The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size SUV that is available in both gas and hybrid models. It comes standard with a 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 265 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid model gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
What is the Fuel Economy of the Toyota Highlander for 2023?
The fuel economy of the 2023 Toyota Highlander depends on the drivetrain and trim level. The base model with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 24 mpg. The all-wheel drive model gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 23 mpg.
The hybrid version of the Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 35 mpg.
Here is a table of the fuel economy for all 2023 Toyota Highlander models:
| Fuel Economy of the 2023 Highlander | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Levels | MPG | Gas Tank Size | Engine Specs | |
| Hybrid Platinum | 36 City, 35 Highway (FWD) – 35 City, 34 Highway (AWD) | 17.1 Gallons | 243 Horsepower, 2.5L Hybrid 4-cylinder | |
| Platinum | 21 City, 29 Highway (FWD) – 20 City, 27 Highway (AWD) | 17.9 Gallons | 295 Horsepower, 3.5L V6 | |
| Hybrid Limited | 36 City, 35 Highway (FWD) – 35 City, 34 Highway (AWD) | 17.1 Gallons | 243 Horsepower, 2.5L Hybrid 4-cylinder | |
| Limited | 21 City, 29 Highway (FWD) – 20 City, 27 Highway (AWD) | 17.9 Gallons | 295 Horsepower, 3.5L V6 | |
| Bronze Edition | 36 City, 35 Highway (FWD) – 35 City, 35 Highway (AWD) | 17.1 Gallons | 243 Horsepower, 2.5L Hybrid 4-cylinder | |
| XSE | 21 City, 29 Highway (FWD) – 20 City, 27 Highway (AWD) | 17.9 Gallons | 295 Horsepower, 3.5L V6 | |
| Hybrid XLE | 36 City, 35 Highway (FWD) – 35 City, 35 Highway (AWD) | 17.1 Gallons | 243 Horsepower, 2.5L Hybrid 4-cylinder | |
| XLE | 21 City, 29 Highway (FWD) – 20 City, 27 Highway (AWD) | 17.9 Gallons | 295 Horsepower, 3.5L V6 | |
| Hybrid LE | 36 City, 35 Highway (FWD) – 35 City, 35 Highway (AWD) | 17.1 Gallons | 243 Horsepower, 2.5L Hybrid 4-cylinder | |
| LE | 21 City, 29 Highway (FWD) – 20 City, 27 Highway (AWD) | 17.9 Gallons | 295 Horsepower, 3.5L V6 | |
Toyota Highlander Competitors Fuel Economy
This is slightly above average for the mid-size SUV class. Some of the Highlander’s competitors with better fuel economy include the Honda Pilot (25 mpg city/33 mpg hwy), the Kia Telluride (20 mpg city/26 mpg hwy), and the Hyundai Palisade (19 mpg city/26 mpg hwy).
Here is a table comparing the fuel economy of the Toyota Highlander to some of its competitors:
| Vehicle | City MPG | Highway MPG |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander | 20 | 27 |
| Honda Pilot | 25 | 33 |
| Kia Telluride | 20 | 26 |
| Hyundai Palisade | 19 | 26 |
As you can see, the Toyota Highlander has slightly worse fuel economy than the Honda Pilot and Kia Telluride, but it is about the same as the Hyundai Palisade. If fuel economy is a top priority for you, you may want to consider one of these other models.
However, it is important to note that the Toyota Highlander offers a hybrid option, which can significantly improve fuel economy. The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size SUVs on the market.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2023 Toyota Highlander:
- What are the engine options for the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander is available with two engine options: a 3.5L V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, or a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce 243 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.
- What are the fuel economy estimates for the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with the V6 engine. The hybrid powertrain gets an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
- What are the safety features of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander comes standard with a variety of safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. The Highlander also comes standard with eight airbags, including side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats.
- What are the technology features of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander comes standard with a 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration. Available features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a JBL audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.
- What are the prices for the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The 2023 Toyota Highlander starts at $35,075 for the LE trim level. The XLE trim level starts at $38,275, the Limited trim level starts at $43,775, the Platinum trim level starts at $50,575, and the top-of-the-line XSE trim level starts at $53,275.
- What are the pros and cons of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
Pros:
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Powerful and fuel-efficient engine options
- Long list of standard safety features
- Advanced technology features
Cons:
- No third-row sunroof
- Steep price tag for some trim levels
- Touchscreen infotainment system can be slow to respond