2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review
Price Range: $28,393 - $42,000





+220
Good
7.8
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
There are few options when it comes to midsize three-row hybrid SUVs. Luckily, Toyota just happens to make one that's really good. The 2020 Highlander Hybrid effectively starts with the solid foundation of the regular Highlander and simply adds excellent fuel economy. It's adequately quick and nimble, and it loses no passenger or cargo space compared to the regular Highlander. Its third-row seat is small by midsize SUV standards, but that's one of few drawbacks.
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- The Highlander is fully redesigned for 2020
- Hybrid now uses a four-cylinder instead of a V6
- A little less power than before, but better fuel economy
- Part of the fourth Highlander generation introduced for 2020
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.03 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$107/mo for Highlander Hybrid LE
Highlander Hybrid LE
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Toyota Highlander Hybrid Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(70%)
4(11%)
3(19%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Best MPG's of any full size SUV
5 out of 5 starsAlfonzo, 06/14/2020
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Vehicle: purchased new, 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid All Wheel Drive / Trim level "LE" (base model).
Plenty of power to climb hills and comfortable as well to drive and for passenger comfort. I tried it in all wheel drive (trail mode) on the Oregon Coast where you are allowed to drive on the beach in certain areas. Even in all wheel drive MPG in the sand for about 12 miles was 22 … MPG.
So far with with 2 documented fill ups at Costco (regular 87 octane with 10% Ethanol) our vehicle had consumed 11.113 gals of gas for 445.7 miles for an average of 40.1 MPG. With myself and fishing gear this vehicle weighs 4,700 lbs on Oregon Dept. of Transportation certified truck scale. With my wife and all our camping and fishing gear well over 5,000 lbs. No other full size SUV can compare to this vehicle.
Also you can tow a trailer up to 3,500 lbs as well, and the interior has the capacity for a total of 7 passengers and driver for a total of 8 people.
A Great Upgrade From A Prius!
5 out of 5 starsMark from Orlando, 04/29/2020
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
After nearly a decade of owning 2 different Prius models, I am very happy to say that that our new 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE is a welcome addition to our family.
Not only is it extremely comfortable, but the ride quality is an amazing experience. Quiet, comfortable and yet still great on gas mileage. We are approaching 40 miles per gallon on average and yet there is plenty of … power when we want or need it.
We chose the Moon Dust color and this with the redesigned body really swayed us to upgrade from another Prius to this model. We do not regret the decision at all. I will say this is a 5 star vehicle, especially if you want to save on gas, but need or want more room than a Prius can offer.
Great car, love it
5 out of 5 starsStu, 07/30/2020
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Just put the first thousand miles on my Highlander Hybrid Platinum and it is really something that the market is lacking, a bigger SUV with great gas mileage. First, I moved into this after driving a 2016 Outback for the last five year, another great car, but with both kids out of college I wanted something more upper end without spending 80 grand. The Platinum was just over $48,000 and … includes all the nice features, heated and cooled leather seats, panoramic sunroof, and 12 inch screen, Android Auto, etc, etc. I have been getting about 36 mpg, which is impressive for all the room it has. I don't use the small 3rd row, I wanted it for extra storage (golf clubs, cart, shoes), so the size wasn't a problem for me. It drives smooth, but not sporty. The Outback was more fun to drive, the Highlander is more smooth, quiet, and luxurious, which is more important to me these days.
The three driving modes are great and it has plenty of power going up mountain passes in Washington in sport mode, even normal, once around town and commuting on the freeway I keep it in eco, whish is more than enough power. Not a perfect vehicle, sunroof is huge, but only opens halfway, why? The lane assist can be annoying since it reads anything that might be a painted lane, so I just turn it off in cruise control, gas tank has to be nursed when filling for the last couple gallons, wants to turn off. Finally the 12 inch screen is great, but cannot be full screen, so it always has 2-3 things on it, that change could be coming with a simple software update, but it is not an efficient use of such a nice screen. JBL 11 speaker sound system is fantastic. Overall, I would recommend this car, really nice if you want luxury and smooth drive.
****9000 mile update
I continue to really enjoy this car, since there has not been any snow in the lowlands this winter, I cannot say how it drives in the snow, but in the mountains a couple of times, with Bridgestone Blizzak tires, it gripped well and the AWD seems to work seamlessly. Gas mileage in the winter is down, getting mostly 32-34 MPG driving in Normal mode. Find the brakes to be a little funky, especially when it drops from gas to battery at the same time I am slowing down, almost feels like the brakes don't work for a moment, but once you get used to it, it is no big deal. Leather seats are very comfortable, third row down makes for tons of rear storage. The Platinum provides all the features I would need and they all work nicely.
37-38 MPG in the summer, 32-24 in the winter, I can live with that for such a large SUV. With COVID, I only go into the office three times a week, so I only fill my tank, which costs about $30, every couple of weeks, amazing.
40,000 Update….. Still Great Ride and Happy
5 out of 5 starsHighlander Hybrid enthusiast, 05/09/2020
2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
We now have 18, 000 miles on vehicle and overall very happy with the Highlander Hybrid XLE AWD. We bought in 2020 as an upgrade from a 2016 Honda Odyssey and so far have been very happy with this purchase.
Highlander doesn't get the advertised 34/35 MPG.... best we can obtain in driving Eco mode is about 32-33 Highway going about 65 mph and fairly flat hills. In city driving with … some hills we get about 29-30 MPG and that's driving stop and go/ accelerating. So the MPG is not bad but hoped it would be better. If Toyota could make plug in Hybrid with like 50 mile EV range that would be great. I know Toyota is looking at all EV in 2025 (maybe). Not to keen on the looks of the Highlander to be honest. I like the older looking version more. It does look like a Subaru and doesn't have that SUV/Sporty look. However the ride is great. We have gone long distances (2,000 mile trips) and have been very comfortable. Seats are great and the pilot chairs in the second row are very comfortable as well. Third row bench seat for 3 is small but ok for kids and "small" adults for short trips. We also had installed a hitch for towing a 2500lb trailer which it did great.
Pros:
Smooth/comfortable ride
Good space inside cabin for family of 4.
Decent MPG for highway
Apple Car Play
CONS:
-Looks
-Third row bench seat is small but it does great for kids
** 40, 000 Mile Update**
Just updated this review on a separate one until I saw our old review. We were overseas for 4 years so have low miles. We’ve been driving for about 4months now and thought I would add update. Ride is still smooth and enjoy overall comfort and drive of this vehicle. Now 5 years old so tech has aged but we were used to driving much older vehicles in Japan. No major updates other than one negative. The driver and passenger seats are uncomfortable with the lower back rest. Both my wife and I have made this comment. Not sure why Toyota put that there but probably for lower back support.
2020 Highlander Hybrid Highlights
LE
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $38,200 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Hybrid |
Combined MPG | 36 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $107/month |
Seating | 8 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 16.0 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Highlander Hybrid models:
- Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection
- Warns of an approaching vehicle or pedestrian, providing additional braking force or applying the brakes automatically if necessary.
- Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Follows the vehicle ahead at a preset distance, with the ability to operate at low speeds or all the way up to 110 mph.
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Alerts the driver of possible unintended lane departures and can apply small corrective steering inputs to keep the vehicle in its lane.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover16.9%
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