The 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a safe, reliable and efficient SUV that is perfect for families. It has plenty of space for passengers and cargo, and the hybrid powertrain makes it very fuel-efficient. The Highlander is also very comfortable and composed on the road, making it a great choice for long road trips.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid review

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is hard to beat in 3-row hybrid SUVs. The regular Highlander (reviewed independently) is already a top family-friendly vehicle with a cosy 3-row interior, plenty of standard feature image, and an IIHS Best Safety Pick+ award.

2023 Highlander Hybrid takes all of these great features and includes an efficient hybrid powertrain with impressive fuel efficiency at 36 cities and 35 highway miles per gallon.

The closest competitor to the Highlander Hybrid can be found in the Ford Explorer Hybrid, which is more expensive and less efficient than Toyota. The Highlander is, without a doubt, the best choice for value compared to the Explorer.

A second option is the less expensive and more reliable Kia Sorento Hybrid, but it’s smaller and less accommodating for families than the Highlander Hybrid.

Pros

• Outstanding fuel economy
• A variety of safety features
• IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Cons

• Price of the base

What’s New?

• 12.3-inch screen in Bronze Edition
• Mirrors that fold up and fold down on the top trims
• Contoured lines display and Chiseled shape

1. What We Think

The Highlander Hybrid is an easy SUV to enjoy. The fuel economy is excellent, and a range of 600 miles implies you’ll never have to stop for gas.

Additionally, it won’t suffer from a less responsive brake or have a smaller interior than the gasoline-only version. However, while the hybrid engine is a breeze around town, it may appear to be a bit weak and loud when you’re using its full performance.

We’ve been raving about the Flexible Interior and high-quality interior materials in the higher versions of Toyota’s three-row, which is valid for the hybrid. There’s plenty of cargo space and passenger space in the two rows that are first; however, don’t count on everyone else than youngsters to feel at ease in the back.

Additionally, the availability of a larger touchscreen will make these models more secure for many years to come. The electric Highlander provides a viable alternative to the gas-powered Highlander.

2. Performance and Efficiency

While the standard Highlander has a brand new engine in 2023, the Highlander Hybrid carries over with the same engine it’s used since the model year.

This is naturally a 2.5-litre inline-four engine that works with two electric motors. With the aid of a CVT auto hybrid, the total output of 243 horsepower is set to FWD and AWD.

In our test of the Platinum version, the Highlander hit sixty mph in 8.4 seconds, which is a full second faster than a non-hybrid Highlander. Ratings for fuel economy from 2022 are 35-36/34 35 mpg highway/city, and Highlander Hybrid can cover 598-616 miles before refilling.

3. Safety Ratings, Features and Driver-Assistance Features

The Highlander Hybrid is one of the safest SUVs that you can buy. It was awarded a top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and earned an NHTSA 5-star safety score overall.

Toyota also offers the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of safety features, including an adaptive cruise system, automated emergency braking, lane centering auto high beams, and detect speed limit signs, which are all included in the standard.

Except for the base model, all models have blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Emergency brakes are available for both the Limited as well as the Platinum. The 360-degree camera system is offered with the Limited and Standard Platinum.

In the Toyota method, it’s the Highlander comes with a standard set of driver assistance features. It comes with an adaptive cruise control feature, lane tracing assist, and automated emergency braking, including pedestrian detection and automated high-beam headlamps.

For more details about the Highlander’s crash tests, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Important security features include:

• Standard automated emergency brake with pedestrian detection
• Standard blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert
• Standard lane-departure warning, with assistance for keeping the lane

4. Cargo Space and Interior Room

The Highlander Hybrid has a good amount of room inside for cargo and passengers, in particular, if two of the passengers are less than the average. Toyota’s three-row hybrid offers more legroom in the second row than its rivals and has the smallest third-row space.

5. Technology

Highlander Hybrid Highlander Hybrid comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 7.0-inch dashboard display for the instrument panel.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the ability to have six speakers are all part of the setup. However, those who choose one of the Limited, Platinum, or Bronze Edition get a serious upgrade.

The touchscreen for the infotainment system increases to 12.3 inches, so the instrument cluster is digital, and buyers get mirroring wirelessly from their smartphones and the eleven-speaker JBL high-end audio setup.

Additionally, there’s The “Hey Toyota” digital assistant and dual Bluetooth device connectivity and cloud-based navigation.

6. What’s the Bronze Edition?

Toyota launched the Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition for the 2022 model year, and it will be available in 2023. Besides the bronze wheels, buyers will see bronze-coloured illuminated doorsills and highlights stitching across those “mid-century contemporary-themed” seats.

Bronze Edition Bronze Edition also gets a couple of convenience features that include the power liftgate with hands-free operation as well as a pair of 120-volt outlets and seven seats, with second-row captain’s chairs.

7. Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Toyota’s warranty policy is in line with the standard of the market. However, buyers receive two years of scheduled maintenance, a great benefit many rivals still need to provide. The electric Highlander has a hybrid-component warranty, which provides eight years or 100,000 miles.

