2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

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Rating7.3

Ranked #1 in 

SUV
Write Review
$36,870 - $48,480
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

The powerful and efficient hybrid powertrain

Controls placed on the right side of the touchscreen are hard to reach

No notable changes for 2018

Smooth and comfy ride quality

No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is offered

Spacious and cozy first and second-row seats

Cramped third-row seats

Specs & Features

$36,870

price

306 hp @ 5800 rpm

horsepower

215 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable Transmission

transmission

3.5L 6cyl AWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV fares well in the midsize SUV segment. Adding $3,590 to the price of the standard gasoline variant, the Highlander hybrid carries a base price of $36,870 and is offered in 4 trims, reaching a price of $48,480 for its top trim. The engine on service here is a familiar 3.5L V6 supported by a 288-volt electric system. Mated to a CVT automatic transmission, it makes 306 horsepower and 215 lb-ft of torque. The combined fuel economy improves from 23 MPG on the standard gasoline variant to 29 MPG, making the increase in sticker price worth it. The performance of the Highlander hybrid remains at par with the gasoline variant, with the car accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Toyota offers the same 9 colors for the Highlander hybrid. The Highlander hybrid competes against the Acura MDX Hybrid and the Lexus RX 450hL Hybrid.

Buying Advice

The 2018 Toyota Highlander hybrid is an impressive value-for-money option in the segment. There are four trims available and we recommend getting the mid-level XLE that offers a superior feature-set over the base trim. 

Trims

    LE
    $36,870 onwards
    • 60-40 split-bench 3rd row seats
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Automatic Front air conditioning
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Manual front air conditioning
    XLE
    $41,930 onwards
    • 18-inch painted aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Navigation system
    Limited
    $45,360 onwards
    • Parking assist
    Limited Platinum
    $48,480 onwards
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers

Compare to similar cars

Price

$36,870- $48,480

Engine

hybrid

Rating

7.33

Horsepower

306 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque

215 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

Capacity

8

Read Review

$39,995- $55,715

Gasoline

7.76

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

7

Read Review

$33,995- $44,960

Gasoline

6.48

197 hp @ 6300 rpm

192 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$23,580- $37,230

Gasoline

6.79

170 hp @ 5600 rpm

203 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$46,340- $65,130

Gasoline

6.97

355 hp @ 5600 rpm

383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

9

Read Review

$29,930- $52,600

Gasoline

7.67

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

8

Read Review

$29,995- $62,995

Gasoline

7.05

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,315- $40,770

Gasoline

7.45

245 hp @ 5500 rpm

275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$48,190- $76,175

Gasoline

7.6

375 hp @ 5000 rpm

470 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

8

Read Review

$32,140- $53,940

Gasoline

6.88

290 hp @ 6500 rpm

255 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7 sec15.4 sec112 mph
    5.6 sec14.1 sec115 mph
    6.2 sec14.8 sec-
    6.3 sec14.9 sec130 mph
    6.4 sec--
    6.5 sec14.9 sec116 mph

    2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      29 mpg28 mpg29 mpg17.2 gal.576/537.6 mi.
      26 mpg32 mpg28 mpg14.9 gal.387.4/476.8 mi.
      25 mpg32 mpg28 mpg18.5 gal.462.5/592 mi.
      26 mpg30 mpg28 mpg14.9 gal.387.4/447 mi.
      23 mpg30 mpg26 mpg15.9 gal.365.7/477 mi.
      25 mpg26 mpg25 mpg11.3 gal.-

      2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        192.5 in.75.8 in.68.1 in.8 in.109.8 in.
        210 in.79.9 in.76.6 in.9.8 in.122.5 in.
        208.9 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.1 in.121.1 in.
        205.1 in.79.9 in.77 in.9.9 in.122 in.
        204.3 in.78.8 in.69.9 in.7.7 in.120.9 in.
        204.3 in.78.6 in.70.7 in.8 in.120.9 in.

        2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          13.8 cu.ft.144.9 cu.ft.83.7 cu.ft.
          16.5 cu.ft.152.9 cu.ft.83.9 cu.ft.
          18.9 cu.ft.-120.1 cu.ft.
          24.6 cu.ft.105.4 cu.ft.100.7 cu.ft.Jeep USA
          20.6 cu.ft.153.7 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.
          47.2 cu.ft.-89.7 cu.ft.

          2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            83.7 cu.ft.13.8 cu.ft.83.7 cu.ft.-
            89.7 cu.ft.26.9 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.74 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.21 cu.ft.81.7 cu.ft.73 ft.
            73.4 cu.ft.38.4 cu.ft.73.4 cu.ft.-
            63.3 cu.ft.29.6 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.-
            46.2 cu.ft.23 cu.ft.98.2 cu.ft.-

            2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              3500 lbs.1340 lbs.4398 lbs.
              9300 lbs.1750 lbs.5443 lbs.
              8600 lbs.1720 lbs.5355 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1724 lbs.5576 lbs.
              7400 lbs.1405 lbs.5695 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1330 lbs.4680 lbs.

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              #10

              2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV User Reviews

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              Carissa Williams

              2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

              LE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 10, 2024

              My Highlander

              Pros - ["The space it has", "The features"]

              Cons - ["It's black leather seats get hot in the sun", "There is nothing else I don't like"]

              This is a great car, it is perfect for my family. It has plenty of room for us to travel and not be cramped. It beeps when you go over the line so if you're tired or not paying attention it warns you if you cross the line. If someone pulls out in front of you or suddenly stops, it will slow down or suddenly stop. It is black with black leather seats so it gets hot in the sun. But I love it! ...

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review