2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review
2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+179
Used Highlander Hybrid for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
- Impressive fuel economy for a three-row crossover
- Just-right size for many families
- Standard accident-avoidance tech adds peace of mind
- Quiet and compliant ride
Cons
- Third-row seat isn't as roomy as those of many competitors
- Touchscreen and other controls require a long reach
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto not available
What's new
- Only minor exterior-trim styling changes for 2019
- Part of the third Highlander generation introduced for 2014
The concept of the 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is pretty straightforward. Take a quiet, comfortable and roomy three-row crossover SUV, add a battery pack and electric power for increased fuel efficiency, and — with a John Madden "boom!" — you get a hybrid version of one of America's most popular three-row crossovers.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$150/mo for Highlander Hybrid LE
Highlander Hybrid LE
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Like the standard model, the Highlander Hybrid comes with a generous features set, including advanced driver safety aids such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The cabin's spaciousness also extends to total cargo capacity, which isn't compromised by the battery pack (as in some hybrids) and doesn't force a choice between utility and fuel efficiency.
The most significant difference between the two versions is the Highlander Hybrid's powertrain. While the standard model offers a choice of four- or six-cylinder engine, the hybrid comes exclusively with a V6 paired with electric motors. The combination makes 306 horsepower and delivers 28 or 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA. All-wheel drive is standard, too. A regular AWD Highlander posts about 22 mpg.
If high fuel economy and utility are priorities, the Highlander Hybrid is an obvious pick, not least for its capabilities. While the Highlander Hybrid does cost a little more than a comparable regular Highlander, it also happens to be one of the only three-row hybrid crossovers that don't wear a luxury badge or have the attached luxury price.
Notably, we picked the 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as one of Edmunds' Best Gas Mileage SUVs for this year.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.0 / 10Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (3.5L V6 hybrid | CVT automatic | AWD).
Scorecard
Overall | 7.0 / 10 |
Driving | 7.0 |
Comfort | 8.0 |
Interior | 7.5 |
Utility | 6.5 |
Technology | 6.5 |
Driving
7.0A stout V6 engine backed with electric power underpins an SUV with surprisingly good handling, towing and off-road capabilities. It's fairly nimble for a vehicle of this size, though it's not sport-oriented. There's also a robust complement of capability for rougher roads.
Acceleration
7.5The Highlander Hybrid responds quickly to pedal pressure when accelerating modestly. Full throttle unfurls a near-endless racket as the engine races due to the continuously variable automatic transmission. In our testing, we measured a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds, which is average for a three-row SUV.
Braking
6.5Brake pedal effort is light and easy to use for regular stops or emergency braking. In panic stops, the SUV wanders and bobs from side to side. It's not very confidence-inspiring, but it behaves much better in routine stops.
Steering
7.0Not much feel can be discerned through the steering wheel, but it's well-weighted for a three-row SUV. There's a bit too much play around the center. Still, it's stable at highway speeds and exhibits low effort at low speeds such as when parking.
Handling
7.0The hybrid is surprisingly sporty for a 5,000-pound SUV and feels confident when bending into a turn. It can handle some speed into corners but only up to a point. The eco-oriented, all-season tires grip modestly, but few drivers will ever be inspired to take the Highlander to such limits anyway.
Drivability
6.0The Highlander Hybrid feels more maneuverable than many other three-row SUVs. You'll notice its bulk in smaller spaces, but it's near flawless on long, open roads. Most times the engine is quiet, and the CVT automatic seamlessly blends electric and gas power.
Off-road
7.5It doesn't have low-range gears, but a sophisticated AWD system, 8 inches of clearance, hill hold/descent control, and advantageous approach and departure angles give the Highlander admirable off-road capabilities for a unibody SUV.
Comfort
8.0Providing comfort is what the Highlander is best at. Its front seats are wide, and the ride is soft yet still maintains a tight driving feel. Excessive engine and wind noise creeps in, however. We expect better at this level.
Seat comfort
8.5The heated leather front seats feel like living room chairs. They are built for comfort whether you're going the distance or grinding through traffic. The second-row seats aren't quite as soft but offer extensive slide/recline range. The third row is good for kids; adults will do OK back there but not for long.
Ride comfort
8.5The Highlander Hybrid shines here. It's well-isolated from road rumble but still feels taut, without excessive up and down motions when driving over bumps. It shrugs off road rash and irregular surfaces to an impressive degree.
Noise & vibration
7.0It's pretty quiet at city street speeds, especially in those fleeting moments of EV mode (battery power only). At highway speeds, road and tire noise is well-suppressed, but you'll hear plenty of wind rushing over the windshield. The engine makes a racket under hard acceleration, however. A Lexus it's not.
Climate control
7.5The control layout is easy to understand. The system heats and cools the cabin with impressive speed, aided by rear ceiling vents and independent temp and fan speed controls for second-row passengers. The seats are also quick to heat and cool, but the seat cooling fans are noisy even at the lowest setting.
