Overview & Reviews

The standard gas-powered Toyota Highlander has long enjoyed a reputation as an excellent midsize crossover with carlike drivability, SUV convenience and reasonable fuel consumption. The Highlander Hybrid model boasts the same credentials, but on top of that it also provides more power and even greater fuel economy. In many ways, it has been a segment leader since day one. It was the first hybrid SUV to offer all-wheel drive, seating for seven and more horsepower than its conventional gasoline variant.

Toyota has offered a hybrid version for every generation of the Highlander. Now in its third generation, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is larger, roomier and more upscale than ever before. But no matter which generation you're looking at, you can expect high levels of versatility, comfort, fuel economy and safety. It's an excellent option for car shoppers with an aversion to thirsty SUVs.

Current Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Debuting for 2014, the redesigned, third-generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid features more aggressive styling and a nicer interior design. A three-passenger third-row seat bumps maximum passenger capacity to seven, as the second row has a pair of captain's chairs. Its hybrid components are largely unchanged from the previous generation, however.

Power is provided by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, which along with three electric motors and a battery pack, produces a combined 280 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Fuel mileage is very impressive for a three-row crossover at an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined.

Trim levels consist of Limited and Limited Platinum. Highlights of the Limited include a sunroof, a power liftgate, keyless ignition and entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a back-up camera, Bluetooth, smartphone app integration and a premium audio system with satellite radio and an iPod/USB interface. The Limited Platinum adds a panoramic sunroof, automatic headlights, a heated steering wheel, heated second-row seats, Toyota's Safety Connect telematics, adaptive cruise control, a frontal collision mitigation system (with automatic braking) and a lane departure warning system.

In reviews, the newest Toyota Highlander Hybrid has earned high marks for its high fuel economy and upscale interior that's roomy enough for larger families. This three-row crossover also feels composed around turns, and the ride quality on the highway is smooth and very quiet. Although the 280-hp hybrid system is pretty punchy, there is a brief hesitation when you step on it, which makes the hybrid Highlander feel less responsive than the conventional Toyota Highlander. Price could also be a concern, as the hybrid is considerably more expensive than the regular Highlander. But if you can comfortably afford the Highlander Hybrid, it's an admirable all-around crossover that's bound to please.

Used Toyota Highlander Hybrid Models
The second-generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid was produced from 2008-'13. Compared to the original Highlander Hybrid, this one offered more interior room for passengers and cargo, as well as a more refined hybrid power system and standard all-wheel drive (previously there was a choice between front- and all-wheel drive).

Initially, this Highlander employed a 3.3-liter V6 that made 270 hp and was rated at an EPA-estimated 26 mpg rating in combined driving. A 3.5-liter V6 with 280 hp and a 28 mpg combined fuel economy rating debuted for 2011. That year the hybrid also received a minor styling update and a more versatile 50/50-split-folding third row of seats (replacing the previous one-piece bench). Toyota's Entune infotainment system with smartphone integration debuted in the 2013 model year, along with standard navigation.

This Highlander Hybrid was offered in base and Limited trim levels, and all versions came with all-wheel drive. Initially, the base model's highlights included a rearview camera, air-conditioning and a sliding and reclining 40/20/40-split second-row seat with a removable center section. The Limited trim added 19-inch wheels (versus 17-inch wheels), a power liftgate, a third-row seat and a power driver seat. Later years saw more standard features added to both trims. Highlights for the base version included Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity, the 50/50-split third-row seat and rear air-conditioning, while the Limited picked up a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, leather seating and heated front seats.

In reviews at the time, we observed that this second-generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered a desirable blend of performance and fuel economy along with a thoughtfully designed cabin. The reconfigurable second-row seats were a particular bonus. Potential downsides include a smallish third-row seat and a high price relative to the regular Highlander. Overall, though, this Highlander Hybrid remains a great all-around choice for a hybrid crossover SUV.

The first-generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid was built for just two years, 2006 and 2007, though it was based on the original Highlander that was introduced for 2001. Just like its gas-powered siblings, the hybrid Highlander was based on the Camry platform, giving it carlike drivability. Along with the significant fuel savings, the hybrid system kicked power output up to 268, adding almost 40 hp over the standard gas-only V6. While the hybrid's price of admission was quite a bit more than the standard Highlander, its miserly fuel consumption made the initial financial hit more bearable.

The extra weight of the hybrid system made handling a bit more sluggish than the conventional gasoline Highlander, but ride quality was still pretty smooth and comfortable on the hybrid version. And since it was quite a bit smaller than later generations of the Toyota Highlander, this first hybrid model was quite maneuverable in crowded parking lots, and in general, it felt more like a wagon than an SUV.

Two trim levels were available for the original Toyota Highlander Hybrid: standard and Limited. For a premium, the Limited version included foglights, steering-wheel-mounted controls for the upgraded JBL sound system, and some enhanced interior and exterior trim, including cabin wood-tone accents and a rear spoiler. A touchscreen navigation screen was available as an option on the Limited.

User Reviews:

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  Satisfied Consumer - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By SJC - December 7 - 9:00 am

  Ideal vehicle for blending the desire for a sporty seven passenger SUV with improved mileage. Was hesitant at first in purchasing a first model year vehicle but online research helped a great deal. Excellent handling in the snow and ice. Average MPG so far Highway 27-28, city 21-22 in the 15-35 degree F weather.

