Does The Toyota Highlander Hybrid AWD Really Get 35 MPG?

Three-row SUVs and crossovers offer families loads of flexibility and space. That’s great, until it’s time to fuel up. The all-wheel drive Toyota Highland Hybrid is rated by the EPA to get 35 miles per gallon in both city and highway driving. Does it? Tom Voelk takes a Bronze Edition model round trip from Seattle, WA to Bend, OR to see if it’s possible (and if it’s comfortable).

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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting). But really, all you need to know is in the videos.

00:00 Intro
1:15 Size
1:48 Third Row
2:15 Powertrain
3:12 Cargo Space
4:16 Driving Dynamics
6:32 Road Trip!
7:22 Comfort
8:08 Fuel Economy
9:13 AWD On Ice
9:47 Interior
11:05 Back Seat
11:44 Why Buy Bronze Edition?
12:33 Red Light Green Light
13:30 Summary
14:41 Epilogue
15:23 Fun Fact

Looking for a car that gets good gas mileage? Check out the Toyota Highlander Hybrid! In this video, we'll show you how the Highlander Hybrid bronze edition earns its "highlander" name, by getting up to 35 MPG on the highway.

If you're looking for a car that gets good gas mileage, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a great option! This hybrid car gets up to 35 MPG on the highway, which is great for drivers who live in big cities or drivers who travel a lot. So if you're looking for a car that gets good gas mileage, be sure to check out the Toyota Highlander Hybrid bronze edition!

[richardnwilson]

We have a 2022 XLE Toyota hybrid Highlander and in the summer we were getting 36 to 40 miles per gallon when traveling at 55 mph. We do Drive carefully! I love the car with two caveats. There are only two cup holders that are usable in the front which is extremely annoying. And the visibility out the back window is limiting in that the window is very high and if you're trying to back up an open utility trailer up you can't even see it through the back window. When pulling a 2000 lb teardrop trailer we were getting 25 miles per gallon which we feel is very good. The Hybrid drivetrain seems flawless with the exception of a bit of growling noise when accelerating hard. Overall we love it and really appreciate the extremely great fuel economy.

[markfeldman]

I have a2021 Highlander Limited hybrid with 45k on it already. Averaging just over 36mpg across all types of driving. This is the most reliable comfortable practical vehicle ever. Plenty of passenger space as I tote around three grandkids and all of their sports gear, bikes, etc. i drive it from New England to Florida each year on 3 tanks of gas(1500 miles). Incredibly comfortable and reliable.

[thomasj]

Brought a 2024 XLE nightshade hybrid and we love it. Best vehicle purchase we've made since 2013. Looking forward to taking it on the open road for the 4th. Thanks for the honest review.

[danieldecost]

2023 Highlander Hybrid Bronze edition here. Just about to hit 1k miles. Getting anywhere from 33 to 35Mpg on mine. Like any car it all comes down to how you drive and the conditions. Mostly highway driving for me. Love this car.

[dudefromlaveenaz]

Yeah true the highlander might be smaller that other in class competitors, but it's the only one I trust to last 10 years without major repairs.

[stevenmarquis]

Bought 2022 bronze edition highlander xle hybrid. I’m averaging 40-43 mpg 566 per tank. I invested sometime with u tube videos to get secret of good mpg. Came across one that used a pulse and glide method to maintain optimum battery in ev mode.
I’m well pleased with the Highlander

[todwitzel]

Thanks for another informative and well produced video. A few weeks ago I saw you on the main display floor at the Seattle Auto Show. I was hoping to thank you for all the fantastic content in person, but it seemed you were busy working with a specific individual touring the show. It would be great to have a fun fact about how you experience a major automotive event like the SAS as a professional content producer. Keep up the great work!

[MMPCTV]

Thanks for the review. I purchased a 2021 RAV4 XSE Hybrid and it's a very good vehicle, but lots of noise at higher speeds. Seriously considered trading it in on a 2022 Highlander Hybrid but was concerned about MPG since 80% of my driving is in town.

