The Toyota Highlander Is The 3-Year-Old Hybrid With The Highest Driving Range

Hybrid vehicles have a reputation for maximizing fuel efficiency. They offer drivers the best of both worlds, combining the power of an internal combustion engine with some of the energy-saving benefits of an electric vehicle. One of the standout advantages of hybrids is their extended driving range, allowing motorists to travel farther on a single tank compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars. Japanese automakers have long been pioneers in hybrid technology, with brands like Toyota and Honda leading the charge.

According to EPA estimates, it delivers an astonishing 616 miles on a full tank. While many hybrids boast ranges of up to 450 miles or more, this SUV can travel from Mobile, Alabama, to Cleveland, Ohio, on one tank of gas. Unlike early hybrids, which were primarily compact and designed for urban commuting, this SUV proves that hybrid technology can thrive in larger vehicles that offer more capability. Thanks to a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor, it offers impressive towing capacity while providing seating for up to seven people.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Covers 616 Miles On A Full Tank

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a midsize three-row SUV that combines practicality with impressive fuel efficiency. It builds on the solid foundation of the regular Highlander while offering a hybrid powertrain that delivers up to 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient options in its class, especially for families needing extra seating. Courtesy of a 17.1-gallon fuel tank, the 2022 Highlander Hybrid can go up to 616 miles on a full tank in the FWD avatar, according to EPA estimates. Opt for the AWD and the overall range drops by 18 miles to 598 miles.

Under the hood, the Highlander Hybrid features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 horsepower. It comes in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, ensuring sure-footed versatility for different driving conditions. With plenty of room and a smooth and comfortable ride, it’s a great choice for long road trips.

2022 Highlander Hybrid EPA Estimates

Inside, the Highlander Hybrid offers a stylish and well-appointed cabin with seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. While the third-row seats are a bit cramped, the first two rows provide ample space and comfort. The SUV also comes with an intuitive infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of driver-assistance features.

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Impressive 3,500-Pound Tow Rating Is Better Than Most Midsize SUVs

Thanks to a combined 243 horsepower, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds with either the front or all-wheel drive powertrain. Total torque isn’t explicitly listed, but the 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine produces a respectable 175 pound-feet. The 3,500-pound tow rating is comparable to many midsize SUVs and better than most hybrid crossovers.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. Competition Towing Capacity

Performance isn’t bad either. Car and Driver tested the Highlander Hybrid and found it capable of 0-60 MPH sprints in around 7.3 seconds with a 118 MPH top speed. Equally impressive is the Highlander’s top gear passing times of 3.9 seconds from 30 to 50 mph and 5.2 seconds from 50 to 70 mph. Granted, it’s not fast enough to win a stoplight drag race against a Corvette or most EVs, but the Highlander can easily get out of its own way.

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Plenty Of Space For Families

Being a three-row SUV, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid features more than enough interior space for all of its occupants. Up front, you have 39.6 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom, with 59 inches of shoulder space. The second row benefits from a generous 39.4 inches of headroom and 41 inches of legroom, while the third row is limited to 37.2 inches of headroom and 33.5 inches of legroom, for a total passenger volume of 135 cubic feet.

Unless you’re under five feet tall, the rear seats are a penalty box best used for short distances. But even with all three rows in place, there are 16 cubic feet of cargo room, which is expandable by folding the second and third rows down. When you add up the space and the performance, it’s no wonder the 2022 Highlander Hybrid is one of the best SUVs in the midsize category.

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Fairly Loaded At This Price Point

Toyota offered the Highlander Hybrid in five different trim configurations, starting with the basic LE, which offers eight-passenger seating with a second-row bench. Next up is the XLE with features like SofTex-trimmed synthetic leather seats, a power tilt/slide moonroof, and 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels. It also offers captain’s chairs instead of a bench in the second row, seating seven passengers.

New for 2022 was the Bronze Edition, offering unique bronze accents, including 18-inch bronze-colored alloy wheels and bronze-colored seat stitching. Finally, you have the Limited and Platinum trims, which include features like:

• An 11-speaker JBL sound system
• Hands-free power liftgate
• Leather-trimmed front and second-row seats
• A 12.3-inch touchscreen display
• Power panoramic view moonroof

2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Pricing

These values are based on current estimated dealer prices based on a vehicle driven around 12,000 miles per year in clean condition. Prices will vary by vehicle condition, option packages, and location of the vehicle.

Annual Maintenance And Repair Costs

Maintenance and repair costs are an important consideration when buying a vehicle, and here’s where the 2022 Highlander Hybrid really shines. While the average retail price of a used Highlander may be higher than some of its rivals, the midsize SUV offers rock-solid reliability and low maintenance costs, which makes it one of the best values in its class.

According to Edmunds.com, the 2022 Highlander Hybrid has an expected maintenance and repair cost of $10,523 over five years. The maintenance costs include everything from oil changes, tires, and brakes, to major scheduled maintenance items. Repair costs include unexpected items like replacing a headlight bulb or investigating a check engine light. Like used vehicle prices, the cost of maintenance and repairs will vary based on the age, mileage, and condition of the vehicle, as well as where it’s serviced.

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The 2022 Highlander Hybrid Comes With Impressive Safety Features

Another area the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid excels is in safety. It earned both the NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Rating and the IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+. These ratings are based on the Highlander’s crashworthiness as well as its list of standard safety features, which include:

• Pre-Collision System With Pedestrian Detection
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert With Steering Assist
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Backup camera with projected path
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer

Also available is the Star Safety System that includes features like electronically controlled braking, enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution, and smart stop technology.

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Stress-Free Hybrid Ownership

It’s this combination of space, standard features, low ownership costs, and top safety ratings that make the Toyota Highlander Hybrid a great value proposition as far as used vehicles. The midsize SUV market is crowded with models, some of which are cheaper to buy, have more interior space, or are equipped with more standard features. But few midsize SUVs can match the Highlander’s all-around goodness.