Interior
7.5Loads of room and easy access make the Highlander Hybrid ideal for owners who constantly shuffle people, cargo and child safety seats. Some ergonomic issues remain, and compromised visibility requires more attentive driving.
Ease of use
7.0Controls arrayed near the steering wheel are easy to find and use. Every automaker should copy Toyota's dead-simple cruise control stalk. But the long stretch required to reach often-used controls (tuning knob, touchscreen) is getting old. Thoughtful icons show how to fold and slide second-row seats easily.
Getting in/getting out
7.5The large doors and reasonable seat heights make for easy front- and middle-row entry. The second-row seats offer good slide travel and forward-folding for wide third-row access. Adults climbing in and out of the third row will need to be flexible, but kids shouldn't have a problem.
Driving position
7.5A wide range of seat adjustments and the telescoping steering column allow most people to find a spot that offers a commanding and confident view of the road and over the hood.
Roominess
8.0The cabin is big and accommodating where it matters. There is plenty of elbow room for the driver and front passenger and ample legroom for second-row riders. The third row is tighter but still livable for kids or short adults.
Visibility
6.5This is a big vehicle with a limited view out the rear corners. It's disappointing that blind-spot monitoring does not come standard on the base LE trim.
Quality
8.0Despite an aging interior design, the Highlander Hybrid has excellent fit and finish and consistently tight panel gaps and seams. The doors close with a hollow thump that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence.
Utility
6.5The Highlander Hybrid's mix of passenger space, cargo space and modest towing ability makes it a versatile all-arounder. The rear seats fold flat for maximum utility (and ideal car camping). Notably, the hybrid battery packaging doesn't affect cargo capacity; it's the same as in the standard Highlander.
Small-item storage
7.5The unique storage shelf built into the dashboard offers a resting place for phones and small items. It even offers a cord pass-through for charging cables. The massive deep center console is large enough to conceal a laptop or purse. The door pockets can accommodate most midsize bottles.
Cargo space
6.5Compared to rivals, the Highlander's 14 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third-row seats is a little stingy. The Honda Pilot and the VW Atlas offer more, for instance. But the 84 cubic feet of max cargo capacity is good enough for most cargo-hauling jobs.
Child safety seat accommodation
6.0The second-row LATCH anchors are easy to find and access. Top tether anchors are clearly marked midway down the second-row seatbacks. There are no lower anchors in the third-row seats, but there is a tether anchor in the seatback.
Towing
6.0A properly equipped Highlander Hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Note that the conventional gasoline-powered Highlander can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Technology
6.5The infotainment system is easy to use and navigate, but it's hindered by dated graphics and proprietary software that requires an app download for full use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are absent.
Audio & navigation
6.0The touchscreen user interface prioritizes function over form. Layout and menu structure are straightforward, but navigation looks like decades-old MapQuest graphics on a relatively low-res display (which tends to wash out in direct sunlight). The 12-speaker JBL audio system is pretty nice, however.
Smartphone integration
6.0A single USB port and dual charge-only ports keep the driver and front passengers happy, while rear passengers share three charge ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are notably absent. Entune smartphone integration requires an app, an account and Bluetooth pairing before use. It's cumbersome and unnecessary.
Driver aids
7.0You get an appealing set of standard safety features, including forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist. Given the Highlander's size and limited visibility, we prefer that the blind-spot warning and parking sensors weren't restricted to the upper trims.
Voice control
6.0Selecting the voice control button displays a list of phrases. The recognition software also recognizes natural speech, but it's not the best and often misses the mark with garbled translations. iPhone users are better off using Siri Eyes Free (accessed by a long push of steering wheel voice button).
Which Highlander Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?
Although the Highlander Hybrid comes well-equipped even at the LE base trim level, the midlevel XLE is worth the stretch. In addition to standard safety features, the XLE adds desirable features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, an upgraded 8.1-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, and a height-adjustable liftgate, among other items.
2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid models
The 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a three-row SUV available in LE, XLE, Limited and Limited Platinum trim levels. Depending on trim level, it seats seven or eight passengers.
Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with three electric motors, generating 306 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard.
Standard features on the base LE trim include 18-inch wheels, a windshield wiper de-icer, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure intervention, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a height-adjustable driver's seat, Bluetooth, a 6.1-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker sound system.
Moving up to the XLE adds foglights, a sunroof, a height-adjustable power liftgate, heated power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, second-row sunshades, upgraded interior materials, a second-row household-style power outlet, an 8.1-inch touchscreen, satellite and HD radio, and a navigation system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems also join the standard suite of safety systems.
The next step up is the Limited trim, which adds 19-inch wheels, LED running lights, rear parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats with perforated leather, driver-seat memory functions, second-row captain's chairs, a rear cargo cover, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. At the top of the range is the Limited Platinumwith a panoramic sunroof, automatic wipers, front parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera system, heated rear outboard seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The XLE and the Limited can be equipped with a rear-seat entertainment system.
