Toyota Highlander vs Chevrolet Traverse: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota Highlander is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,860 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT, 35 MPG combined), against $2,970 for the Chevrolet Traverse (Traverse, 22 MPG combined). That is $1,110 a year, or $5,550 over five years.

Both are classed as Standard SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Standard SUVs

Hybrid
Standard SUVs

Toyota Highlander

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$1,860

$12.40 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard SUVs

Gas
Standard SUVs

Chevrolet Traverse

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Traverse

Combined

City

Highway

Annual fuel cost

$2,970

$19.80 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

2 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

Toyota Highlander$1,860 a year · $12.40 per 100 mi
Chevrolet Traverse$2,970 a year · $19.80 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$1,110

Toyota Highlander costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$5,550

$1,110 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure	Toyota Highlander	Chevrolet Traverse
Lowest-cost configuration	Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT	Traverse
Powertrain	Hybrid	Gas
Combined rating	35 MPG (better)	22 MPG
City rating	35 MPG (better)	20 MPG
Highway rating	34 MPG (better)	26 MPG
Annual fuel cost	$1,860/yr (better)	$2,970/yr
Cost per 100 miles	$12.40 (better)	$19.80
Annual cost range, all configurations	$1,860–$2,750	$2,970–$3,110
Configurations in MY2026	3	2
EPA class	Standard SUVs	Standard SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse
Powertrain	Toyota Highlander	Chevrolet Traverse
Gas	24 MPG · $2,750/yr Highlander	22 MPG · $2,970/yr Traverse
Hybrid	35 MPG · $1,860/yr Highlander Hybrid LTD/PLAT	Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Toyota Highlander

Lower annual fuel cost: $1,860 vs $2,970
Higher combined rating: 35 MPG vs 22 MPG
Higher city rating: 35 MPG vs 20 MPG
Higher highway rating: 34 MPG vs 26 MPG
Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,750 vs $2,970
Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Chevrolet Traverse does not

Chevrolet Traverse

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse
Model year	Toyota Highlander		Chevrolet Traverse
Model year	Combined	Per year	Combined	Per year
2026	24–35 MPG	$1,860–$2,750	21–22 MPG	$2,970–$3,110
2025	24–35 MPG	$1,860–$2,750	21–23 MPG	$2,860–$3,120
2024	24–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,750	20–23 MPG	$2,860–$3,310
2023	24–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,750	20–21 MPG	$3,070–$3,220
2022	23–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,860	20–21 MPG	$3,070–$3,230
2021	23–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,870	20–21 MPG	$3,090–$3,230
2020	23–36 MPG	$1,820–$2,860	20–21 MPG	$3,090–$3,250
2019	22–29 MPG	$2,260–$3,030	20–22 MPG	$3,090–$3,650
2018	22–29 MPG	$2,260–$3,030	20–22 MPG	$3,050–$3,650
2017	22–29 MPG	$2,260–$3,030	17–18 MPG	$3,730–$3,810
2016	20–28 MPG	$2,320–$3,200	17–18 MPG	$3,720–$3,810
2015	20–28 MPG	$2,320–$3,200	19 MPG	$3,420–$3,500
2014	20–28 MPG	$2,320–$3,200	19 MPG	$3,420–$3,500
2013	19–28 MPG	$2,370–$3,470	19 MPG	$3,420–$3,500
2012	19–28 MPG	$2,370–$3,470	19 MPG	$3,420–$3,530
2011	19–28 MPG	$2,360–$3,470	19 MPG	$3,420–$3,530
2010	19–26 MPG	$2,510–$3,440	19 MPG	$3,440
2009	19–26 MPG	$2,510–$3,440	19 MPG	$3,440

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Highlander or the Chevrolet Traverse?

The Toyota Highlander is cheaper: about $1,860 a year against $2,970 for the Chevrolet Traverse, a difference of $1,110 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Toyota Highlander save over five years?

About $5,550 ($1,110 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Highlander or the Chevrolet Traverse?

The Toyota Highlander is rated 35 MPG combined against 22 MPG for the Chevrolet Traverse. City: 35 MPG vs 20 MPG. Highway: 34 MPG vs 26 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Toyota Highlander and the Chevrolet Traverse in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Standard SUVs.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles