2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Price Range: $47,020 - $54,675

The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a decent pick if you're looking for a fuel-efficient family crossover. Its cramped third row remains one of its biggest sticking points. We prefer the longer Grand Highlander Hybrid, which has a spacious, adult-friendly back seat and doesn't cost much more.Read full review

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Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$47,620

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Prices based on sales in VA thru 11/3/25

Final assembly in USA

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

Pros

Comfortable ride
Airy and open cabin
Excellent fuel economy

Cons

Third row is tight, for kids only
Below-average cargo space behind third row
Engine sounds coarse and unrefined at full throttle

What's new

No major changes expected for 2026
Part of the fourth Highlander generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Written by automotive expert James Riswick

9/19/2025

Sandwiched between the compact Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the larger Grand Highlander Hybrid sits the 2026 Highlander Hybrid. Despite its midsize stature, the Highlander Hybrid packs in a third row of seats, adding to its appeal. But those seats are for occasional situations at best, and most adults will fight to avoid sitting back there. The 2026 Highlander could even be the final model year of this generation, and any enhancements are likely to be minor as Toyota preps the next iteration of this mega-popular SUV.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$103/mo

$170/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Edmunds spotlight: Efficiency first

SUVs, no matter how small, aren't known for their fuel efficiency. So it's definitely eye-catching when a midsize SUV gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving. As an added bonus, the hybrid version commands only a small premium over the non-hybrid version, so if you drive a lot, you'll more than make up the price difference in the first two years of ownership.

Competitors to consider

The Highlander Hybrid's strongest competition comes from its larger sibling, the Grand Highlander Hybrid. It offers similarly excellent fuel economy but features a larger and more comfortable third row of seats. Other midsize three-row SUVs include the Kia Sorento Hybrid and the recently redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

Good

6.3

out of 10

We drove the Toyota Highlander Hybrid on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

6.3/10

How does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid drive? Our test Highlander Hybrid accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. That's slower than pretty much any other non-hybrid three-row, though on average, it's only by about a second. On the bright side, power is readily available and smoothly delivered. The brakes give you consistently smooth stops.

Around turns, the Highlander Hybrid is not an athlete, but it's easy to drive and won't toss you around unduly. On straighter roads, the Highlander Hybrid's ride quality is plush. It smooths over most road imperfections yet remains controlled without feeling too floaty.

There's good visibility out of the front thanks to a low hood and narrow front pillars. Thick rear pillars and chunky rear headrests make it harder to see out of the back. The rearview camera is exceptionally low-quality for a modern vehicle.

Some driver aids, like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning, come standard, but you'll have to upgrade to a higher trim to get things like parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system. The Highlander's adaptive cruise reacts a bit too slowly, and the lane keeping feels reactive. Overall, the features offered are solid but could improve functionally.

Comfort

6/10

How comfortable is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid? The wide front seats are comfortable even on long drives, and the available second-row captain's chairs deliver nearly the same level of comfort. Alas, the third-row seats remain one of the standard Highlander's greatest liabilities. Thin padding, a low seat cushion and limited legroom make them a no-go for most adults.

At highway speeds, the Highlander is nicely insulated from wind, but road noise on the highway makes it difficult to listen to a podcast or have a conversation at typical volume. The gas engine sounds unrefined when you go full throttle, but otherwise it's not intrusive.

Ergonomically, the interior is a mixed bag. The steering wheel and climate controls are all intuitive, but the steering wheel doesn't offer a good range of adjustment. The driver's seat is also high in its lowest position, and your elbows will slide right off the door armrests.

Have small children? You can easily install a large rear-facing car seat in the second row thanks to the generous amount of movement of the captain's chairs. The car seat anchors are also easy to locate and access, though there are no anchors in the third row.

In-cabin tech

7.6/10

How’s the tech? The Highlander's display is sharp, and the system responds quickly to user inputs. High-level functions like radio and navigation are always present on the left rail, so even if you're using the standard wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you're never more than one click away from getting to the place you need. It's great to see an interface with such a thoughtful design.

