Used 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is hard to beat in the niche category of 3-row hybrid SUVs. The standard Highlander (reviewed separately) is already an excellent family hauler with a comfortable 3-row interior, generous standard features, and the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. The Highlander Hybrid takes all of those good qualities and adds an efficient hybrid powertrain that returns outstanding fuel economy of 36 city/35 highway mpg.

The Highlander Hybrid’s closest rival is the Ford Explorer Hybrid, which is more expensive and less efficient than the Toyota. The Highlander is unquestionably the value choice between the two. Another option is the more affordable and efficient Kia Sorento Hybrid, but that’s smaller and less family-friendly than the Highlander Hybrid.

In our testing, we found the Toyota Highlander Hybrid to be a pleasant and agreeable SUV to drive. We noticed the engine gets a little noisy under hard acceleration, but that’s a forgivable flaw since you probably won’t be flooring it very often.

For better or worse, the Highlander Hybrid is an SUV that feels like a minivan from behind the wheel. If you prioritize comfort over sportiness, that’s not a bad thing. The acceleration is good enough for driving around town and passing on the highway.

Adding all-wheel drive (AWD) improves the all-season traction of the Highlander Hybrid. It’s a great upgrade if you live in a snowy climate, especially since it hardly comes with any fuel economy penalty compared to the front-wheel-drive (FWD) model.

The inside of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid reflects its personality as a practical and comfortable family SUV. Desirable available features you get in the upper trims include a 12.3-inch infotainment system, a panoramic sunroof, and leather seats.

The first two rows of seats are plenty spacious, but the third row is best reserved for the smaller among us. Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on all but the base LE trim, making the second row more comfortable and the third row easier to access. With a second-row bench seat, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid seats a total of 8 passengers. With second-row captain’s seats, it seats 7.

The cargo space in the Highlander Hybrid is pretty good when all three rows of seats are in place. However, the more seats you can afford to fold down, the more cargo space you get. With all of the seats behind the first row folded down, this SUV has up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s more cargo space than most hybrid and electric SUVs, but some non-hybrid midsize SUVs this size have more cargo room.

The Toyota Highlander’s subtle exterior is nice to look at. It doesn’t exactly stand out in traffic, but that’s okay for a practical family SUV.

The look of the Highlander Hybrid can change a bit depending on which trim you choose. We like the Bronze Edition with its unique exterior accents like bronze-colored wheels, which you can’t get on the non-hybrid Highlander.

The size of the Highlander Hybrid is about average for a midsize SUV. Its dimensions are similar to the Kia Telluride and Honda Pilot. A couple of bigger and roomier rivals include the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas.

Efficient hybrid powertrain
The hybrid powertrain of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid makes it much more fuel-efficient than the average midsize SUV. It returns up to 36 city/35 highway mpg. Even with AWD, it gets 35 mpg both in the city and on the highway.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+
This safety tech suite comes standard on every Highlander Hybrid. It bundles desirable driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, etc.

3-row seating
The family-friendly interior of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes standard with 3-row seating for up to eight people. Second-row captain’s chairs are optional, which make the second row more comfortable and the third row easier to access.

Wireless smartphone connectivity
The 8-inch infotainment system and the optional 12.3-inch screen both come standard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Connect your phone to the screen in your car without taking it out of your pocket or purse.

Drive Mode Select
Scrolling through the drive modes of the Highlander Hybrid changes its personality. Normal and Eco modes are good for the daily drive, Sport mode makes it more fun to drive, EV mode allows for electric-only driving at low speeds, and Trail Mode improves the traction of the AWD system, if so equipped.

Bronze Edition
The stylish Bronze Edition is unique to the Highlander Hybrid; you can’t get the non-hybrid Highlander in this trim. It comes with some premium features like a 12.3-inch infotainment system plus bronze-colored wheels and interior accents.

The Highlander Hybrid’s power comes from a 4-cylinder gas engine mated to an electric motor. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional. If you opt for AWD, it adds a second electric motor, but it doesn’t change this SUV’s power or torque rating.

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

2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine + electric motor(s)
243 total horsepower
175 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 36/35 mpg (FWD), 35/35 mpg (AWD), 35/34 mpg (Limited/Platinum AWD)

More Highlander Hybrid fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

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.