2017/2018 Toyota Highlander & Highlander Hybrid Review and Road Test
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2017
- Toyota's Highlander is on the smaller end of the three-row crossover segment, but that's exactly what families seem to love about it. With seating for 8 in a pinch, excellent reliability and a heap of changes for 2017 the Highlander is a better value than ever before. In this refresh Toyota decided to drop a new V6 under the hood of hybrid and non-hybrid models along with a new 8-speed automatic borrowed from Lexus. Then they added in their latest active safety systems standard in all models including the base trim giving every Highlander in America adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking. The combination makes the Highlander not just teh reliable choice for a three-row crossover but one of the best values in America.
0-30 : 3 Seconds
0-60 : 6.9 Seconds
1/4 Mile : 15.5 Sec @ 90 MPH
60-0 Braking : 127 Feet
Join Today: bit.ly/2WdCEwW
The Best Cars, Trucks & SUVs: • The A List - The Best ...
Follow AoA on Facebook: theautobuyersguide/
Follow The Mountain Garden: goo.gl/icFWcd 
Авто/Мото
![Finesse2Tymes - Pretty Ricky [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xIoP_mhYRT0/mqdefault.jpg)
You already know this, but your reviews are better than anything out there. The major publications should be ashamed of what they put out compared to you.
Your professionalism is honestly incredible.
agreed. but shitty editing
That... what?
loxo
I have been watching your video's for some time now. For as long as I could see over the dash of my father's car I've been a piston head, 50+ years now. Your reviews set the standard for others to follow. Thank you for consistently giving us the info we need combined with the delivery we can all respect and enjoy. Great Job, and keep up the great reviews!!
You sir, have the best Auto reviews on RUclips.
Your vehicle reviews are by far the best I've ever seen. Well done!
Wow! That's about the best review - the best review style - I've ever seen! Nice!
Alex, you are at the top of your profession, thank you.
Amazing video. One of the most informative videos I’ve seen so far. One of the best I’ve seen yet. God job brother.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
You really deliver high quality reviews. Thank you!
Excellent review! Accurate, complete, and straight to the point. Great job!
Wow, this guy is detail! My new source for car.
Excellent review! I do not know how you run through so much information without some sort of TelePrompTer!
Alex, I love you videos. All facts, no fluff. Outstanding!
Alex you are so PERSUASIVE & RELIABLE !!!!!! Thanks for your great videos ! If I want to buy a new car , your videos would be my main source.
Best car review channel, hands down.
Best review I’ve seen! Thanks for the info :)
that was some detailed information man, thanks.
I'm a handyman there one thing i like about the vehicle is that the tailgate top glass open. wish all midsize SUV will do the same.
Best reviews on RUclips!😊
This is the place to go if you are looking to buy a car.. best vehicle reviews on RUclips.
Excellent review. Very comprehensive and presented in an exceedingly professional manner. I own the 2017 Highlander Hybrid and have logged 40K miles on it so far. In my experience, if you learn how to maximize efficiency between using the battery and gas engine, you can get around 32 mpg in the fall/spring/summer, and 30mpg in the winter (about 50/50 highway/city). I've maxed out at 35mpg on a tank of gas if I drive gently in "ECO" mode with the A/C off...which is incredibly efficient for a 5,000 pound SUV. That said, what really sucks the life out of MPG in this vehicle are 1) climbing hills, and 2) spirited acceleration. One other thing worth mentioning: This car handles and corners like it's sitting on bicycle wheels. This car is simply incapable of any sort of aggressive cornering...it will roll and slop around, and the electric steering provides absolutely no feeling for the road. But, overall, it's a very comfortable and easy to drive car.
Jeb Buchman how does the hybrid handle in the snow?
please 2018 VW atlas and Tiguan next. Your reviews are the most comprehensive. you're the best of all reviewers.
MouseClick -Theddy- agreed. Waiting for the atlas review. Thanks!