The only thing we're not wowed by is the lack of power points. The front row features three USB ports and a wireless charging pad (the data port is, oddly, an old-school USB-A port), but there are only two ports in the second row and none in the rear. The Grand Highlander Hybrid has seven.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid pricing in Ashburn, VA

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Build & Price

Storage & cargo

6.1/10

How’s storage and cargo? The lack of three-row midsize hybrid competitors works to the Highlander's favor; three-row compact hybrids have less cargo space and non-hybrid midsize SUVs offer a lot more. However, Toyota also produces the longer Grand Highlander Hybrid, which is nearly the same vehicle, with up to 29% more cargo capacity.

In terms of in-cabin storage, there's decent space for your things, with a few useful shelves across the dash. Door pockets are also sizable.

Value

5.3/10

Is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good value? This Highlander generation dates back to 2020 and seems to be stuck as the rest of the segment advances. Top trim levels of the Highlander Hybrid can seem rather pricey considering what you get.

The Highlander uses high-quality synthetic leather on the door, center armrest, and the upper part of the dashboard. But there's also a ton of hard plastic everywhere, and the ratio of hard plastic increases as you move to the back rows. As an older vehicle, the Highlander also doesn't have the latest and greatest tech features, and moving up the trim ladder adds considerable cost without an abundance of added features. The related (and more versatile) Grand Highlander Hybrid represents a better value.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

MPG

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? Most versions of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid are rated at 35 mpg across the board (Limited and Platinum models have a 34 mpg highway rating). That's an 11-mpg improvement in the EPA's combined rating compared to the standard Highlander, and the improvement is most noticeable at city speeds, where the spread is 14 mpg. The Highlander Hybrid carries nearly the same fuel economy ratings as the Kia Sorento Hybrid and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, even though it's a larger vehicle. On our real-world evaluation route, we observed 33 mpg from our test vehicle. That's really good for a big three-row SUV, though it's slightly below the EPA estimates.

X factor

5/10

The Highlander Hybrid is one of the only electrified three-row midsize SUVs on sale today. And while its back row isn't outrageously useful, it does afford the Highlander some versatility if you want to shuttle all of your friends on a quick trip around town. However, the presence of the more spacious Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid takes a lot of the wind out of the standard Highlander's sails. The Grand Highlander has two hybrid powertrains to choose from, and its third-row space and cargo room are among the most generous in the segment. The price difference between similarly equipped Highlander and Grand Highlander hybrids is marginal, calling into question why the standard Highlander exists at all.

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim level differences

[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's Highlander Hybrid. We expect the 2025 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes in LE, XLE, Limited and range-topping Platinum trims. Eight-passenger seating, with a second-row bench, is standard on the LE trim. All others get standard second-row captain's chairs and seat seven passengers, although you can opt for a second-row bench seat for the XLE. All Highlander Hybrids have a four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system that combine to produce a total of 243 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard on all trims.

Which Highlander Hybrid trim does Edmunds recommend?

Toyota hasn't released official information on the 2026 Highlander Hybrid as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Highlander Hybrid, we would go with the XLE trim level. It has several key family-friendly upgrades over the base model: more easily cleaned synthetic leather upholstery, a power passenger seat, second-row window sunshades and a wireless phone charger just to name a few. You'd miss these features if you didn't have them.

Compare 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

31 reviews

5(68%)

4(6%)

3(13%)

2(6%)

1(7%)

See all 31 reviews of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2024 Highlander Hybrid Platinum in-Depth Review