Limited warranty for three years, or 36,000 miles.

• The powertrain warranty is valid for five years or the equivalent of 60,000 miles
• The hybrid-component warranty is valid for up to 100,000 miles or eight years.
• The maintenance service is included for up to two years, the equivalent of 25,000 miles

8. Pricing

Its 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $40,220. The most expensive Platinum trim is priced at $50,475, and several trims will make up the difference. All-wheel drive is available for choice for $1,600 on all trims but costs an additional $1,950 for the two top trims.

The Ford Explorer Hybrid’s closest competitor has an inflated price for its initial purchase; however, it’s priced similarly to the top trims of the Highlander Hybrid.

• Highlander Hybrid LE: $40,220 | Most Popular
• Highlander Hybrid XLE: $43,220
• Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition: $45,780
• Highlander Hybrid Limited: $47,475
• Highlander Hybrid Platinum: $50,475
• These are the manufacturer’s recommended retail price (MSRP) and do not include the $1,335 delivery cost of the factory-to-dealer.

Before purchasing a Highlander Hybrid, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to determine the amount you’ll need to spend. It is worth it.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid boasts strong resale potential, which could help you save dollars. The Toyota brand has been a regular recipient of the Best Resale Value Award for an affordable brand.

What’s New?

This Highlander Hybrid has some minor modifications for the 2023 model year. For instance, the Bronze Edition gains a 12.3-inch infotainment unit, while the top two trims can fold mirrors with power.

9. Toyota Highlander Hybrid models

Its 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes in five trim levels: the standard LE, the more popular XLE, the Limited, and the top-of-the-line Platinum. The brand-new Bronze Edition slots are right in the middle of XLE and the Limited trims. Up to Eight passengers are included in the LE trim (second-row bench).

Second-row captain’s chairs provide seating for seven people and are included on the XLE trim (a second-row bench is available). There are three trims: the Bronze Edition, Limited and Platinum trims come with captain’s chairs for the second row.

Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine coupled with a hybrid system that includes an electronically controlled transmission (eCVT).

The system’s total output is the equivalent of 243 horsepower (total torque is not stated). This three-row hybrid is available with the front- or all-wheel-drive at every trim of the model. Highlights of every trim include:

LE

Begin by reading:

• 18-inch wheels
• Foglights, LEDs and headlights
• Entry and ignition via keyless keys
• Power liftgate
• Three-zone climate control
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Six-speaker audio system
• Eight-way adjustable driver’s seat with power.
• 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster Toyota audio multimedia touchscreen
• Five USB ports
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• Amazon Alexa compatibility
• Satellite radio

Each Highlander Hybrid also comes standard with these cutting-edge driver aids:

• System for keeping lane (makes minor steering adjustments to ensure that the vehicle stays on the same axis)
• Control of cruise speed with adaptive features (maintains the distance set by the driver in between Toyota as well as the vehicle in the front)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you about the possibility of collision and applies brakes when certain situations occur)
• Blind-spot monitor that includes a lane departure alert (warns you that a vehicle is within your blind spot during the lane change or in reverse)
• Road sign assist
• Automatic high beam aid

XLE

Adds more upscale features, including:

• Sunroof
• Roof rails
• Front seats with heated heating
• Simulated leather upholstery
• 10-way power-adjustable driver’s chair with 10-way power adjustment
• Eight-way power-adjustable, adjustable passenger’s seat
• Lumbar adjustment on the driver’s seat
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Wireless charging for smartphones pad
• 7-inch digital instrument cluster display
• Sunshades for windows in the second row

Bronze Edition

• This Bronze Edition trim builds off the XLE trim and includes:
• 18-inch bronze-colored wheels
• Bronze doorsills with illumination
• Bronze accents for exterior and interior.
• Unique graphite-colored seats
• Interior stitching in bronze

Limited

It includes features of the XLE and includes following features:

• 20-inch wheels
• Parking sensors for the front and rear that have automatic brakes
• Liftgate hands-free
• Front seats that are heated and ventilated
• Leather upholstery
• 11-speaker JBL audio system
• Heated steering wheel
• Interior ambient lighting
• Navigation system
• Two 120-volt outlets

Platinum

The top-of-the-line Highlander Hybrid Platinum further adds:

• Headlights that are adaptive (swivel with the steering wheel to provide better lighting in curves)
• Automatic wipers
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rearview mirror with digital technology (allows one to look behind your Highlander even when the Highlander is full cargo space)
• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• Second-row seats that are heated
• A head-up-display of 10 inches (displays important information right in your view across the window)
• The 360-degree camera (gives you an up-to-date view of the Highlander and the surrounding area for difficult parking conditions)

The LE, Bronze Edition and Platinum trims don’t offer additional packages. Customers who purchase the XLE trim can add seats for the second row and an electronic navigation system. The Limited trim is available with a package which includes the 12.3-inch touchscreen as well as the surround-view camera.

Read also:

• Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is Better? 2022
• Toyota Highlander vs 4runner: Which Is Better? 2022
• Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander: Which One Is the Better Choice?