[lpimnbo]

Our Highlander Hybrid with AWD, XLE, leather seats. Has plenty of power and acceleration. Often catch myself going 80mph on the interstates. Recent trip loaded with camping gear got 38.2 mpg not using EV mode(forgot).

[Jordan-weeu]

It’s always a good day when Tom posts a new video 😎

[bigbeartc]

I got a 2023 on NOVEMBER 10TH 2022 HYBRID HIGHLANDER Platinum.. "I LOVE IT!" I did change the gray seats to black leather covers. It looks great, white pearl exterior with black leather inside. I drive a lot at 40 in city but I do drive at 80 on highway. I fill up every 2 weeks.

[daves]

Thank you for the look at room in Highlander. I must be a throwback. When we had a full family in tow, it was a no-brainer to do a minivan. Kids go with sliding doors in parking lots and getting things in/out of the middle row is WAY easier.
I’d pick Sienna over HH in a heartbeat, esp since it can be had with same eAWD and the same/slightly better fuel eco (accd to EPA…) in AWD configuration. We still have and travel in our Odyssey even though kids seldom come along on our trips now. Comfortable, easy in/out, decent efficiency. Next one likely to be a Sienna. Thanks again!!

[knoxallbert]

Great video Tom. You showed the turn signals, and I can’t believe that they are halogen in a new car at this price! Why is Toyota only putting LEDs on higher trims?

[rfassis]

I have to say, I really like the vibe of your videos. Lots of info, very easy to listen to, great couple chemistry :) You got yourself a new subscriber, sir!

[rightlanehog]

Tom, 32-33 mpg at speeds over 70 mph is very impressive. The mpg pay off compared to V6 or Turbo competitors will be even better in stop and go driving on the way to the mall. Will you be in the City With Big Shoulders when the G-R-A-N-D Highlander makes it debut in February?

[bmohre]

Thanks. I’ve been looking for a thorough review of the Highlander hybrid. Love the design. It looks better in person.

[alliejr]

If you need space, the Sienna is MUCH larger inside with same powertrain and about the same MPG.

[richardmcree]

I just drove my 2019 Highlander from Richmond VA to Newport News, VA, about 7 miles. I set the cruise control to 69 MPH. When I got there I had gotten 30.7 MPG! Came home on the same tank and got 28.7; going uphill.

[mattstaller]

You’re missing a huge market of people who aren’t hauling babies around. But I can convert all the talk about cub scouts and strollers into what I plan to use it for. Thanks for the review.

[bobvanwest]

I bought my Bronze Edition, 2023 in November 2022. Our first trip was to East Tennessee from Northwest Alabama. We got a combined 39.8 MPG. Our next trip was to Orlando and got a combined 38 MPG. We do not use the 3rd seat, so that is down most of the time. Having the 3rd row up does help with small grocery runs. This is our 4th Highlander and the most comfortable of them all. It's amazing to see 580 miles to the next fill up. There is a lot of tech for sure. Driving around town, we do get an average of 35 MPG. The lane assist is not reliable with long turns. It is however much better than our 2018 LTA. We have the 12.3" Infortainment. The phone charger is in the cubby in front making it more accessible. I spent months testing just about every SUVs but in the end, I stuck with Toyota. I test drove the following: Silverrado (not really a contender but did it anyway). The RAV4 & Prime (not enough space and too low to the ground for us) Hyundai Tucson (space issues as well), Santa Fe (couldn't get the hybrid version in Alabama at the time. Also, it was smaller than the Highlander and less fuel economy in the hybrid system) Chevy Traverse (No Hybrid option, too long, very comfortable though) Hyundai Pallisade (No hybrid options, it was comfortable to drive and the panoramic sunroof was really nice). We went to the Texas State Fair in Dallas and saw the Bronze edition, which I will say looks much better in person than on a screen. We sat in it and talked to the Rep for a good 15 minutes and that's what sold me on the idea of a 4th Highlander. We have taken 2 trips to Orlando, 1 to Chattanooga and several trips to Huntsville. I am beyond pleased with one exception. We were only given 1 key fob and were told Toyota will contact us when the other fob is available. I am still learning all the ins and outs of the new SUV.