2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Highlander Hybrid has an X-factor among 3-row midsize SUVs, and it’s right there in the name. This Toyota is among the rare vehicles in its class to offer a hybrid powertrain, combining a gasoline engine and an electric motor. That results in excellent fuel economy of up to 36 mpg combined. Compare that to the 25 mpg of a standard Highlander (reviewed separately), and it’s easy to see how quickly you can save money at the pump.

Yet the Toyota Highlander Hybrid doesn’t sacrifice to achieve its efficiency. It still has seating for up to eight, excellent safety features, and even the same cargo space as a non-hybrid Highlander. The base price is only $1,600 more than a standard Highlander. At today’s gas prices, that’s what, one fill-up?

Surprisingly, the Highlander Hybrid still doesn’t have many direct rivals. The Ford Explorer hybrid costs quite a bit more, and the Kia Sorento Hybrid is smaller than this Toyota. If you need something bigger, you needn’t go to another dealership. Toyota recently introduced the larger Grand Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrid twins.

A Nightshade Edition becomes available for LE and XLE trims of the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

The Highlander Hybrid is priced substantially lower than the hybrid version of the Ford Explorer, which begins at over $53,000. The smaller Kia Sorento Hybrid starts at around $37K.

Before buying a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should pay. The Highlander Hybrid touts strong resale value. That’s a trademark of Toyota, winner of our Best Resale Value Award among mainstream brands.

In our time behind the wheel of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, we’ve found it enjoyable and agreeable. The Highlander Hybrid has less horsepower than the standard model – 243 vs. 265 – but it’s still plenty competent and a small tradeoff for the stellar fuel economy.

Like other Toyota hybrids, the Highlander Hybrid uses an electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which tends to get slightly noisy under hard acceleration. But how often will you be flooring it?

Even with the new, more aggressive-looking Nightshade Edition, this Toyota SUV doesn’t have sporting intentions. It’s still a 3-row family hauler and a hybrid one at that. We’ve found it excels at carrying the squad in comfort and quiet. The vehicle, at least; we can’t speak for the sugar-addled kiddos in the back.

An electronic, on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) system can be had instead of the standard front-wheel drive (FWD). It’s easy to recommend if you live where winter means slick and icy roads, and it barely makes a dent in fuel consumption, just 1 mpg less than FWD hybrid models.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching this generation of midsize SUVs, including the Highlander.

Fuel Economy

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the most efficient 3-row SUVs you can buy. It is rated at 36 mpg combined (36 city/35 highway) with FWD. AWD models fare nearly as well, earning 35 mpg across the board. These numbers are a significant improvement over rivals with standard gasoline engines, including the regular Toyota Highlander. That model achieves 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD. According to EPA estimates at the time of publishing, this can equate to a savings of around $70 a month on fuel costs. Another perk of all that efficiency is the total driving range. A FWD Toyota Highlander Hybrid is rated at up to 616 miles of range, with AWD models at 598. More fuel economy information can be found on the EPA’s website.

All Toyota Highlander Highlander models have three rows and can seat seven or eight passengers. The LE trim comes exclusively with a second-row bench, which means seating for eight passengers. The XLE also offers this setup or a 7-passenger interior that swaps the bench for two captain’s seats. This 7-row configuration is the only choice for the higher trims. In addition to better comfort for second-row passengers, this setup allows easier access to the last row.

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. 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 vs. the standard hybrid despite having stuff 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 typical for the class and very useful.

Cabin upholstery ranges from fabric in LE trims to Toyota’s SofTex faux leather or genuine leather. A power-adjustable driver’s seat is standard. Top trims 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). The new Nightshade Edition XLE brings a black interior with silver accents.

An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, and setup with dual 12.3-inch displays is optional.

Perhaps one of the best things about the Highlander Hybrid is that it doesn’t look like a hybrid. By that, we mean it has no weird lines or goofy traits that scream, “I’m a fuel miser!” Instead, it just looks like a Highlander. One that happens to save a lot of gas. It has a small “hybrid” emblem and blue-tinted Toyota logos on the front and back. Those are about the only tells. Otherwise, like the standard Highlander, this hybrid variant conveys a balance of handsomeness and ruggedness but never goes overboard. The Bronze Edition available last year – gold wheels and all – isn’t around for 2024, but a new Nightshade Edition is. This brings blacked-out wheels, grille, mirror caps, and rear badging.

Great fuel economy
It’s a big reason, if not the reason many shoppers buy a hybrid, and the Highlander Hybrid doesn’t disappoint. It’s rated to return 36 mpg in FWD and 35 mpg with AWD.

Power tailgate
All Highlander Hybrids have this feature as standard, and it’s even height adjustable. On XLE and higher trims, it has hands-free operation.

Wireless smartphone connectivity
Whether you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can use your phone without reaching for a cord.

Selectable drive modes
Scrolling through the drive modes of the Highlander Hybrid changes its personality. Normal and Eco modes are good for daily duties, Sport mode makes it feel more spry, and EV mode allows for electric-only driving at very low speeds for very short distances. Trail Mode improves the traction of the AWD system if so equipped.

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 2024 Highlander Hybrid has driving aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Dual 12.3-inch displays
These arrived last year in Limited and Platinum trims (optional in XLE). One controls infotainment functions, while the other is a digital driver display that can change with various driving modes.

The Highlander Hybrid uses a 4-cylinder gas engine mated to an electric motor. That combination makes 243 hp. FWD is standard, and AWD is optional. If you opt for AWD, it adds a second electric motor but doesn’t change this SUV’s horsepower output.

Every Highlander Hybrid uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. The Highlander Hybrid is less powerful but more fuel-efficient than its chief rival, the Ford Explorer Hybrid.

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. Toyota includes complimentary scheduled maintenance over the first two years or 25,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

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).