Toyota Camry vs. Honda Accord vs. Hyundai Sonata: Hybrid Sedan Head-to-Head
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
5 star(69%)
4 star(7%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(11%)
1 star(4%)
26 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Ugotmesold
Ron Pope, 05/25/2019
2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
What’s everyone complaing about? Gas at over $3.50 a gallon be happy to get 24mph in town and 30 on Highway, I love this hybrid highlander, I agree 3rd row seat a it tight, my advice get smaller friends. I drive on average around 50 miles a day and maybe fill up about 3 times a month, no kindling!!! Sorry, I’ll stick to Toyota suv’s forever. 👍
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
Grim Meeper, 12/04/2019
2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Incredible gas mileage for an 7 passenger SUV. The panoramic moonroof is cool. Incredible amount of convenience technology and safety features. The little bit extra for the hybrid model is well worth it. Get the 2019 model before the redesign in 2020 reduces the horsepower. 2019 model has 306HP and get 29mpg.
5 out of 5 stars
30K and not a single problem
Steve D., 01/29/2019
2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
There are some folks complaining about fuel economy. It did take getting use to, here's my hints. Use cruise control as much as possible. It has a much lighter touch than us mere mortals. Also if highway driving at over 75 mph expect reduced economy. I do agree with road and wind noise complaints. But that is a small negative. Entune feature is a bit annoying at times. Navigation works … well for me. I use vehicle for work and always have a full load of weight on board.
1 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected
TREX, 01/22/2020
2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
I purchased this Highlander after driving a non hybrid Highlander for 5 years. The one I traded never had issues aside from needing a battery replacement. I have owned this SUV less than 3 weeks and less than 500 miles and it has already been in the shop 3 time. Leaking fuel, check engine light coming on and getting poor fuel economy. Toyota...this SUV is not living up to your … reputation! Help!
2019 Highlander Hybrid Highlights
LE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $37,520 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Hybrid |
Combined MPG | 29 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $150/month |
Seating | 8 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 13.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Highlander Hybrid models:
- Forward Collision Warning with Auto-Brake
- Detects other cars and pedestrians in front of you and automatically brakes to prevent collisions. It's a standard feature this year.
- Lane Departure Alert and Steering Assist
- Warns you if you're about to deviate from your lane and can even help steer. It's also standard this year.
- Driver Knee & Passenger Cushion Airbags
- Provides additional airbag protection. Not every competitor has these extra airbags for front occupants.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.9%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
4.8 average Rating out of 12 reviews. |
Starting at $45,020 |
3.8 average Rating out of 12 reviews. |
Starting at $39,270 |
4.3 average Rating out of 110 reviews. |
Starting at $29,500 |
Related Used 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Audi 100 2021
- Used BMW 7 Series 2011
- Used Toyota Prius Prime 2019
- Used Chevrolet Sonic 2016
- Used Porsche Taycan 2021
Shop similar models
- Used Toyota Grand-highlander-hybrid
- Used Toyota Rav4-hybrid
- Used Toyota Venza
- Used Mitsubishi Outlander-phev
- Used Toyota Corolla-cross-hybrid
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2010
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013 For Sale
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2011
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2012
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2014 For Sale
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2019
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2017
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2018
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2015
- Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2016
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 CT5
- 2023 Crosstrek
- Audi S4
- 2023 Subaru Outback
- 2023 X5
- Kia Niro Ev2023
- Titan Pickup Truck
- Nissanz
- 2023 Challenger
- GMC Sierra 2500 HD
Research other models of Toyota
- 2023 Toyota GR Supra
- Toyota Corolla Crosshybrid
- Toyota RAV4 2023
- 2023 Corolla
- 2023 Toyota T100
- 2023 BZ4X
- Toyota Corolla Cross 2023
- Toyota Prius 2023
- 2023 Toyota 4Runner
- 2023 Toyota Tacoma
Research similar vehicles
- MINI Countryman 2023
- 2023 Volvo S90
- 2024 Lexus NX
- 2023 Toyota Tundra
- Kia Sportage Plugin Hybrid
- 2024 TX
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2023
- 2024 Range Rover
- 2024 Mazda CX-90
- 2023 Panamera
Other models
- Used BMW 1-Series in North Wales, PA
- Used Ram 3500 in Morehead City, NC
- Used Chevrolet Cruze in San Ramon, CA
- Used Maserati Granturismo-Convertible in North Augusta, SC
- Used Volvo XC40 in Torrington, CT
- New Kia Niro-Plug-In-Hybrid for Sale in Chaska, MN
- Used Mazda Tribute in Waukesha, WI
- New Mercedes-Benz Glc-Class for Sale in Henderson, NV
- Used Fiat 500 in Capitol Heights, MD
- Used Ford Fusion-Energi in Taylors, SC