 360-degree view.

CarsDirect Tip

The Highlander XLE is the most popular model for shoppers. It offers all the amenities you want and costs about $40,000, an ideal price point for a well-equipped three-row SUV.

Get your price on a Toyota Highlander »

author image
Contributing Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Editor

Three-row midsize crossover SUVs are today’s favored mode of transportation for families and their friends, with the 2018 Toyota Highlander operating in the thick of the segment. This seven- or eight-passenger SUV delivers the expected high level of quality and refinement and supplies buyers with a wide variety of options to choose from.

Best Value

The 2018 Toyota Highlander tackles the segment with six trims: LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited and Limited Platinum. A Highlander Hybrid comes in three trims, but Toyota markets it separately.

A 2.7-liter inline-four is the standard engine and comes with the base LE trim and front-wheel drive only. We found the base engine anemic, especially when operating under heavy loads. Although our best value pick isn’t the LE, if you choose the base model upgrading to the V6 is a wise decision.

Of the six trims, the XLE ($40,380, including a $995 destination charge) is our top pick as it adds remote keyless entry with illuminated entry, leather seats, navigation, a 120-volt power outlet, retractable second-row sunshades and makes eight-passenger seating possible with its optional bench seat. Grab the rear-seat entertainment system to keep the little ones in the second and third rows occupied. Unless you're in the snowy north, you won't need the Highlander's all-wheel drive, but at $1,065 on the XLE, it's worth the small expense.

  • Model: 2018 Toyota Highlander XLE AWD
  • Engine: 3.5-liter V6
  • Output: 295 hp/263 lb-ft
  • Transmission:Eight-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
  • MPG: 21 city/27 highway
  • Options: : All-wheel drive ($1,065), Rear-seat Blu-Ray entertainment system with two wireless headphones ($1,810)
  • Base Price: $39,915 (including a $995 destination charge)
  • Best Value Price:$43,185

Performance

Toyota Highlander

The Highlander’s 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers generous off-the-mark acceleration and ample passing power. It is ideally suited for this SUV, even under a full load. Add to this its 5,000-pound towing capacity and the Highlander is one versatile SUV. The eight-speed transmission shifts cleanly and smoothly, enabling the Highlander to move at a confident clip.

Steering is light to the touch and there's some significant body lean when entering corners – then again, this is a family crossover, and not exactly from a brand known for its handling prowess. Instead, the Highlander delivers a comfortable ride over all but the toughest road surfaces. Most models ride on 18-inch wheels, which is for the best from a comfort standpoint.

Style

Other than its stacked trapezoidal grille, the Highlander’s design is relatively subdued. Cut lines and sculpting deliver character to an otherwise staid profile. Wraparound tail lamps and a liftgate spoiler embellish the rear.

Inside, you’ll find one of the most comfortable interiors of any Toyota model. The front seats are comfortable and power operated, although we find it strange that the passenger seat doesn’t offer a height adjustment feature. The second-row 60/40 bench seat holds three with ease and folds flat when you don’t need it. The third row also seats three, although the side-by-side room is tight.

Standard cargo space is small, measuring just 13.8 cubic feet. Fold the rear seat and you’ll have 42.3 cubic feet of storage room at the ready or 83.7 cubic feet behind the first-row seat.

The Best and Worst Things

The Highlander’s cabin is one of the most comfortable in the segment. Add in supple ride quality and most families should find this one pleasing SUV.

Toyota trails everyone in smartphone connectivity, offering neither Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay. Toyota is showing signs of loosening its resistance to third-party technology by adding CarPlay on some models (the redesigned Avalon sedan is the first), but we doubt the Highlander will get it until its next redesign.

Right For...

Toyota Highlander

Today’s families. Sure, Toyota offers the Sienna minivan, but the Highlander acquits itself quite well in the people-moving department.

Wrong For...

The family still drawn to all things minivan and the attendant storage space. That’s where the Sienna comes in, easily besting the Highlander for the storage/hauling of people and things.

The Bottom Line

If you can look past the Highlander’s polarizing front fascia and actually get in and drive one, you’ll see there is a lot to like about this SUV. Well-equipped models in this segment typically go for about $40,000 and that’s where our best value model resides.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.7L I-4 / 185 HP / 184 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
20 / 24 / 22 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
8
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.7L I-4 / 185 HP / 184 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
20 / 24 / 22 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Double Wishbone
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
19.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$73
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
83.7 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
145 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
192.5 "
Exterior Width
75.8 "
Exterior Height
68.1 "
Front Headroom
40.7 "
Rear Headroom
39.9 "
Front Legroom
44.2 "
Rear Legroom
38.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
59.3 "
Rear Shoulder Room
59.6 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,165 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
19.4 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Machined W/painted Accents Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Stripe / Metallic Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Silver
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
8
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Toyota Safety Sense C Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Lane Departure Alert (lda) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Vehicle Sway Warning Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Auto High-beam
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2018 Toyota Highlander for Sale

7 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Toyota
LE
Color: Gray
Price

$23,798

Mileage

62,727 mi

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Carson Honda (11 mi)

Phone: (800) 717-6845
Toyota
XLE
Color: Gray
Price

$23,995

Mileage

103,754 mi

Map location icon

Mountain Motors, Inc (32 mi)

Phone: (661) 310-2331
Toyota
LE Plus
Color: Black
Price

$23,995

Mileage

86,501 mi

Map location icon

Mountain Motors, Inc (32 mi)

Phone: (661) 310-2331
Toyota
XLE
Color: White
Price

$23,999

Mileage

106,180 mi

Map location icon

Acceler8 Performance (15 mi)

Phone: (562) 554-4350
See All Used Car Listings

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