Danno, 12/30/2023

2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

We've now owned our 2024 Highlander Hybrid Platinum for 4 weeks, and, so far, couldn't be happier! I was happy to discover that the regular Highlander Hybrid is still available (the Grand is too big for us). What we love: - The quiet all-electric drive under 20 mph - VERY PLEASED with the additional sound attenuation (acoustic noise-reducing front side windows) Toyota added. The loud … acceleration roar of the 2022 I test-drove is largely gone - The “Car” display option that shows how the energy flows, from the ICE and two electric motors to the batteries and wheels - The 12.3” main Display and the 12.3” digital instrument panel unique to the Platinum trim – with clear, sharp images that display useful trip, safety and navi information. The main screen menus are reasonably intuitive (even without a Home button) - The Cloud-based navigation now rivals Google Maps – although ETAs are initially inflated. After the free 12-mo. trial this requires a $15/mo. subscription; we’ll see if it’s worth keeping - The seamless, wireless switching from Android Auto (for me) and Apple CarPlay (for my wife), based on whose phone is detected - The improved location of the wireless charging tray in the center dash area (in the 2022 it was in an awkward lift-up tray in the center console). This has enabled removal of a windshield-mounted wireless charger that partially obstructed forward-left view - The ECO drive mode which emphasizes electric motor usage, most appropriate for our driving style (we’re both retired, drive about 11k miles a year, north and south, and certainly won’t need Trail or Sport modes) - MPG: The instrument panel showed 33.7 mpg after 800 mostly city miles. But then I drove 100 highway miles, and watched it drop to 32.0 – the opposite of a gas-only car. I estimate a fuel savings of about $3800 over 6 years of expected ownership (at forecasted fuel costs) - The Head-Up display! Never had this – find it helpful to see the speed limit, car speed, and Eco-indicator reflected at a focal point just beyond the windshield - Folding side mirrors -- also with blind-spot indicators, defoggers, turn signal lights, and auto backup adjusting. Should save us from unwanted parking lot encounters with people or cars - The fixed rail mount points shifted rearwards about 8”, making rear-loading of kayaks easier, and our Yakima crossbars still fit (though I did need new landing pads molded to fit the modified flush rails) - Several USB-C&A charging ports, forward and aft (my wife has wallet on the back of her iPhone, so wireless charging won’t work for her) - A slide-open, lighted center console storage compartment – easy to get at without lifting the armrest and helpful to find items that tend to get lost in the large space - The color! The exterior is a steel-blue “Moon Dust” and the interior is the same beige we like. We’re happy that we didn’t have to settle for dark colors in sunny Florida - A Consumer Reports score of 85 and a reliability rating of 75/100 – both the highest for 3-row midsize SUVs (CR gives you the best unbiased road test, reliability and owner satisfaction scores) What we’re mixed about: - Rear-window visibility is diminished by the smaller glass area due to the more streamlined roofline (side view mirrors and the 360-degree display view compensate for this) - The digital panoramic rear-view lever-activated mirror – while handy when the cargo area is loaded to the gills, the camera-fed display suffers from loss of depth-of-field, glare, and the dizzying constant motion of cars and scenery - The driver’s seat height adjustment doesn’t go as high – or maybe it’s that the hood is higher due to an extra hood hump on both driver and passenger sides. It was a noticeable when we initially got the car, but even my wife who is only 5’3” seems to be okay with the diminished road visibility - The HomeLink buttons have been moved to the rear-view mirror, but the new menu-driven programming requires a working remote – which we did not have! (Got a new remote and then it was a snap) - Automatic Profile switching to auto-adjust driver’s seat settings based on who is driving, doesn’t work (requires entering a passcode). No big deal, we just press our memory seat button on the door - Hands-free rear hatch opening: Car must be locked and foot must be swung quickly under the sensor on the left side of rear bumper. We probably won’t use this – it’s easier to just press the button under the handle, which works whether car is locked or not. - AWD: We don’t need this as this car never sees Winter snow. But it also adds a second electric motor in the rear. So, net-net it’s a plus, and as all 2024 Hybrids seem to come with AWD, we really had no choice - Somewhat higher step-up height and cargo platform (~2”?), to make more room for the hybrid’s batteries stored under the passenger compartment - The ambient lighting that added $449 to the price. It’s kind of cool and helpful at night, and has a separate app to change the colors, but I’m sure the cool factor will wear off quickly What we don’t like: - NO DISCOUNTS! The Hybrid, and especially the Platinum trim, still need to be special-ordered, and thus command MSRP, plus whatever add-ons your local distributor decides to install (we did get the dealer to remove the way over-priced $699 ToyoGuard Platinum (2 oil changes, 4 tire rotations in years 3-5, roadside and rental assistance which we get from AAA). Thankfully, gone is the $$$ upcharge that dealers were adding to MSRP during the post-Covid years - The pull-up cup holder between the second-row captain seats is replaced by a fixed plastic holder bolted to the chassis, losing the convenience of extra storage / passage space between the seats. I found a video on removing it and fashioned an all-weather cover for the bolt area by carving up the old cargo area matt - The cheap fabric carpeting that added $499 to the car price. But no worries, these are now covered and better protected with new WeatherTech “HP” mats (softer, more flexible upgrade from the ones in our 2018) - Gone is the “open rear windshield“ button when you just need to pop something small into an already full cargo area. Oh well, we’ll get used to this - Incomplete User Manuals: The car documentation comes only with a “short version” of the Owner’s Manual, and is missing the 300-page Mutlimedia Owner’s Manual. What’s the same as in our 2018: - The same comfortable, perforated leather, heated and ventilated seats - The same very handy under-dash storage bins we’ve loved for cellphone, keys, little miscellaneous stuff we want to keep accessible on long drives. Theres also a useful deeper tray forward of the gear shift next to the USB ports for little stuff - Rain-sensing wipers and auto-high beams (both only on the Platinum trim) - The same power panoramic moonroof (which we mainly use to let more light into the car or block the hot sun} - Same great JBL sound (11 speakers, with a woofer installed in a left side cargo area panel, in place of a storage nook). New tweeter speakers on the front dash pillars enhance high frequencies, helpful for hearing voices, both in music and on the phone - The same accurate dual and 2nd row Climate Control – though new dash controls require some relearning. All-in-all, we are delighted with our new car and highly recommend it to anyone with space needs similar to ours wanting to take a step toward greener driving.