Great analysis. Kindly post review on Toyota Landcruiser 2014/2015.
thanks alex waiting for looong time
Very detailed review and new subscriber here. More videos!
Cant wait for the traverae review
Amazing review alex u r one of the best. Please post a review of 2018 kia sorento when it comes to usa. It has also undergone a mild refresh.
Very minor, it seems that we will not get the 8-speed auto found in the Korean market Sorento,.
thanks! been waiting for this! will you be doing a review for the 4Runner soon?
Please do a review for the 2018 Toyota Sequoia.
Thank you.
Nice timing on this video. I am debating trading my 14 XLE Non hybrid + 12 ct200h for a 17 or 18 xle hybrid but can't make the math to validate what my roi would be.
Alex, could you review VW Altas? It's only manufactured in USA and China. It's getting very popular in China but I don't see many on the road here in the states. But it looks like a decent 7 seats family crossover. Any chance you can review it? Appreciate it!
We were contemplating purchasing a 2018 Highlander Platinum but lack of Car Play and HID/LED lights is a deal breaker. Although we really don’t need a third row, now the Durango Citadel is in the running along with the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. I realize we likely will need a Mopar Max Care extended warrantee with the latter. Maybe the 2019 Highlander will have HID and Car Play.
Alex,
Great review. I especially liked the break even estimate you gave. It really seems if you're driving an average amount of miles per year and you intend on keeping the Highlander for quite a while, it's not worth getting into the hybrid unless your primary concern is going green. The economics behind it don't make sense. But it seems if you're driving a lot of city miles then it would be worth it as the MPG in the city in hybrid vs. gas is significant.
Is the Limited not offered in hybrid form? Your picture showed that for the higher trims in hybrid, you had either XLE or Limited Platinum. Tough choice as the price difference was significant.
I bought a 2019 LE hybrid version of the Highlander. I am getting 25 mpg combined in winter conditions and 27-29 mpg in spring-like conditions. I live in Salt Lake UT and the vehicle did fine under normal snow conditions. Yet to test it on the mountains.
Looking forward to see review of New Honda Accord 2.0 L 252HP.
You pack your videos with PhD level information. Thank you.
Good review Alex. What is the reliability of new powertrain given the 8 speed andAtkinson cycle. Lots of unknown.
I just like the front grill👍
We find the rear separate opening window very nice, especially considering how slow the tailgate opens. We use it for grocery runs all the time. The separate window is also very nice for long items like you mentioned. We hauled a paddle board and only had drive around the with window open opposed to the big tailgate open. We also did not die of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is very nice. Great review. Thanks.
Jeff Hirata wish more CUVs had it.,,my 2010 Honda Pilot Touring had it too...
I like this car!
Also you leave the hatch closed so you can pack in the 3rd row (3rd row up) from the glass opening. Just don't open the hatch.
Please advice which is better buy 2018 Highlander OR Kia Sorento 2019?
Now that the Pacifica has been out for a little while have you heard about any reliability concerns with it? FCA is putting some serious incentives on it (non-hybrid) as they usually do so the value is very much in favor of the Pacifica.
You forgot to mention long term reliability, Toyota highlander smashes all competitors. As a family hauler this is the most important criteria in selection for this type of vehicle.
We did mention reliability in the comparison section
As always, great video of the Highlander review. What is the 1/2 leather seat listed in some of the Highlander's trim? I noticed Toyota does not use genuine leather in some of their cars anymore, does the Highlander has faux leather or genuine leather seat?
+dcpc08161992 the highlander gets leather but only in the first and second row.
We find the 2019 headlights just fine. Don’t need LED’ headlights. Auto high beam control works fantastic, certainly quicker than manual control.
The Highlander Hybrid Limited I bought looked a little different on the inside. For example, I had a snow button, and the heated seat controls are different too.
Andy Hu how did it handle in the snow?
Alex would you pick this or the Subaru Ascent?
