Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 5 Facts for Buyers

Five Facts About the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid builds off the solid foundation of the regular Toyota Highlander, but it ups the ante with much better fuel economy. 

If you're considering the Highlander Hybrid over the regular one, Irwin Toyota in Laconia, NH, is here to help you decide with five important facts.

The Hybrid Highlander Pays For Itself

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a price range of $40,970 - $53,375, which is slightly more than the price range of $39,270 - $51,675 for the regular Highlander. If you're trying to attack the math on this one, the most compelling argument is that the Highlander Hybrid makes up to 12 MPG more than the regular Highlander. Considering the fairly narrow price gap between the two, the gas savings could easily cover the extra cost in a few years. After that, you'll continue to rake in the fuel savings.

Surprisingly Powerful and Composed

The three-row Highlander Hybrid for sale features the same powertrain as the RAV4 Hybrid, but Toyota has cranked up the power for the extra weight on the Highlander. This gives the larger SUV better acceleration while still offering excellent fuel economy. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is surprisingly composed around turns, but it's also easy to drive in general, with smooth braking and plenty of power when asked. Cabin noise is kept to a minimum so you can enjoy those long drives in peace.

Six Trims To Choose From

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes in six different trims, including the base LE, the LE Nightshade, the XLE, the XLE Nightshade, the Limited, and the top Platinum trim. The XLE trim tends to be the most popular, with a starting price of $44,985. It also comes with several features to justify the higher price versus the $42,505 starting price for the LE. These include heated front seats, a power-liftgate, wireless phone charging, and a sunroof.

Excellent Fuel Economy

As you might glean by now, the fuel economy of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is its main claim to fame. The top trims for the AWD models get up to 35 MPG combined. The FWD Highlander Hybrid gets up to 36 MPG combined. In real-world tests, most Highlander Hybrid models managed roughly 33 MPG combined. Those are excellent numbers for a big three-row SUV, and you won't find much else to compete with it.

Big Strides in Tech

Toyota tends to be slower than other automakers in adopting all the latest tech, but the latest Highlander Hybrid changes that with some upgrades. An eight-inch touchscreen is standard, but the available 12.3-inch touchscreen is commendably huge. It's quick to respond and features sharp, clear graphics. All Highlander Hybrid models also come standard with a long list of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.