2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

The concept of the 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is pretty straightforward. Take a quiet, comfortable and roomy three-row crossover SUV, add a battery pack and electric power for increased fuel efficiency, and — with a John Madden "boom!" — you get a hybrid version of one of America's most popular three-row crossovers.

Like the standard model, the Highlander Hybrid comes with a generous features set, including advanced driver safety aids such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The cabin's spaciousness also extends to total cargo capacity, which isn't compromised by the battery pack (as in some hybrids) and doesn't force a choice between utility and fuel efficiency.

The most significant difference between the two versions is the Highlander Hybrid's powertrain. While the standard model offers a choice of four- or six-cylinder engine, the hybrid comes exclusively with a V6 paired with electric motors. The combination makes 306 horsepower and delivers 28 or 29 mpg in combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA. All-wheel drive is standard, too. A regular AWD Highlander posts about 22 mpg.

If high fuel economy and utility are priorities, the Highlander Hybrid is an obvious pick, not least for its capabilities. While the Highlander Hybrid does cost a little more than a comparable regular Highlander, it also happens to be one of the only three-row hybrid crossovers that don't wear a luxury badge or have the attached luxury price.

Notably, we picked the 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as one of Edmunds' Best Gas Mileage SUVs for this year.