2018 Toyota Highlander : Fuel Economy Review

2018 Toyota Highlander : Fuel Economy Review

Toyota’s fuel-saving measures introduced for 2017—including the updated V-6 engine and a new eight-speed automatic transmission—seem to have paid off. The gas-powered Highlander’s EPA combined-fuel-economy estimates increased by 2 mpg on both front- and all-wheel-drive models, making the Highlander the most efficient V-6–powered crossover in this matchup. The available hybrid model sips fuel in the city but achieved the same result as the nonhybrid model in our real-world testing.

What’s New for 2018?
Our real-world testing of last year’s models will apply to 2018 models as well, since Toyota has changed nothing with the Highlander’s powertrain, exterior styling, or aerodynamics. The EPA’s estimations also carry over unchanged.

Fuel Economy Ratings Compared: Toyota Highlander, FWD

Fuel Economy Ratings Compared: Toyota Highlander, AWD

We’ve devised our own fuel-economy test in an attempt to replicate how most people drive on the highway. Our procedure entails a 200-mile out-and-back loop on Michigan’s I-94 highway. We maintain a GPS-verified 75 mph and use the cruise control as much as possible to mimic the way many drivers behave during long trips.

Both of the Highlanders we tested delivered matching 26-mpg results on our fuel-economy loop: The hybrid model’s advantage in the city doesn’t translate to long highway slogs. Its fuel tank holds two fewer gallons, too, which reduces its highway range. Source by caranddriver.com

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