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Used 2018 Toyota Highlander SUV Trims Comparison

Trim level differences

The 2018 Highlander is a large three-row crossover SUV with seating for eight, but optional second-row captain's chairs reduce capacity to seven. Toyota makes six Highlander models: the LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited and Limited Platinum. The LE isn't a stripped-down model, but its standard four-cylinder engine is a bummer. The LE Plus has key upgrades such as the V6 engine (optional on the LE), a power liftgate and tri-zone automatic climate control, while the XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum essentially slather on luxury features. The SE stands out with unique styling and sportier driving dynamics.

The standard powertrain on the base LE is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The 3.5-liter V6 (295 hp, 263 lb-ft) that's standard on all other trims is optional on the LE and comes paired with an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive can be added to the V6 as an option.

Other standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, rear privacy glass, the Toyota Safety Sense bundle (automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane departure intervention, and Toyota's Pre-Collision System, which bundles forward collision detection with automatic emergency braking, a rearview camera, rear air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 60/40-split second-row seat (slides, reclines, folds), a 60/40-split third-row seat (reclines, folds), five USB ports, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player.

The LE Plus adds a height-adjustable power liftgate, a flip-up rear window, foglights, tri-zone automatic climate control, upgraded upholstery and trim, a power-adjustable driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a higher-resolution 8-inch touchscreen, satellite and HD radio, and a variety of smartphone-connection apps.

On top of the LE Plus' equipment, the Highlander XLE adds a sunroof, roof rails, keyless entry and ignition, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems, an upgraded instrument panel, leather upholstery (first and second rows), simulated leather third-row upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, second-row window sunshades, a 110-volt power outlet, Driver Easy Speak (carries the driver's voice through the rear speakers to distant passengers) and a navigation system.

The SE is equipped similarly to the XLE but has LED running lights, sport-themed styling elements and suspension tuning, 19-inch wheels and sporty interior trim.

The Limited starts with the XLE's content and adds LED running lights, different 19-inch wheels, rear parking sensors, a rear cargo cover, heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, heated second-row captain's chairs (optional on the XLE) and a 12-speaker JBL audio system.

The Limited Platinum gains a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, a 360-degree parking camera, front parking sensors, Safety Connect emergency communications, a heated steering wheel and heated second-row seats.

The Limited and Limited Platinum can be optionally equipped with the second-row bench. A rear-seat entertainment system is optional on all but the LE and LE Plus.

Which Highlander trim does Edmunds recommend?

For the typical Highlander shopper, we recommend the XLE trim level. Priced right in the middle of the Highlander range, the XLE comes standard with the V6 and adds several decent extras to the Highlander's already rich list of standard features, including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and keyless ignition and entry. There's also optional all-wheel drive if you need the extra control. You could certainly get by with the LE Plus or pay more to enjoy the more extravagant Limited, but the XLE is the sweet spot in our opinion.

Compare trims side-by-side

Comparing average pricing near
Virginia Beach, VA
Vehicle
Highlander LE
Highlander LE Plus
Highlander XLE
Highlander SE
Highlander Limited
Highlander Limited Platinum
Vehicle
LE
2.7L 4cyl 6A
See all Highlander LE for sale
LE Plus
3.5L 6cyl 8A
See all Highlander LE Plus for sale
SE
3.5L 6cyl 8A
See all Highlander SE for sale
3 for sale near you
Limited
3.5L 6cyl 8A
See all Highlander Limited for sale
1 for sale near you
Limited Platinum
3.5L 6cyl 8A
See all Highlander Limited Platinum for sale
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Section Title

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Features

Bluetooth
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Navigation
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Satellite radio
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Keyless Ignition
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Adaptive cruise control
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Parking assistance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Upholstery
cloth
leatherette/cloth
leather
leather
leather
leather
Heated seats
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
Cooled/Ventilated seats
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
Folding rear seats
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
standard
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
standard
standard
standard
standard
Section Title

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
front wheel drive
Engine power
185 hp @ 5,800 rpm
295 hp @ 6,600 rpm
295 hp @ 6,600 rpm
295 hp @ 6,600 rpm
295 hp @ 6,600 rpm
295 hp @ 6,600 rpm
Engine torque
184 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm
263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
263 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Engine displacement
2.7 l
3.5 l
3.5 l
3.5 l
3.5 l
3.5 l
Engine configuration
inline 4
v6
v6
v6
v6
v6
Transmission
6-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
8-speed shiftable automatic
Tire size
245/60R18
245/60R18
245/60R18
245/55R19
245/55R19
245/55R19
Wheel size
18 X 7.5-in
18 X 7.5-in
18 X 7.5-in
19 X 7.5-in
19 X 7.5-in
19 X 7.5-in
Wheel type
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
painted alloy wheels
alloy wheels
alloy wheels
Run flat tires
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Section Title

