2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

Name: 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Brand: Toyota

Price Range: $29,998 - $53,998

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition 4dr SUV Exterior

Good

7.8

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Updated tech and excellent fuel economy keep the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid competitive in the face of new competition. Its third row and cargo area may be on the smaller end, but a comfortable ride and plentiful standard features make it well worth a look.

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Average price: $40,615

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Appraise My 2023 Toyota

Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

Toyota Highlander Hybrid for Sale

Pros

High fuel economy for a three-row SUV
Sensibly priced compared to the non-hybrid Highlander
Comfortable ride
Plenty of standard and available safety features

Cons

Third-row seats are cramped
Not a whole lot of cargo space behind the third row
Engine sounds unrefined at full throttle

What's new

Limited, Platinum and Bronze Edition trims upgrade to a 12.3-inch touchscreen
A digital instrument panel is standard; power-folding mirrors debut on top trims
The XLE trim gains a power liftgate
Part of the fourth Highlander generation introduced for 2020

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Video Shorts

by Edmunds Test Team

Overview

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

11/8/2022

There are plenty of small SUVs with fuel-efficient hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrains, but what if you need something bigger? Three-row midsize SUVs deliver more capabilities and versatility, but there are only a handful of hybrids that qualify and the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is likely the best candidate for your needs.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

377 listings

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2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
XLE 4dr SUV
$31,999
great price
$2,002 below market
- 82,371 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 35 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- Supreme Motors (44 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Stafford, VA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
35 Combined MPG (35 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5TDKBRCH0PS134989
Stock: PS134989
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Price Drop
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Limited 4dr SUV
$34,995
good price
$1,726 below market
- 89,409 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 7 Seats, 35 City / 34 Hwy MPG
- Kargar Motors (19 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
BUYING A CAR HAS NEVER BEEN THIS EASY.We specialize in 100% GUARANTEED APPROVAL. BAD CREDIT, NO CREDIT, BANKRUPTCY, REPO, FORECLOSURE...NO PROBLEM. NO...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
35 Combined MPG (35 City/34 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5TDXBRCH0PS582400
Stock: KMM16958
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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The Highlander Hybrid is estimated to return up to 36 mpg in combined city and highway driving, beating the smaller Kia Sorento Hybrid and larger and more expensive Ford Explorer Hybrid. It's also sensibly priced compared to the non-hybrid Highlander, making it a smarter pick since you could conceivably recoup the added hybrid upfront costs within nine months and save as much as $900 in fuel costs every year after that.

The 2023 Highlander Hybrid holds an insurmountable advantage over the Kia Sorento and Ford Explorer hybrids, but it's not perfect. We cover the good, the not-so-good and every other topic that's important in our Expert Rating below. That said, if you're seeking a fuel-sipping three-row SUV, you should start your search with the Highlander Hybrid.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Jonathan Elfalan

Good

7.8

out of 10

We drove the 2023 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.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Highlander Hybrid drive? The three-row Highlander has the same hybrid powertrain as the RAV4 Hybrid, though Toyota juiced it up a bit to handle the added weight. Our test Highlander accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. That's certainly respectable considering some SUVs with V6s take as much time and are far less fuel-efficient. Emergency braking power is also on par.

Around turns, this hybrid is surprisingly composed. The Highlander Hybrid isn't as athletic as the hybrid version of the Ford Explorer, but handling isn't usually a strong selling point for three-row SUVs. What's more important is ease of driving, and the Highlander Hybrid nails it. Power is readily available and smoothly delivered, and the brakes are smooth and don't exhibit the grabbiness found in some other hybrids.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the Highlander Hybrid? The Highlander Hybrid's ride quality is plush. It smooths over most road imperfections yet remains controlled without much float at higher speeds. The wide front seats are pretty 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 Highlander's greatest liabilities. Thin padding, a very low seat cushion and limited legroom make them a no-go for most adults.

We like the Highlander's excellent climate control system. It's easy to use and can quickly heat or cool the cabin. At highway speeds, the Highlander is nicely insulated from wind and road noise. The gas engine sounds unrefined when you go full throttle, but otherwise it's not intrusive.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The first and second seating rows provide ample space. Unfortunately, the Highlander's third row is one of the most confining by midsize three-row SUV standards. If you're planning on regularly using the full passenger capacity, be sure it meets your needs first.

Adjusting the driver's seat is quick and easy, and there's ample range of adjustment. Tall drivers will likely want the steering wheel to telescope out a little more. Outward visibility, especially for a vehicle this size, is great. The windshield roof pillars are thin, helping you see around turns or in tight parking situations.

The Platinum trim, which is what we tested, also comes with some very useful features such as a camera-based rearview mirror that allows you to see out of the back even if you've fully loaded up the rear cargo area. There's also an available surround-view camera system. It has sharp resolution and can be rotated to look around the vehicle.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? In recent years, Toyota has trailed other manufacturers when it comes to tech. This latest Highlander Hybrid makes big strides in the right direction, but it still has some minor drawbacks. The optional 12.3-in touchscreen is huge (an 8-inch screen is standard) and it responds quickly to inputs. But its high-gloss surface makes it prone to reflections and smudges. Our Highlander Hybrid Platinum tester had five USB charge ports for the first and second rows but none for the third row.