Here in Canada we don't get heated seats as standard equipment what an over sight especially when the vehicle starts at 40.000 thousand you have to go up in price to get it we can get heated seats in a rav 4 as standard equipment as always great reviews Alex
what did u end up getting
just get the convenience package , still less than 40k with the heated seats, power tailgate etc
1:21 I couldn't help but notice that the Sorento in your size chart was only a few inches longer than the Volkswagen Tiguan. I know the current generation is slightly longer but why was the previous gen called a mid size when it's clearly on the large end of the compact SUV segment?
I looked at a Mitsubishi outlander and it was equipped pretty well and priced very competitive too. But I've always owned Toyota and was a little apprehensive to buy it. No SUV in class with 7 row standard in this price range, or equipped the same. Can you please do a review on one, considering Mitsubishi history and reliability.
jasen ratnam expensive, outlander SEL equipped with blind spot monitoring, leather, 7 row, 750w premium sound system, smart key, and many more options and was under 26k after factory rebate. No SUV out there compete with it even korean cars.
2018 Durango RT with the hemi please
Toyota's facelifts or new designs in their vehicles can be polarizing.
there interiors are bland tho
Toyota is the new GM -- they are more interested in facelifts than real improvements
The intro reminds me of Amateur Allure.
Do the hybrid models come in a 4x4 model?
The Highlander is crushing the Honda Pilot's heart in its hands when it comes to sales. They were neck-and-neck, before the Honda redesign to look like a bigger CRV. Now, the Highlander outsells Pilot 2-to-1.
They're having problems keeping up with demand and are expanding capacity.
The Pilot has a sweet engine & powertrain. However that ZF 9spd has terrible reliability and unless you go for the top-end trims the Pilot feels plastic-heavy on its interior. While definitely not the best, the Highlander's interior feels nicer than the Pilot. However put it beside a Explorer, CX-9 or the new Atlas and even the Toyota feels left behind.
best in class hands down
jackass
Can you review the 2018 Camry? I just got an SE model of the 2018, and I wanted to know what your thoughts are!
We have a hybrid review up already and will have a V6 review in a few weeks.
oh wow I guess I am blind! Thanks!
You are amazing ;-)
Hi Alex. What BMW and Volvo vehicles does the Toyota transmission appear to be in?
+DMaster Mensionz the X1, 2-series touring, most MINI models, and essentially every Volvo sold in America
Alex on Autos This is great info. This information is nowhere listed on a Google search. Kudos to you.
Yes, the BMW X1, 2 series, even the Audi A3, Q3 series has Aidan/ Toyota gearboxes.... higher up they have ZF transmissions mostly
Sorry for typo "Aisin" transmissions
you don't have Subaru on the size comparison scale. WHY?
Great review, very thorough. Please note that hybrid payback based solely on fuel savings is sketchy at best. Such comparisons assume the same maintenance requirements and resale value. Typically hybrids require less maintenance and Toyota hybrid batteries have proven to be very durable. Obviously, the price of fuel is a big factor in fuel savings and resale.
They really should have kept the V6 hybrid instead of the weak 4 cylinder they use now.
Why did you say that the Kia Sorento is more reliable than the Toyota?
What exactly makes this a crossover rather than an SUV? It definitely looks like an SUV.
I also will never stop loving your milk index on the center consoles.
Crossover is a car based platform SUV. SUV's in the past have been truck based and or more geared toward off road capability.
the U in SUV stands for utility. This doesn't do the utility part. Crossover = Tall station wagon.
please do a Mercedes Benz gls review!!!!
How is the 4cyl fwd getting the same mpg as a v6 awd? Toyota needs to work on that. 4cyl highway should be 30+ mpg not 24.
The 4-banger will work harder to carry the heavy vehicle than the V6, so it will use more fuel.
The V6 will not work as hard, so it will use less fuel.
Any 4-banger would do the same. They build it for CAFE fleet regs in the US
Yup, just like a turbo 4 will probably get less in the real world than a V-6. V-6's work at ease and thus deliver better fuel mileage. 4-bangers are best for lighter cars. Fuel mileage is largely based on how hard the engine has to work. In the Highlander, it will run at higher RPM than V-6. It's offered mainly to advertise low starting price.
