2018 Toyota Highlander LE vs LE Plus
When you have a large family, finding a vehicle that can transport everyone and is still affordable can be a real challenge. Luckily, the Toyota SUV lineup has a few budget-friendly options, especially if you look at base trim offerings like the LE and LE Plus trims on the 2018 Toyota Highlander. With seating for up to eight passengers and a full menu of active safety features on each trim level, the 2018 Toyota Highlander is a great choice for a new family-hauler and offers family-friendly amenities on each model.
Learn more about the pricing, fuel economy, and engine options on the base 2018 Toyota Highlander LE and 2018 Toyota Highlander LE Plus trims below or click the link to head straight to the new Toyota Highlander inventory available at Ackerman Toyota in St. Louis.
2018 Highlander LE |
vs |
2018 Highlander LE Plus |
|---|---|---|
| $31,230 | Starting MSRP | $35,660 |
| 20/24 | Base Fuel Economy | 21/27 |
| 2.7-liter four-cylinder | Base Engine | 3.5-liter V6 |
| Yes | Toyota Safety Sense | Yes |
2018 Highlander Fuel Economy and Engine Options
Something to consider when trying to decide between the LE and LE Plus trims on the 2018 Toyota Highlander is that they come with different base engine offerings. The LE trim comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 185 horsepower and the LE Plus trim comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 295 horsepower.
While the base engine and horsepower ratings won’t make too much of a difference if you are using the Highlander as a daily driver, they matter quite a bit if you plan to do any towing. When equipped with their base engines, the LE trim has a max towing capacity of 1,500-pounds when properly equipped and the LE Plus trim has a max towing capacity of 5,000-pounds when properly equipped. If you think you may want to do any light-duty towing with your 2018 Highlander, we recommend upgrading to the LE Plus trim or getting the LE trim with an optional V6 engine.
The LE Plus trim also offers increased fuel efficiency, which can really make a difference at the fuel pump when you are driving such a large vehicle. The LE Plus trim with the base FWD V6 engine offers 21 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway compared to the LE trim’s base FWD engine that offers 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
For more information on what the 2018 Toyota Highlander lineup has to offer, visit the Ackerman Toyota dealership in St. Louis or connect with one of our team members via the pop-up form below.