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  So far...So good - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Gus - November 11 - 7:56 pm

  I must say i like it a lot! Comfortable, easy to drive, and fun. The price is a little hefty... hoping to get a rebate back from Uncle Sam!! I cant believe its on sometimes! So quiet. The only complain is the sun-roof... Cant tell if its completelly closed all the way sometimes. Other than that, My family really likes it! Maybe I will buy the Lexus 400h also :).

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  Surprised by the quality - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Frank - October 28 - 7:53 am

  I just purchased my 2007 Highlander, and have had it for about a month now. Im blown away by the quality and ease of use of the navigation system and the overall feel of the Highlander. In the city Im averaging 29-31 mpg, with 27 mpg on the highway. Im not a lead foot by any means but It has much more power than I thought. I love my Highlander, and do not plan on letting it go before I put 100-200 thousand miles on it.

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  Good but not like the Prius - 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By sergelbergeron - October 19 - 11:32 am

  Just bought our new HH Limited 2011 before Christmas. So about 6 weeks ago. Drives very good - 8K millage just 9L/100KM which is not what the book says but I think that will come. I am disappointed in many of the interior design. We owned 2 Prius and many of the Steering controls that are in the Prius and found in the dash - a good stretch away from the driver. I find the Smart key - proximity is not as good and often doesnt catch if I am coming from the rear side of the vehicle. I have not found a lock button on the rear liftgate so I have to use my Smart Key or go to a side door. The sound system is excellent - the cargo space is good but small features are absent

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  Three months into a Highlander Hybrid - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Drew - October 10 - 9:43 pm

  My wife and I have 3 Toyotas; a Sienna, a convertible Solara and the Highlander. When we choose to drive a car we usually choose the Highlander; it is so cool to drive. Its technology is superb and leading edge. the battery helps drive the car if you are not accelerating, sometimes without the engine at all; you can idle forever and use NO gas; and you swoosh when you accelerate, since there is no gear shifting... something the salesman barely mentioned and seems to be a secret. And the intelligent 4 wheel drive is cool, you dont shift into it. If you need it, it goes into 4 wheel drive automatically. Probably no good for off road. Weve had it for 3 months now and love everything about it.

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  new car owner - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By S Hayes - October 7 - 6:03 pm

  I am very pleased with the on the road performance of this vehicle. While a V6 engine... it has more than enough power to get in and out of tight situations. Im not getting 31 mpg when using the air conditioning, however, if I turn it off I can squeeze 29.6 out of it. The Highlander could have a little more room for the driver (even in the height of the cab). Over all, it is an excellent maneuvering vehicle. Im glad I bought it!

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  ok - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Dave - September 14 - 4:56 pm

  I like the vehicle, so far, but I think the gas mileage is not what they advertised. Drives nice, handles fine, looks great, but well see on the gas consumption, still new

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  Terrific Vehicle - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Jane Faul - August 30 - 4:13 pm

  Owning this vehicle has brought me nothing but joy each time I have an excuse to drive it. It has plenty of power, surges with quick pick-up when needed, and is incredibly comfortable, smooth, and quiet. It has a perky appearance outside, thanks to its rear spoiler, and with its squared-off rear design, it provides more vertical interior hauling capacity than those vehicles with more slope. The rear spoiler seems to be a valuable feature, not only for appearance, but also for keeping the rear window clean while driving in traffic and rain. It handles easily and responds beautifully. It has plenty of room inside for four hefty adults in complete comfort.

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  Love the Car, not the mpg - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By tthelin - August 28 - 12:16 pm

  1) We dont get the fuel economy we had hoped. We do a lot of driving on rural roads and highways, so speeds or 45 to 80 are the normal range, and we average about 25.5 mpg long term. Even on the rare occasions when we use an entire tank of fuel while driving in the city at 35 mph or less we only get around 28 mpg or so. 2) We installed a trailer hitch, which was easy to do and cost less than $250. Around $150 for the hitch online, and $75 or so for the wiring jumper from Toyota. The Highlander Hybrid pulls a 3500 lb mgw trailer very well, even when fully loaded, but the fuel economy drops to around 15 mpg with the trailer. 3) We purchased an special treatment for the cloth seats, since we have kids, and it doesnt seem to have helped at all. The seats stain pretty easily, and we are to far from the dealer to bring it in for cleaning or to use the warranty we purchased. I wouldnt recommend it. We still like the cloth seats better than the leather seats, but we should have used the $500 buck or whatever we spent on the treatment to buy good seat covers. 4) We also purchased the Diamon Glass treatment. It didnt keep us from getting rock chips, although we did use the warranty to repair a couple of them. We have learned that most full coverage insurance will cover windshield repair anyway, so we could have saved the money on that treatment also. It also doesnt keep the water off any better than a good Rain-X treatment. 5) We were mystified by one electrical problem a year or so ago in which we started to experience a delay in the starting of the Hybrid System when you turned the key to start. At the same time we noticed we could not leave a door open, or a light on in the car for more than a few minutes with the car turned off, or the battery would die and the car wouldnt start. We lived with this for about a year, just being careful to not allow the battery to drain, and occaisionally having to use a jump battery(which I always carry for emergencies) to start it. The I finally decided to test the car battery, and found it going bad so we replaced it. the Hybrid is back to working like new now.

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  Careful of the Paint Job - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By nasoj1 - August 23 - 5:56 am

  I am mostly happy with the Hybrid. However the paint is beginning to blister in small areas the size of a pencil eraser. I have found that this type of paint problem has been found before with Toyota vehicles. I have had the SUV for about five months now and the dealer told me to contact Toyota USA to resolve the problem.