- Newest year: 2026
- Gas
- Hybrid
- Standard SUVs
2020-2026 Toyota Highlander MPG & Fuel Cost
7 model years · 23–36 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 7 of 10 standard SUV configurations, MY2026. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2020-2026 Toyota Highlander at a glance
The 2020-2026 Toyota Highlander covers 7 model years in the EPA database (38 configurations in all), rated 23–36 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2026, costs about $1,860 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Hybrid LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl AWD (35 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Powertrains over the years: gas and hybrid. EPA changed the ratings in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026; 2024 repeat the values of the year before. The best combined rating in the generation, 36 MPG, was reached in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
2020-2026 Toyota Highlander by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Gas, Hybrid | 24–35 MPG | $1,860–$2,750 | Ratings changed |
| 2025 | Gas, Hybrid | 24–35 MPG | $1,860–$2,750 | Ratings changed |
| 2024 | Gas, Hybrid | 24–36 MPG | $1,820–$2,750 | Same EPA ratings as 2023 |
| 2023 | Gas, Hybrid | 24–36 MPG | $1,820–$2,750 | Ratings changed |
| 2022 | Gas, Hybrid | 23–36 MPG | $1,820–$2,860 | Ratings changed |
| 2021 | Gas, Hybrid | 23–36 MPG | $1,820–$2,870 | Ratings changed |
| 2020 | Gas, Hybrid | 23–36 MPG | $1,820–$2,860 | First year |
What the 2026 Hybrid LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs to drive
Per month
$155
$1,860 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.10
Per 100 miles
$12.40
Five years
$9,300
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the standard SUV median
$1,250less a year
Class median $3,110 a year, MY2026
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2026 Toyota Highlander MPG
Versus 2025: The most efficient configuration stays at 35 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,860.
Gas configurations (1)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,750 |
Hybrid configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid LTD/PLAT (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,860 |
| Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 35 | 35 | $1,870 |
2025 Toyota Highlander MPG
24–35 MPG · $1,860–$2,750/yr
Versus 2024: The most efficient configuration moves from 36 to 35 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $1,820 to $1,860, $40 more.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2.4L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S8) (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,640 |
| Highlander 2.4L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S8) | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,750 |
| Highlander 2.4L 4-cyl turbo AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,750 |
Hybrid configurations (2)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid LTD/PLAT (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,860 |
| Hybrid | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 35 | 35 | $1,870 |
2024 Toyota Highlander MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2023
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2024 Toyota Highlander as for the 2023 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2023 section above.See 2023
2023 Toyota Highlander MPG
24–36 MPG · $1,820–$2,750/yr
Versus 2022: The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,820.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 2.4L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S8) (Most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,640 |
| Highlander 2.4L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S8) | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,750 |
| Highlander 2.4L 4-cyl turbo AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,750 |
Hybrid configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | $1,820 |
| Hybrid LTD/PLAT | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,860 |
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 35 | 35 | $1,870 |
2022 Toyota Highlander MPG
23–36 MPG · $1,820–$2,860/yr
Versus 2021: The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,820.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S8) (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,750 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S8) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,860 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,860 |
Hybrid configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | $1,820 |
| Hybrid LTD/PLAT | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,860 |
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 35 | 35 | $1,870 |
2021 Toyota Highlander MPG
23–36 MPG · $1,820–$2,870/yr
Versus 2020: The most efficient configuration stays at 36 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,820.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S8) (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,750 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S8) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,860 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,870 |
Hybrid configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | $1,820 |
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 35 | 35 | $1,870 |
| Hybrid LTD/PLAT | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,870 |
2020 Toyota Highlander MPG
23–36 MPG · $1,820–$2,860/yr
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S8) (Most efficient) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,750 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl FWD Automatic (S8) | 3.5L 6-cyl | FWD | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,860 |
| Highlander 3.5L 6-cyl AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,860 |
Hybrid configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl FWD (Most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | $1,820 |
| Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 35 | 35 | $1,870 |
| Hybrid LTD/PLAT | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | $1,870 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Hybrid LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl AWD: $2,540 in California and $1,630 in Texas, a $910 difference.
- California $2,540
- Washington $2,350
- New York $1,870
- Florida $1,760
- Texas $1,630
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2026 standard SUV models.
Generations
- 2001-2007 (XU20)
- 2008-2013 (XU40)
- 2014-2019 (XU50)
- 2020-2026 (XU70)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2020-2026 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA rates the 2020-2026 Toyota Highlander at 23–36 MPG combined across 38 configurations and 7 model years. The most efficient version, the 2024 Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 36 MPG (36 city, 35 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 23–25 MPG; Hybrid: 35–36 MPG.
Which years had the best MPG in the 2020-2026 Toyota Highlander?
The Hybrid 2.5L 4-cyl FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 36 MPG, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The lowest top rating, 35 MPG, was in 2025 and 2026.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2020-2026 Toyota Highlander?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 and 2026. In 2024 the values repeat the year before.
How does the 2020-2026 Toyota Highlander compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2014-2019 Toyota Highlander) is rated 20–29 MPG combined and costs $2,260–$3,200 a year to fuel; the 2020-2026 model is rated 23–36 MPG and costs $1,820–$2,870 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Toyota Highlander per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Hybrid LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs about $1,860 a year. Across all 3 configurations the cost runs $1,860–$2,750 a year. That is a $890 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2026 Toyota Highlander 100 miles?
About $12.40 per 100 miles for the Hybrid LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl AWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $12.40 and $18.33 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
How does the 2026 Toyota Highlander compare with other standard SUV configurations?
The Hybrid LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl AWD costs about $1,860 a year to fuel, $1,250 less than the class median of $3,110, and less than 7 of 10 standard SUV configurations. The comparison covers all 299 rated standard SUV configurations for MY2026, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2026 Toyota Highlander hybrid cheaper to fuel than the gas version?
Yes. The best hybrid (Hybrid LTD/PLAT 2.5L 4-cyl AWD) is rated 35 MPG against 24 MPG for the best gas version (Highlander 2.4L 4-cyl turbo AWD), 11 MPG more. At regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026) that is $1,860 versus $2,750 a year, a saving of $890.
Is the 2026 Toyota Highlander different from the 2025 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 35 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $1,860. EPA lists 3 configurations for 2026 against 5 configurations for 2025. See the 2025 Toyota Highlander for that year.