All Highlanders come standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids. We like the natural operation of the adaptive cruise control, but we found the lane departure warning slightly too sensitive and the lane centering ineffective at highway speeds.

Storage

8/10

How’s the storage? Cargo space is a bit of a mixed bag with the Highlander Hybrid. Behind the third row, there's only 16 cubic feet of space, which is a bit less than what the Ford Explorer provides. Behind the second row, it expands to a better-than-average 48.4 cubic feet. The liftover height is about average for a midsize SUV.

There's decent space for your things, with a few useful shelves across the dash. If you have a phone charging on the wireless pad in the center bin, you have to remove it to access the space beneath. We didn't find it that cumbersome, but you might.

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

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The top trims for the all-wheel-drive Highlander Hybrid get an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined. Front-wheel-drive versions are a little more efficient at 36 mpg combined.

On our relatively traffic-free evaluation route, we traveled 115 miles at an efficiency of 33 mpg. That's really good for a big three-row SUV, though it's obviously slightly below the EPA estimates. It's still significantly more efficient than the AWD Ford Explorer Hybrid we tested (EPA estimate: 25 mpg combined), which returned 23.3 mpg on average.

Value

8/10

Is the Highlander Hybrid a good value? The Highlander's interior is solidly put together with soft, padded surfaces where they matter most. Toyota's hybrids have a track record for running long and strong, so odds are high this Highlander will serve you loyally. There's good value here, too, whether you're cross-shopping against a Ford Explorer Hybrid or even a regular gas-only Highlander.

Toyota's warranty coverage is pretty common for the class with three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and five years/60,000 miles for the powertrain. Hybrid components are covered for eight years/100,000 miles, and the hybrid battery for a generous 10 years/150,000 miles. The first two years of scheduled maintenance are also free.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The Highlander Hybrid isn't something we'd choose for a winding road but it's no less composed than the lighter, non-hybrid version of itself. It's something you'd look forward to taking a long trip in, though, and some might consider that fun.

The Highlander's new styling gives it a more aggressive vibe overall, but we're not sold on the bold details traveling down the side of the car. To us it looks overdone, but to each his or her own.

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim level differences

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes in these trim levels: the base LE, the XLE, Limited and the range-topping Platinum. The new Bronze Edition slots right in the middle between the XLE and Limited trims. Eight-passenger seating is standard on the LE trim (second-row bench). Second-row captain's chairs create seating for seven and are standard on the XLE (second-row bench is optional). The Bronze Edition, Limited and Platinum trims only come equipped with second-row captain's chairs. Compare the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim levels in-depth.

Which Highlander Hybrid trim does Edmunds recommend?

The XLE trim gets our recommendation in the Highlander lineup. For a reasonable price increase above the base LE, you get a lot of features such as a sunroof, power-adjustable and heated front seats, a wireless charging pad and rear sunshades. New for 2023, you also get a power liftgate. The front-wheel-drive model is a strong value, though if you live in a foul-weather region, you may want to upgrade to all-wheel drive.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$137/mo

$236/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Reliability

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 6 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

6 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 26V128000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 26TB06 / 2
Manufactured from:: 2021-03-31 to 2023-11-10
Number of vehicles affected:: 550007
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.
Defect Consequence:: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 20, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

Recall Number:: 25V744000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25TB13/25L
Manufactured from:: 2024-10-31 to 2025-05-07
Number of vehicles affected:: 1024407
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 16, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's number for this recall is WRE25.

Recall Number:: 25V040000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25TA02/25L
Number of vehicles affected:: 1716
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

Recall Number:: 24V548000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 24R2
Number of vehicles affected:: 33848
Defect Description:: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia Hybrid, Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Venza Hybrid, 2023-2025 Crown, and 2025 Camry Hybrid vehicles equipped with GST accessories. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Defect Consequence:: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.

Recall Number:: 23V720000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 23TB12 / 2
Number of vehicles affected:: 750795
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Defect Consequence:: A detached front bumper cover can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 11, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.

Recall Number:: 23V480000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 23TA08/ 23
Number of vehicles affected:: 152927
Defect Description:: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect Consequence:: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

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
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 2 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 25,000 miles

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

40 reviews

5(62%)

4(15%)

3(12%)

2(7%)

1(4%)

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2023 Highlander Hybrid Features & Specs

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$40,620
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	36 MPG
Cost to Drive	$137/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Highlander Hybrid models:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Warns of an approaching vehicle or pedestrian, providing additional braking force or applying the brakes automatically if necessary.
Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a driver-set distance between the Toyota and the car in front.
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Alerts the driver of possible unintended lane departures and can apply small corrective steering inputs to keep the vehicle in its lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.9%

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2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Video Shorts

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid trim level differences

Which Highlander Hybrid trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 Highlander Hybrid Features & Specs

Safety

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