2018 Toyota Highlander Size: The Perfect Family SUV with Room for Improvement

The 2018 Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that has won the hearts of families all over the world thanks to its spacious interior its reliability and its smooth ride quality. Whether you're planning a road trip need extra cargo space or simply want a comfortable ride to work, this SUV has got you covered in terms of size. In this review we're going to take a deep dive into the Highlander's dimensions features and overall usability because let's face it—size matters when it comes to SUVs.

Why Size Matters: The Big Picture

When you're shopping for a family vehicle or just need something more spacious size is one of the first things you think about. The Toyota Highlander 2018 ticks the box in most areas but like any vehicle it's not without its quirks and yes some of them are more than a little funny in hindsight. Spoiler alert: tight parking garages might become your worst enemy.

Key Exterior Dimensions:

• Length: 192.5 inches (plenty long for cargo but you'll be watching out for curbs)
• Width: 75.8 inches (big but not so wide you'll worry about fitting through drive-thrus)
• Height: 68.1 inches (great clearance for road trips but watch out for low-hanging branches)
• Wheelbase: 109.8 inches (solid foundation for stability)
• Ground Clearance: 8 inches (perfect for mild off-roading or at least those pesky speed bumps)

Now let's get into the nitty-gritty details on how these dimensions translate to real-world driving parking and everyday usability.

Exterior Size: Maneuvering a "Boat" or Just a Big SUV?

One of the first things you'll notice about the 2018 Highlander is its size on the outside. It’s large enough to provide ample interior space but not so gigantic that you’ll need a second mortgage for the parking space. However parking this SUV in tight urban areas might require some extra maneuvering skills.

According to Alex Collantes a long-time Highlander enthusiast "I love the size of my 2018 Highlander when I'm driving it but parking? Let's just say I've had to make a few embarrassing reverse maneuvers more than once!"

So here’s the catch: while the Highlander does great on the open road it might not be the most agile in a crowded parking lot. Pro tip: back-in parking might become your new best friend.

Interior Space: Comfort for the Whole Family

Of course what’s an SUV without a comfortable roomy interior? The 2018 Highlander offers generous space for both passengers and cargo making it an ideal choice for large families or people who just have a lot of stuff to carry around (yes we’re talking about you weekend warriors and grocery store enthusiasts).

Passenger Space

The Highlander seats up to 8 passengers which is one of its biggest selling points. Here's how the space breaks down:

• Front row: 42 inches of legroom and 40.7 inches of headroom. If you like to stretch out the Highlander won’t disappoint.
• Second row: 38.4 inches of legroom and 39.9 inches of headroom. The second-row seats are comfy enough for adults but keep in mind that the middle seat can feel a bit cramped if you're trying to fit three larger passengers.
• Third row: 27.7 inches of legroom and 35.9 inches of headroom. Let’s be real here—this is where you’ll stuff the kids. Third-row seating in most SUVs including the Highlander isn't exactly designed for long road trips unless your passengers are pint-sized or extremely flexible.

Fun fact: You may be tempted to throw your adult friends in the third row for a short trip but don't be surprised if they emerge with an entirely new yoga routine by the end of it.

Cargo Space: Packing It All In

Now let’s talk about cargo space because that's the real reason you're probably looking at a midsize SUV like this. The Highlander doesn’t disappoint with enough space to haul everything from groceries to camping gear to your spontaneous Costco hauls.

Cargo capacity:

• 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row (just enough for a few bags of groceries)
• 42.3 cubic feet behind the second row (perfect for weekend trips)
• 83.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down (aka you could probably live in it if you had to)

If you're one of those people who constantly packs more than you need (and let's face it we all know someone like that) you'll appreciate the Highlander’s versatility. The folding seats are simple to operate and create a flat loading floor making it easy to pack in large items.

Drawback alert: The only issue you might run into is that if all seats are in use the cargo space behind the third row isn’t exactly cavernous. So if you're transporting a full crew you might have to get creative with where you store all your luggage.

The Driving Experience: Smooth But Not Sporty

Now that we've covered how much you can fit into the 2018 Highlander let's talk about what it's like to actually drive this beast.

Handling & Performance: More Like a Comfort Cruiser Than a Speed Demon

The 2018 Highlander comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower. This makes it capable of handling highways and hilly terrain with ease but don't expect any race car-like handling.

Alex Collantes chimes in with another personal opinion: "Look I love my Highlander but it's not exactly a corner-carver. It’s more like driving a comfy couch that happens to have wheels. And I’m totally okay with that."

So while the Highlander excels in comfort and reliability it’s not going to satisfy the speed junkie in you. And that’s okay because it wasn’t really designed for that.

Bonus Feature: Toyota also offers an all-wheel-drive option which is perfect if you live in areas with harsh winters or if you just want that extra bit of security when tackling tough terrain.

Drawbacks: The Downsides With a Smile

No car is perfect and while the Highlander does many things well it does have a few quirks that might make you chuckle or possibly curse under your breath depending on your mood.

• Third-row legroom: Let’s just say that "roomy" is not a word your backseat passengers will use unless they're under 12 years old.
• Not the most agile: If you’ve ever had to make a U-turn in a narrow street you might be better off looking for a roundabout instead. Maneuvering this SUV can feel a bit like turning the Titanic.
• Infotainment system: While not a dealbreaker the Entune system on the 2018 model isn’t exactly the most intuitive. And good luck explaining that to your passengers while driving.

Fuel Efficiency: Not Bad for a Big Guy

Let's be honest—fuel efficiency isn't usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a three-row SUV but the 2018 Highlander holds its own in this department.

• EPA ratings: 20 mpg city / 27 mpg highway (with the V6 engine)
• Combined rating: Around 23 mpg

While those numbers won't win any eco awards they're decent for a vehicle of this size. If you're planning on using the Highlander for long road trips the highway fuel economy will come in handy.

Safety Features: Because Your Family Is Precious Cargo

The 2018 Toyota Highlander doesn't skimp when it comes to safety. In fact it's one of the SUV's standout features.

Standard Safety Features

Toyota includes its Safety Sense P suite of advanced safety features as standard which is a big selling point for families.

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Dynamic radar cruise control
• Automatic high beams

In addition to these features the Highlander also received top marks in crash tests earning a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and being named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

Drawback? Well it’s more of a humorous observation: With so many safety beeps and alerts you might find yourself talking to the car more than your passengers. But hey at least you know it’s got your back!

Conclusion: The Right Size for Most Families

The 2018 Toyota Highlander strikes a fine balance between size performance and practicality. Whether you're hauling a big family need extra cargo space or simply want a comfortable ride it delivers where it counts.

Sure it's not perfect—parking can be tricky the third row isn’t exactly made for adults and its infotainment system could use an upgrade—but for most people those quirks are more amusing than dealbreakers. Plus if you’re a fan of comfort reliability and safety it’s hard to go wrong with this SUV.

In Alex Collantes' words "The Highlander has its flaws but at the end of the day I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. It’s like a big reliable friend that occasionally needs a little extra elbow room."

So if you're in the market for a midsize SUV with just the right amount of space (and a dash of character) the 2018 Toyota Highlander should definitely be on your list.