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2018 Toyota Highlander vs. 2018 Lexus RX: Which Is Best?
2018 Lexus RX 350L hero ・ Photo by Lexus
The 2018 Toyota Highlander and 2018 Lexus RX both offer the flexibility of three-row seating to carry the family and a few extra friends along with ample cargo capacity. They’re similar vehicles, but there are key differences between the two.
From styling to performance to seating, each crossover offers its own unique features. Let’s take a closer look at the 2018 Toyota Highlander and 2018 Lexus RX and see which is the better choice for you.
Pricing and Trims
The 2018 Toyota Highlander is available in six trim levels starting with the LE at $31,230. There’s a choice of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive on every trim in the lineup. Sitting at the top of the range is the Highlander Limited Platinum with all-wheel drive at $46,860.
The 2018 Lexus RX has a more limited range with a three-model lineup that starts with the base RX 350 at $43,470. The RX 350 is also offered as the performance-focused F-Sport, which adds roughly $6,000 to the price. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is again available across the lineup. The top RX 350L Luxury is priced from $52,685. The Highlander wins this one for its expansive range and more affordable pricing.
Photo by Toyota
Safety
The 2018 Toyota Highlander and 2018 Lexus RX are both Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2018 Top Safety Picks. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Highlander an overall five-star rating, but the agency gave the RX five stars for all-wheel drive models only. Front-wheel drive models received four stars.
Standard safety on every Highlander includes Toyota Safety Sense P with pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. The RX has Lexus Safety System+ with pre-collision, lane assistance, intelligent high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Safety is well-matched on these SUVs, but we give the edge to the Highlander for its slightly higher crash-test scores.
Photo by Toyota
Seating
The Toyota Highlander is a three-row SUV with room for up to eight passengers. The middle row is available as a bench seat with seating for three passengers or with captain’s chairs and room for only two. Although you lose one seating position with the captain’s chairs, they are more comfortable and have the added benefit of providing easier access to the third row.
The Lexus RX is also a three-row SUV if you choose the new L model, but with seating for a maximum of only seven passengers. It has the same option in the middle for a three-person bench seat or captain’s chairs, but the difference is in the third row. It has only room for two passengers — making the winner clear.
Toyota Highlander
Photo by Toyota
Fuel Efficiency
EPA-estimated fuel economy for the Toyota Highlander with front-wheel drive is up to 21 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel drive models come in with up to 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined.
The Lexus RX 350 with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel drive models get 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. It’s a close matchup between the two with a minimal difference, but the edge goes to the Highlander for its overall better rating on all-wheel drive models.
Toyota Highlander
Photo by Toyota
Cargo
The Toyota Highlander offers ample room for those times when the focus is on cargo rather than people. There’s 13.8 cubic feet for cargo behind the third row, up to 42.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 83.7 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Highlander can also tow up to 5,000 pounds of additional cargo.
The Lexus RX has up to 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row, 23.03 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.48 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Lexus can tow only 3,500 pounds. That’s a significant difference and makes the Highlander the clear winner if you put a priority on cargo capacity.
Toyota Highlander
Photo by Toyota
Infotainment
The base Entune Audio infotainment system found in the Toyota Highlander includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen, six speakers, one USB port, and Siri Eyes Free. Available upgrades include navigation, an 8-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system.
The Lexus RX counters with a standard 8-inch touchscreen, a nine-speaker audio system, and 2 USB ports. Upgrades include a Mark Levinson premium audio system with 15 speakers, navigation, and a 12.3-inch split-screen display. Although both systems offer plenty of features as you move to higher trims, the Lexus comes out ahead for its more fully-featured system even on the base model along with a larger available screen size.
Lexus RX
Photo by Lexus
Performance
The Toyota Highlander offers a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed automatic transmission on the base trim. The rest of the lineup gets a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic. You save money with the smaller engine, but for its size, the Highlander is best with the V6.
The Lexus RX 350 offers only a 3.5-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The F Sport variant has 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Even with the base engine, the Lexus is a smaller vehicle, which makes it a more engaging drive.
Lexus RX
Photo by Lexus
Hybrid Options
There are four hybrid Toyota Highlander trims priced from $36,870 to $48,480, while the Lexus RX has two trims priced from $45,895 to $54,555. That’s nearly a $10,000 difference to get into just the base Lexus RX hybrid.
As for fuel economy, the Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. The RX comes in with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. Although the Lexus gets slightly better fuel economy, which is important in a hybrid, the Highlander is much more affordable and offers more available trims for a modest fuel economy decrease.
Toyota Highlander
Photo by Toyota
Styling
Although these are both three-row SUVs, they each boast a very different style. The Highlander is boxier, more rugged, and rougher around the edges. Inside, materials are high quality with a clear focus on building an SUV that can stand the rigors of family life with plenty of adventure. It’s attractive and comfortable with enough room for everyone.
The Lexus RX takes a different approach. While it still offers three rows of seating, it has smaller dimensions and a more streamlined design. The outside looks more upscale — in keeping with the Lexus brand — with a curvier, more elegant appearance. The story is the same inside with premium materials that create a plush, upscale vibe.
Lexus RX
Photo by Lexus
Verdict
The 2018 Toyota Highlander comes out far ahead of the 2018 Lexus RX. Although both vehicles offer a range of trims with solid features and even several hybrid options, the Highlander is quite simply a more versatile vehicle than the RX.
It has more seating for passengers along with more room for cargo and a higher tow rating. The Highlander is also a much more affordable vehicle than the RX, making it easier to fit it into the family budget.
Toyota Highlander
Photo by Toyota