For an affordable SUV with a smooth ride and commanding V6 engine, look no further than the Toyota Highlander SE. Its 5,000-pound tow rating and spacious interior make it perfect for everything from rides to soccer practice to cross-country camping trips.

Since its introduction in 2001, the

Toyota Highlander

has been growing in popularity, as more families opt for a fuel-efficient crossover instead of a bulky SUV. But how does the Highlander’s V6 engine compare to its four-cylinder counterpart?

We're here to break it down for you. We’ll cover everything you need to know about the Toyota Highlander SE: horsepower, torque, gas mileage—you name it! More importantly, we’ll prepare you to answer the million-dollar question: is the Highlander’s V6 engine worth the extra money?

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2019 Toyota Highlander SE V6

Starting price: $42,060

Engine: 3.5L V6

Horsepower: 295 @ 6600 rpm

Torque: 263 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm

0 to 60: 7.2 seconds

With sport-tuned suspension and a 295-horsepower V6 engine, the Highlander SE is geared toward performance. Compared to the lighter

and

XLE

trims, the SE features blacked-out headlamps, taillamps, wheels, and fog lights to complement its sleek design.

So, what else do you get to justify the increased price tag that comes with the luxurious SE trim? Here are a few highlights:

Leather-trimmed steering wheel and seats

LED headlights with auto on/off feature

A power-controlled moonroof

Heated front seats

Entune™ premium audio

An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display

And there’s more where that came from! The Highlander SE also boasts blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Pair that with its five-star

NHTSA safety rating

and you’ve got the perfect recipe for no-stress driving—even in busy traffic.

How’s the fuel economy?

Curiously, the Toyota Highlander is one of the few vehicles where the V6 outperforms the four-cylinder engine in terms of gas mileage. Check out the specs:

Four-cylinder: 20 mpg city, 24 mpg highway

Six-cylinder: 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway

For a killer combo of strength and efficiency, go with the V6 Toyota Highlander.

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Which Toyota Highlander models have the V6?

Though Toyota Highlanders come standard with a four-cylinder engine, you can add a gas-powered V6 or a V6 hybrid engine to any of the trim levels.

How fast is the Toyota Highlander SE V6?

There’s no sugarcoating it: the Highlander SE isn’t built for speed. Even equipped with the mighty V6 engine, it still takes over seven seconds to reach 60 mph. Here’s how that stacks up against some of the Highlander’s main competitors:

Dodge Durango

: 6.2 seconds (with the V8 engine)

Nissan Pathfinder

: 6.6 seconds

Chevy Traverse

: 6.9 seconds

Key Takeaway Not only does the V6 engine add horsepower to the Toyota Highlander SE, but it also improves the Highlander’s fuel efficiency.

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Which is best: Highlander SE, LE, or Platinum?

Since it depends on your personal preferences, we can’t give you a magic formula for choosing the right SUV. We can, however, give you a quick walkthrough of what we would recommend to different types of drivers:

If you want a low price tag, go for the Highlander LE. Its starting price is $10,000 lower than the SE, and it’ll be a sturdy, economical choice for your family.

If you want fuel efficiency, go for the Highlander SE with a V6 engine. The V6 engines (especially the hybrid powertrain) outpace the four-cylinder when it comes to miles per gallon.

If you want the height of luxury, go for the

Highlander Platinum

. On top of the deluxe features that come with the SE, you’ll get a JBL audio system, Bird’s Eye View™ Camera, and front/rear sonar parking assist.

If it were up to us, we think the Toyota Highlander SE with a V6 engine is the perfect balance of prestige and affordability. The Platinum trim level is just a bit too pricey, and the LE doesn’t have quite enough features.

For the best of both worlds, go for the SE trim with a stout V6 powertrain.

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How to find affordable Toyota Highlander insurance

If your monthly budget is spent on things like school supplies and shin guards, you could probably use a little extra money (couldn’t we all?).

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FAQs

Does the Toyota Highlander SE come in V6?

Yes. The Toyota Highlander SE, along with all of the Highlander models in 2019, can be upgraded with a 295-horsepower V6 engine.

Are V6 Toyotas reliable?

The V6 Toyota engines live up to the brand’s reputation when it comes to reliability. With proper maintenance, your V6 engine should keep humming along for over 200,000 miles!

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