2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid goes way back as one of the first mass-market SUVs to be offered with a hybrid powertrain. The concept of a hybrid family SUV has gradually become more mainstream, and the Highlander Hybrid remains a strong choice in an increasingly competitive class. It has everything we love about the Highlander, like strong resale value, good safety scores, and a family-friendly interior, but adds a gas-electric hybrid powertrain with standard all-wheel drive (AWD) that returns 35 mpg, both in the city and on the highway. There’s also a non-hybrid Highlander and a bigger Grand Highlander Hybrid, which we review separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid SUVs, including the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Other than the sunsetting of the XLE Nightshade trim, there are no notable changes to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid for the 2026 model year.

The pricing of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a little high, considering more options are entering the field of hybrid 3-row SUVs. A few with lower base prices include the Kia Sorento Hybrid, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, and even Toyota’s own Grand Highlander Hybrid, which is bigger and roomier.

Before buying a Highlander Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Toyota Highlander Hybrid resale value is above average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 243-horsepower hybrid 4-cylinder engine matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive system was easy to recommend in previous years, and we’re happy that it’s now standard on every Highlander Hybrid.

This is a hybrid SUV for families, so we’re not surprised that it drives like one. We’ve found it excels at carrying the squad in comfort and quiet. Although quiet during regular driving duties, we noticed it could be a little noisy under hard acceleration, a common caveat with Toyota hybrids. However, we weren’t tempted to floor it very often in our testing.

The Highlander Hybrid has a little less power than the standard Highlander, which produces 265 hp, but it’s a small tradeoff for the excellent fuel economy. If you like the idea of a hybrid family hauler but crave a gutsier powertrain, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and its available 362-hp Hybrid MAX system might be more suitable. For families who prioritize efficiency over performance, the frugal Highlander Hybrid is the way to go.

Fuel Economy

The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the most efficient (non-electric) 3-row SUVs you can buy. It is rated at 35 mpg combined across the board. This is a significant improvement over rivals with standard gasoline engines, including the regular Toyota Highlander. That model achieves 24 mpg with all-wheel drive. The Highlander Hybrid’s efficiency is in the ballpark with all-wheel-drive versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Kia Sorento Hybrid.

According to EPA estimates, the monthly fuel cost of the Highlander Hybrid is about $50 less than the non-hybrid Highlander with all-wheel drive.

All Toyota Highlander Hybrid models have three rows and can seat at least seven. Seating for eight is optional, exclusively for the base XLE trim. All other trims are only available with second-row captain’s chairs, which makes the second row more comfortable and the third row easier to access.

We’ve found plenty of space in the first two rows of the Highlander Hybrid, but legroom is tight in the third, best left to smaller children. For context, the Sorento Hybrid has about the same front-seat legroom but more second- and third-row legroom, as does the Santa Fe Hybrid. If this is a deal-breaker, we advise checking out the Grand Highlander Hybrid, which has a roomier third row plus more cargo space.

Speaking of cargo space, we respect that the Highlander Hybrid gives up nothing compared to the standard hybrid despite having its innovative powertrain under the chassis. That means the same numbers: 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 with the third row folded, and 84.3 with the last two rows folded. These measurements are a little small for the class. In addition to the Grand Highlander Hybrid, the new Hyundai Palisade Hybrid is another option for a roomier 3-row hybrid SUV that’s priced in the same ballpark.

Toyota’s SofTex faux leather upholstery is standard, and the two upper trims have genuine leather. Top trims also have premium amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a digital rearview mirror with a built-in garage door opener, and a 10-inch head-up display (HUD).

An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, but if your budget allows it, we recommend upgrading to the dual 12.3-inch displays in the Limited trim and up. We’re grateful that wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the board.

Perhaps one of the best things about the Highlander Hybrid is that it doesn’t look like a hybrid. It just looks like a Highlander, and we like that. It has a small “Beyond Zero HEV” emblem, and that’s about the only tell. Otherwise, like the standard Highlander, this hybrid variant conveys a balance of handsomeness and ruggedness but never goes overboard.

Standard all-wheel drive
All-wheel drive comes standard on every Toyota Highlander Hybrid, making it an appealing option for families in snowy climates who can benefit from the extra traction.

Hybrid efficiency
If you’re shopping for a hybrid, low fuel costs are probably a priority. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t disappoint in this department; it returns 35 combined mpg.

Wireless smartphone connectivity
Whether you’re team Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can use your phone’s in-vehicle capabilities without connecting a cord.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5
We’ve long admired that Toyota doesn’t make you pay extra for active safety and driver-assist features. The Highlander Hybrid comes standard with driving aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and even blind-spot monitoring.

Dual 12.3-inch displays
This high-tech duo of screens is standard on the Limited trim and up. One controls infotainment functions, while the other is a digital driver display that can change with various driving modes. In our testing, we found the large format much easier to use.

Platinum trim
The highest trim of the Highlander Hybrid makes this family hauler competitive with pricier luxury SUVs. A few of its standard features include a panoramic sunroof, leather seats (heated and ventilated in front), a head-up display, and a JBL audio system.

The Highlander Hybrid makes 243 hp from a 4-cylinder gas engine mated to a pair of electric motors. All-wheel drive is standard on every trim. Every Highlander Hybrid uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and has a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Highlander Hybrid has a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, hybrid components are covered by an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty. The battery pack comes with a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty. As a nice bonus, Toyota includes complimentary scheduled maintenance over the first two years or 25,000 miles.

Safety

The Toyota Highlander has earned the coveted Top Safety Pick honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the top 5-Star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).