very satisfying choice

Ghan, 04/05/2023

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

The Honda Odyssey with 200,000 miles in 9 years was a really good car. When the time came, I had to choose a new car, and I decided to buy a hybrid car. The reason for this is that the fuel efficiency is good, the engine operates only when necessary, so there is little noise, and as a result, the life of various parts is long, and I liked the fact that the brakes last a long time through …

It Is NOT All That

Bobbyg, 05/07/2024

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

First Toyota. It is noisy (wind and road noise), tinny and...Unless you subscribe (after one year) to their connected service...every time you get in the car..a MARKETING Screen pops up and says Experience Drive Connect. You CANNOT (I confirmed with Toyota Customer Service) get to the Toyota map (gee...I paid for that nav system and that large screen). You have to use Apple Car Play. …

My Second Highlander

J’s 2024. , 06/22/2024

2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I replaced my 2019 Highlander, gas 6 cylinder, with a 2024 Highlander Hybrid limited. Overall it seems better but I miss being to open just the back window. Also, I feel the seats were more comfortable the 2019. However the gas mileage is amazing. 36-40mpg on most trips compared to 17-24 on the 2019. It is nice on the highway and the engine noise is not that bad even if I need a …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, so we've included reviews for other years of the Highlander Hybrid since its last redesign.

Helpful shopping links

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid video

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Toyota Highlander: 3-Row Hybrid SUV Battle

NOTE: This video is about the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, but since the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has always been the go-to choice for shoppers looking for a midsize 3-row hybrid SUV, but it faces stiff competition in the way of the bold new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. In this comparison test video, Edmunds’ Clint Simone takes a deep dive into both SUVs, exploring their fuel economy, interiors, driving experiences, and value propositions to…

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Features & Specs

Trim:

XLE

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$47,020
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	35 MPG
Cost to Drive	$103/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls.

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 8 years / 100,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 10 years / 150,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 2 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 25,000 miles

Compare the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
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Safety

Key safety features on the Highlander Hybrid include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

FAQ

Is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 Highlander Hybrid both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.3 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 Highlander Hybrid gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 31 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Highlander Hybrid has 16.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Learn more

What's new in the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

No major changes expected for 2026
Part of the fourth Highlander generation introduced for 2020

Learn more

Is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

To determine whether the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Highlander Hybrid. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Highlander Hybrid's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 Highlander Hybrid and gave it a 6.3 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 Highlander Hybrid gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 31 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 Highlander Hybrid is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

The least-expensive 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $47,020.

Other versions include:

XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $47,020
Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $51,475
Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) which starts at $54,675

Learn more

What are the different models of Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

If you're interested in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the next question is, which Highlander Hybrid model is right for you? Highlander Hybrid variants include XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Limited 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT). For a full list of Highlander Hybrid models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Pricing

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive

Edmunds spotlight: Efficiency first

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Save as much as $1,310 with Edmunds

Edmunds suggests you pay

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim level differences

Which Highlander Hybrid trim does Edmunds recommend?

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2024 Highlander Hybrid Platinum in-Depth Review

very satisfying choice

It Is NOT All That

My Second Highlander

Helpful shopping links

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid video

Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Toyota Highlander: 3-Row Hybrid SUV Battle

2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Features & Specs

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Compare the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the Highlander Hybrid include:

FAQ

Is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

What's new in the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Is the Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?

Is the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

What are the different models of Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Related 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid info

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