Hybrid cars are known for saving fuel, but the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid proves you don’t have to give up space or comfort to get great mileage. It’s a midsize SUV that feels just right for families, road trips, or just daily driving. And what really makes it stand out? The fact that it can travel up to 616 miles on one tank of gas. That’s not a typo. This thing goes far — and doesn’t burn through your wallet doing it.
How Far Can It Go?
Let’s start with the numbers that matter. The Highlander Hybrid has a 17.1-gallon fuel tank. With up to 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, you’re looking at a total driving range of around 616 miles in the FWD version. If you go with AWD, it drops a little to 598 miles. But still — that’s a ton of ground covered without refueling.
| Trim Level | Drivetrain | City MPG | Hwy MPG | Combined MPG | Range (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LE | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | 616 miles |
| LE | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | 598 miles |
| XLE | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | 616 miles |
| XLE | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | 598 miles |
| Bronze Ed. | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | 616 miles |
| Bronze Ed. | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | 598 miles |
| Limited | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | 616 miles |
| Limited | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | 598 miles |
| Platinum | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 | 616 miles |
| Platinum | AWD | 35 | 34 | 35 | 598 miles |
Real-World Driving Experience
Now, EPA numbers are nice, but what about real life? One Highlander Hybrid owner said they took it on two long trips — one was 300 miles through snow and ice, and another was a 1000-mile round trip. In both cases, the SUV managed over 34 MPG. That’s really impressive for a vehicle this size. Plus, it handled the winter roads without any trouble, which makes it even more reliable in tough conditions.
Performance and Engine Specs
The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t feel like a weak hybrid. Under the hood, it’s got a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. Together, they produce 243 horsepower. It comes in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, so you can choose what works best for your needs.
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0-60 MPH in about 7.3 seconds
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Top speed around 118 MPH
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Smooth acceleration and decent passing power
It’s not a sports car, but it gets the job done. And honestly, that’s what most SUV buyers care about.
Towing Capacity Compared To Other Hybrids
The Highlander Hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds. That’s more than many other hybrid SUVs in the same size range.
| Model | Towing Capacity |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | 2,000 lbs |
| Kia Sorento Hybrid | 2,000 lbs |
| Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | 2,000 lbs |
| Kia Niro Hybrid | 2,866 lbs |
| Lexus RX 350h | 3,307 lbs |
| Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 3,500 lbs |
Interior Space and Comfort
The Highlander Hybrid fits 7 or 8 passengers depending on the trim. The first two rows are super comfortable, but yeah — the third row is a little tight. It’s fine for short trips or kids, but not ideal for full-grown adults on long drives. Cargo space is decent even with all rows up, and it really opens up if you fold the back seats down.
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Passenger volume: 135 cubic feet
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Cargo (behind 3rd row): 16 cubic feet
Trim Levels and Pricing
Toyota offered the 2022 Highlander Hybrid in several trims — LE, XLE, Bronze Edition, Limited, and Platinum. Here’s how the pricing and trade-in values look:
| Trim Level | MSRP | Market Value | Avg. Trade-In |
| LE | $39,555 | $31,495 | $28,319 |
| XLE | $41,555 | $37,966 | $34,440 |
| Bronze Edition | $44,080 | $39,622 | $32,662 |
| Limited | $45,510 | $40,084 | $36,763 |
| Platinum | $51,460 | $42,718 | $37,877 |
Maintenance and Ownership Costs
This SUV may cost more upfront, but it pays off with lower maintenance and repair bills. Over five years, you’re looking at around $10,500 total, which is honestly not bad for a midsize SUV. Plus, Toyota’s known for making reliable vehicles, so that helps with peace of mind.
| Year | Maintenance | Repairs | Total |
| 1 | $485 | $277 | $762 |
| 2 | $2,323 | $404 | $2,727 |
| 3 | $1,504 | $472 | $1,976 |
| 4 | $1,086 | $551 | $1,637 |
| 5 | $2,776 | $645 | $3,421 |
| Total | $8,174 | $2,349 | $10,523 |
Loaded With Safety Features
The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t mess around with safety either. It got a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard features include:
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Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
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Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
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Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist
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Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
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Automatic High Beams
Also includes Toyota’s Star Safety System, which helps with things like stability control, traction, and smart braking.
Final Thoughts
There’s no perfect SUV, but the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes pretty close for a lot of people. It’s not the cheapest, or the biggest, or the flashiest. But it does a bit of everything really well — long range, strong safety, reliable performance, and it won’t empty your wallet on gas or maintenance. If you want a no-drama hybrid that can fit the whole family and still get over 600 miles per tank, this one deserves a serious look.
Read detailed report over Topspeed.