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

Fuel economy

City/Hwy/Combined MPG
20 / 24 / 22 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
21 / 27 / 23 MPG
City/Hwy/Combined MPGe
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Fuel Capacity
19.2 gal.
19.2 gal.
19.2 gal.
19.2 gal.
19.2 gal.
19.2 gal.
Driving Range (city/hwy)
384 / 461 miles
403 / 518 miles
403 / 518 miles
403 / 518 miles
403 / 518 miles
403 / 518 miles
Fuel Type
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
regular unleaded
Section Title

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions

Turning circle
38.7 ft.
38.7 ft.
38.7 ft.
38.7 ft.
38.7 ft.
38.7 ft.
Curb weight
4,134 lb.
4,244 lb.
4,310 lb.
4,310 lb.
4,354 lb.
4,354 lb.
Ground Clearance
8.0 in.
8.0 in.
8.0 in.
8.0 in.
8.0 in.
8.0 in.
Overall Width with Mirrors
Overall Width without Mirrors
75.8 in.
75.8 in.
75.8 in.
75.8 in.
75.8 in.
75.8 in.
Height
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
68.1 in.
Length
192.5 in.
192.5 in.
192.5 in.
192.5 in.
192.5 in.
192.5 in.
Wheelbase
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
109.8 in.
Seating Capacity
Cargo Space
13.8 cu. ft.
13.8 cu. ft.
13.8 cu. ft.
13.8 cu. ft.
13.8 cu. ft.
13.8 cu. ft.
Front Head Room
40.7 in.
40.7 in.
39.5 in.
39.5 in.
39.5 in.
39.8 in.
Front Leg Room
44.2 in.
44.2 in.
44.2 in.
44.2 in.
44.2 in.
44.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room
59.3 in.
59.3 in.
59.3 in.
59.3 in.
59.3 in.
59.3 in.
Rear Head Room
39.9 in.
39.9 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
39.6 in.
37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room
38.4 in.
38.4 in.
38.4 in.
38.4 in.
38.4 in.
38.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room
59.6 in.
59.6 in.
59.0 in.
59.6 in.
59.0 in.
59.0 in.
Section Title

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

5-Year Ownership Costs

True Cost to Own®
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Average Cost Per Mile
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Depreciation
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Financing
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Taxes & Fees
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Fuel
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
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Not Available
Insurance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Maintenance
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
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Not Available
Repairs
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Section Title

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Colors

Interior
Ash, cloth
Black, cloth
Black, leatherette/cloth
Ash, leatherette/cloth
Almond, leatherette/cloth
Ash, leather
Black, leather
Almond, leather
Black, leather
Ash, leather
Black, leather
Almond, leather
Saddle Tan, leather
Ash, leather
Black, leather
Almond, leather
Saddle Tan, leather
Exterior
Toasted Walnut Pearl
Predawn Gray Mica
Blizzard Pearl
Ooh La La Rouge Mica
Midnight Black Metallic
Shoreline Blue Pearl
Alumina Jade Metallic
Celestial Silver Metallic
Toasted Walnut Pearl
Predawn Gray Mica
Blizzard Pearl
Ooh La La Rouge Mica
Midnight Black Metallic
Shoreline Blue Pearl
Alumina Jade Metallic
Celestial Silver Metallic
Toasted Walnut Pearl
Predawn Gray Mica
Blizzard Pearl
Ooh La La Rouge Mica
Midnight Black Metallic
Shoreline Blue Pearl
Alumina Jade Metallic
Celestial Silver Metallic
Predawn Gray Mica
Blizzard Pearl
Midnight Black Metallic
Celestial Silver Metallic
Salsa Red Pearl
Toasted Walnut Pearl
Predawn Gray Mica
Blizzard Pearl
Ooh La La Rouge Mica
Midnight Black Metallic
Shoreline Blue Pearl
Alumina Jade Metallic
Celestial Silver Metallic
Toasted Walnut Pearl
Predawn Gray Mica
Blizzard Pearl
Ooh La La Rouge Mica
Midnight Black Metallic
Shoreline Blue Pearl
Alumina Jade Metallic
Celestial Silver Metallic