Since its very first day in the White River Toyota showroom, the Toyota Highlander has set the bar rather high for any crossover SUV that has come along since. The 2018 Toyota Highlander near Concord, NH has arrived to the White River Toyota showroom carrying over all of the same equipment that has been added over the last couple of years. In fact, the 2018 Highlander is just a year or two removed from an overhaul that introduced a more powerful V-6 engine and more precise transmission. Just as in previous years, the 2018 Toyota Highlander has been praised by independent reviews for offering a high-performing, maneuverable and family-friendly vehicle which ranks among the best in a crowded industry segment.
White River Toyota customers considering the 2018 Toyota Highlander have more than a few options to consider before leaving the showroom with their new purchase. The 2018 Highlander is available in six primary trim grades LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, Limited and Limited Platinum. Obviously, each trim offers an increasing set of standard features as a buyer moves up the trim ladder. Additionally, the interior seating options can be different depending on which trim grade is chosen. The standard set up is have a pair of bench seats in the back, but some trims will come with a pair of captain's chairs. Versions with the standard interior will have a maximum capacity of eight passengers which drops to seven with the alternative.
Entry-level models of the 2018 Toyota Highlander have a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower) under the hood that is connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. All other trims use a 3.5-liter, V-6 (295 horsepower) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Another strong point for the 2018 Highlander is the amount of interior cargo volume the vehicle has available. The three-row crossover SUV can just about match a small sedan when it's at max passenger capacity. Folding the third row down makes 42 cubic-feet available with up to 83 cu.-ft. to use behind the third row.
Towing figures for the 2018 Toyota Highlander will depend on which of the two engines are equipped. Models with the four-cylinder top out at about 1,500 pounds. However, choosing the V-6 option will easily move that capacity up to 5,000 pounds – one of the top marks in the crossover SUV class.