2019 Toyota Highlander

Highlander vs. Explorer: Size and Price Difference

Both the Highlander and the Explorer are midsize SUVs with three rows of seating. The Toyota Highlander can give you seating for up to eight people, but the Ford Explorer only gives you seating for seven. In its back row, the Explorer seats only two people, but the Highlander seats three people in the third row, so there is a difference in size when it comes to passenger capacity.

Now, let's take a look at cargo space. The 2019 Highlander gives you 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.3 cubic feet if you fold the third row down, and 83.7 cubic feet of space with the second and third rows folded down. The 2019 Explorer gives you 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.9 behind the second row, and 81.7 behind the first row. That means the Explorer offers you more behind the third row, but the Highlander offer you more overall.

The 2019 Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $31,330, and it can go up to a price of $42,430. The 2019 Ford Explorer has a starting price of $32,365, but this vehicle can go up to a price around $54,165 for the top-level trim. Overall, the Ford Explorer is the more expensive option.

Performance, Safety, and Fuel Economy

Now that we have discussed the size and price difference between the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer, we can take a look at the performance and safety of the Toyota Highlander.

In terms of performance, the 2019 Highlander offers you two different engine options. The base engine is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine produces 185-horsepower, and it gives you 20 city and 24 highway miles per gallon. However, this engine is only found on the base trim level. The rest of the Highlander models come with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295-horsepower. This V6 engine offers you better fuel efficiency with 21 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. Also, with the V6 engine and the Highlander properly equipped, this vehicle can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

What does the 2019 Toyota Highlander offer you in terms of safety features? You get a lot of great safety features standard in the 2019 Highlander because you get the Toyota Safety Sense P system standard. Toyota Safety Sense P gives you features like Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, and Automatic High Beams.

Clearly, the Highlander has a lot to offer you in terms of performance, safety, and fuel economy. There is also a hybrid version of the Highlander if you want even better fuel efficiency.

Five Unique Trims + Hybrid Model

You have five great trim options in the 2019 Toyota Highlander, and you even have a hybrid version available. The five trim options in the 2019 Toyota Highlander include the LE, LE Plus, XLE, SE, and Limited. Each of these trim options offers you slightly different features. Check out the highlights of each Highlander trim level below.

The base trim for the Highlander is the LE. This trim starts out at a price of $31,330. The LE trim is the only Highlander that comes with the four-cylinder engine; the rest of the Highlander trims come with the V6 engine. In terms of other features, the LE gives you cloth upholstery and seating for eight people. You also get an infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and five USB ports. With the LE trim, you also get some safety features standard including pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The LE Plus is the next step up for the 2019 Highlander. With this trim, you start at a price of $36,260. You get some upgrades in terms of comfort with features like synthetic leather-trimmed seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. You also get some upgraded technology features including an 8-inch touchscreen, HD radio, and navigation with smartphone integration.

The Toyota Highlander XLE is your next option, and this vehicle has a starting price of $39,220. This vehicle gives you leather seats in the first two rows and synthetic leather seats in the third row. You also exchanged the second-row bench seat for captain?s chairs giving this trim seating for seven. Other standard features on the 2019 Toyota Highlander XLE include the Entune app suite, integrated navigation, a moonroof, push-button start, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring.

Next, is the SE trim. This trim is the sportier trim option. It starts off at a price of $40,440. In this trim, you get sport features like 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and black leather-trimmed seats.

Your final trim option is the 2019 Toyota Highlander Limited. The Limited trim will cost you $42,430, and it will give you upgrades like a premium JBL audio system and perforated leather-trimmed ventilated front seats.

The 2019 Toyota Highlander also has a hybrid option. The hybrid powertrain is a 3.5-liter V6 engine that is paired with three electric motors that produces 306-horsepower, and it comes with an eCVT. In this hybrid SUV, you can get 29 city miles per gallon and 27 on the highway.

The 2019 Toyota Highlander is a great midsize SUV option. This vehicle offers you a powerful capability and great fuel efficiency. You also get a lot of great safety features standard with Toyota Safety Sense standard. The Highlander has five different trim options for you to choose from that each offer you different features and technology options, so there is a Highlander for everyone to enjoy.

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