- Newest year: 2013
- Gas
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
2008-2013 Toyota Highlander MPG & Fuel Cost
6 model years · 19–28 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 5 of 10 small SUV configurations, MY2013. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2008-2013 Toyota Highlander at a glance
The 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander covers 6 model years in the EPA database (23 configurations in all), rated 19–28 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2013, costs about $2,370 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl AWD (28 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and hybrid. EPA changed the ratings in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. The best combined rating in the generation, 28 MPG, was reached in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
2008-2013 Toyota Highlander by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Gas, Hybrid | 19–28 MPG | $2,370–$3,470 | Ratings changed |
| 2012 | Gas, Hybrid | 19–28 MPG | $2,370–$3,470 | Ratings changed |
| 2011 | Gas, Hybrid | 19–28 MPG | $2,360–$3,470 | Ratings changed |
| 2010 | Gas, Hybrid | 19–26 MPG | $2,510–$3,440 | Ratings changed |
| 2009 | Gas, Hybrid | 19–26 MPG | $2,510–$3,440 | Ratings changed |
| 2008 | Gas, Hybrid | 19–26 MPG | $2,510–$3,440 | First year |
What the 2013 Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$251
$3,010 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.02
Per 100 miles
$20.07
Five years
$15,050
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small SUV median
$40less a year
Class median $3,050 a year, MY2013
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2013 Toyota Highlander MPG
Versus 2012: The most efficient configuration stays at 28 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,370.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.7L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,010 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,230 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,470 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 28 | 28 | 28 | $2,370 |
2012 Toyota Highlander MPG
19–28 MPG · $2,370–$3,470/yr
Versus 2011: The most efficient configuration stays at 28 MPG. Its annual cost goes from $2,360 to $2,370, $10 more.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.7L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,010 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,230 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,470 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 28 | 28 | 28 | $2,370 |
2011 Toyota Highlander MPG
19–28 MPG · $2,360–$3,470/yr
Versus 2010: The most efficient configuration moves from 26 to 28 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $2,510 to $2,360, $150 less.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.7L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,010 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,230 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,470 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 28 | 28 | 28 | $2,360 |
2010 Toyota Highlander MPG
19–26 MPG · $2,510–$3,440/yr
Versus 2009: The most efficient configuration stays at 26 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,510.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.7L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 3.3L 6-cyl | AWD | 27 | 25 | 26 | $2,510 |
2009 Toyota Highlander MPG
19–26 MPG · $2,510–$3,440/yr
Versus 2008: The most efficient configuration stays at 26 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,510.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl (Most efficient) | 2.7L 4-cyl | FWD | 20 | 27 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 27 | 25 | 26 | $2,510 |
2008 Toyota Highlander MPG
19–26 MPG · $2,510–$3,440/yr
Gas configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,270 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,440 |
Hybrid configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid (Most efficient) | 3.3L 6-cyl | 4WD | 27 | 25 | 26 | $2,510 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl FWD: $4,090 in California and $2,630 in Texas, a $1,460 difference.
- California $4,090
- Washington $3,790
- New York $3,010
- Florida $2,840
- Texas $2,630
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2013 small SUV models.
Generations
- 2001-2007 (XU20)
- 2008-2013 (XU40)
- 2014-2019 (XU50)
- 2020-2026 (XU70)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA rates the 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander at 19–28 MPG combined across 23 configurations and 6 model years. The most efficient version, the 2013 Hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl AWD, is rated 28 MPG (28 city, 28 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 19–22 MPG; Hybrid: 26–28 MPG.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander?
The Hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl AWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 28 MPG, in 2011, 2012 and 2013. The lowest top rating, 26 MPG, was in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
How does the 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2001-2007 Toyota Highlander) is rated 18–27 MPG combined and costs $2,420–$3,630 a year to fuel; the 2008-2013 model is rated 19–28 MPG and costs $2,360–$3,470 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Toyota Highlander per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl FWD costs about $3,010 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,370–$3,470 a year. That is a $1,100 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2013 Toyota Highlander 100 miles?
About $20.07 per 100 miles for the Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $15.80 and $23.13 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
How does the 2013 Toyota Highlander compare with other small SUV configurations?
The Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl FWD costs about $3,010 a year to fuel, $40 less than the class median of $3,050, and less than 5 of 10 small SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 168 rated small SUV configurations for MY2013, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2013 Toyota Highlander hybrid cheaper to fuel than the gas version?
Yes. The best hybrid (Hybrid 3.5L 6-cyl AWD) is rated 28 MPG against 22 MPG for the best gas version (Highlander 2.7L 4-cyl FWD), 6 MPG more. At regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) that is $2,370 versus $3,010 a year, a saving of $640.
Is the 2013 Toyota Highlander different from the 2012 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 28 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,370. EPA lists 4 configurations for 2013 against 4 configurations for 2012. See the 2012 Toyota Highlander for that year.