Its all about tunning
I love my 2017 HL Hybrid, BUT, they need to fix their dangerously SLOW hatch, and their JOKE of a heated steering wheel, which is only heated partially???? Not a deal breaker, but two things they can easily change and make a very good vehicle, great!
Is AWD necessary? I mean if FWD is good enough even in the snow with traction control, I don't want to sacrifice extra weight and -1 in gas mileage just to get a faster 0-60 split. I think FWD in general rides smoother than AWD...
no it's not it's a waste of money. AWD isn't ever needed except the rare occasion you actually go off road.
Alex, my biggest beef with the Kia is that resale value after a couple years is going to be nowhere near as good as the highlander. For someone that changes out vehicles every 3-4 years that's a big selling point.
You buy new every 3 years or lease?
I agree. I was looking at the 2017 prices for the highlander and Sorrento and was surprised how well the highlander holds its value. I’m now waiting for the 2020 HL redesign
Based on a lot of comments from a lot of car reviews, I find it hard to trust a hybrid from a chrysler.
Does anyone have any more information on the transmission problem in this link below? Has Toyota fixed the issue for the 2018 Highlander?
forums.edmunds.com/discussion/49348/toyota/highlander/toyota-highlander-2017-transmission-issues
Thanks so much.
Why the MPG figure is 29 city and 27 highway for hybrid? Typo mistake maybe?
Hybrid MPG is always higher in the city.
J Singh, with hybrids, the electric motor takes over more in the city in stop and go and low speeds. While at highway speeds the gas engine is doing more [most] of the work. With a hybrid, the gas engine actually shuts off in the city at stop lights and other sustained stops or very low speed. So while all conventional gas powered vehicles achieve higher MPG on the highway, it's backwards for hybrids although the gap between the 2 numbers is smaller for hybrids.
Alex, I've watched your channel for a long time. What would you choose here?: 2016 Ford Explorer Sport @$35k vs 2016 Highlander Limited AWD @ $37k
2017 Highlander is out of my price range
Take a look on autotrader.com. I've been looking at this vehicle segment for the past couple weeks and you can find better prices on both there, and CPO at that.
matt34003434 yeah but many will be previous rentals or higher mileage. Where I am this seems to be the regular price. I am patient though and will wait for a good deal.
I really wished the review was on the regular gas model! I do believe it outsells this hybrid model by significant margin! Does this model come as a 2 row version?
Why would anyone buy the 4cyl, when the mpg is worse than the 6cyl?
Occams Razor cheaper
Occams Razor
Leased fleet vehicles. 😉
He made a mistake, the 4 cylinder is 21 city 27 high way
The fact the lowly Corolla has LED headlights STANDARD yet the ~$50k+ Highlander Limited cannot even be optioned with HID or LED is hurting my head.
The powertrain is nice, efficient & refined but it feels surprisingly weaker than what its numbers suggest. For some reason the Explorer, Atlas and Pilot feels more sprightly, even if they are down on power. The one I tested was the 300hp+ hybrid as well; weight I assume? Also the Highlander's optional 2nd row captain's chairs are by far the worst I've experienced; it was as if Toyota forgot about thigh support & made them about 50cm from the floor to the seat bottom. Likely due to its smaller size, getting to the 3rd row is also a pain compared to the Atlas & Pilot.
Probably because if you're shopping for a 3 row SUV, the Highlander just feels a tad small, especially Toyota's optimistic idea of seating 3 in the 3rd row (maybe if you're small framed Asians). My money goes towards either the Explorer, Atlas or even the Pilot. (The CX-9 is omitted due to Mazda's rust issues & the Durango due to FCA reliability).
@trades46 . what do u think of the . bbuick enclave?
I'd rather get a CX9. Or if I have the money for gas, an Explorer sport or platinum (cpo obviously because I'm never paying 50k for a Ford)
You said explorer and cx9 are larger than
pilot, but I've been in all 3 and cx9 is so cramped. Explorer is better but still not as open as pilot
snazari1994
Overall length does not always equate to cabin space.
What does anyone think about the chevy traverse vs the highlander?
The 2020 Hybrid brings a 10 MPG improvement.
@Righteous Please note how many more views Alex's Highlander Hybrid video has and they are not even on sale yet. The Hybrid gets to 60 in under 8 seconds and that is plenty of speed for a family CUV.
@Righteous I can only go by the reviews provided by those who had special access to a vehicle which is not yet for sale to the public. Everyone has concluded the power of the new 4 cylinder engine in conjunction with the electric motors is completely adequate especially when considering the huge leap in fuel efficiency. The 2020 Hybrid has also retained the same 3,50O lbs towing capacity as the V6 while losing several hundred pounds in mass. If you have driven the new one and reached the opposite conclusion then so be it.
@Righteous Exactly.
It is Toyota but not available in Japan....
You guys don't make enough kids you don't need it
the 2018 isnt even out yet? why is it titled 2018?
randomrazr cause it is unchanged
theres always some minor new feature or change. bs
I was talking to a guy at the VA where his nice BMW broke down... bla bla bla. As I walk away I said, "Next time get a Toyota or a Honda". He said, " I know, my wife got a Toyota highlander with 300k miles".
Why does the grill have to be so ugly?
Careful, the right shoulder doesn't have much there to keep you from a trip down the hill. I enjoy your reviews.
I have a Toyota Highlander but it’s true 2018
As someone who has owned a 2014 Sorento, I can tell y'all those things are not that reliable. Maybe the V6 ones are, but not the more common 2.4 version.
Does it do 4K tho? What resolution and pixels is the camera?? Is there a version without bezels? What kind of processor does it have? Sorry but you failed to answer the basics.
Is it just me or do Toyota’s interiors look really cheap? You can pay over $40,000 and you still get cloth seats. The graphics and menus on the main screen look straight out of the mid 2000’s. No apple car play or android auto. The display in the instrument cluster is from the original 2005 Motorola Razr. That center console reminds me of my grandmas roll front bread box.
You should inject a bit of humor into your reviews like Kbb. While your reviews are technically good, they just feel like you discussing the window sticker
Give me a reason why I should subscribe u !!!
tseng jessica mmmm, Jessica you look yummy
Here you go again with messing up the facts wrt Sorento. The Sorento beats the highlander in all interior dimensions except the cargo volume. And this time you even listed the specs in your video.
LOL, no it doesn't. Highlander has more 2nd and 3rd row leg room and head room.
Nope. Check the specs online as well as Alex's video
+akshayd82 specs don't tell the whole story, the Highlander is roomier because of the way legroom especially can be measured
Seat material is already getting old.
I think the option to only open the rear glass is dying due to power lift gates, if I just press a button then there's no need for easier access.
The point of the glass opening is if you have cargo that is too long for the car, you can stick it out of the glass area while still leaping the rear door closed.
VJLove BEAUTY good point
Looks very outdated compared to the competition
I agree. Toyota has a very old school look that thy don't want to depart from.
wOW
Toyota, please fire the exterior designers of Highlander and Prius.
Spend more resources on developing an all-new 4Runner.
Enough with these FWD soccer mom "cars."
Shin Ken, very few people want SUV's that drive like trucks, hence why crossovers are now the biggest auto segment. As a man, I much prefer Highlander over 4-Runner.
arent bigger cars safer in an accident tho?
Highlander has been around for a long time it also shares the same chassis with RX those are better roadtrip vehicles than the 4runner all great vehicles but the highlander has good purpose it also has better ground clearance than the average suv
Scrap the 4 banger garbage Toyota.
schmo7777 it's a good engine in the single cab tacoma
Digital CLOCK? What? Waste of space.