The Toyota Highlander does 24.4 mpg combined (22.9 city, 26.6 highway), which works out to about $1,574 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid does 35.7 mpg while 3L 6-cyl does 18 — a difference of $1,057 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Toyota Highlander engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid | 35.7 / 35 | 2020–2026 | $1,076 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl Hybrid | 28.3 / 28 | 2011–2019 | $1,357 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl Hybrid | 27.4 / 25 | 2006–2010 | $1,466 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 20 / 26.4 | 2001–2026 | $1,670 | |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 20 / 25.1 | 2009–2019 | $1,745 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19.2 / 25.8 | 2008–2022 | $1,778 | |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 17 / 23 | 2004–2007 | $2,021 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 21 | 2001–2003 | $2,133 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.131 |
| Fuel per year | $1,574 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,870 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$62 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,649 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.9 mpg | $1,677 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.6 mpg | $1,444 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +3.7 mpg (16%) | Typical for its type |
How the Highlander changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 / 31.5 | 2 | $1,302 | |
| 2025 | 28.5 / 32 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2024 | 29 / 32 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2023 | 29 / 32 | 2 | $1,259 | |
| 2022 | 28.5 / 32 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2021 | 28.5 / 32 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2020 | 28.5 / 32 | 2 | $1,280 | |
| 2019 | 23.3 / 26.3 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2018 | 23.3 / 26.3 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2017 | 23.3 / 26.3 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2016 | 22 / 26 | 3 | $1,620 | |
| 2015 | 22 / 26 | 3 | $1,620 | |
| 2014 | 22 / 26 | 3 | $1,620 | |
| 2013 | 22 / 25.7 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2012 | 22 / 25.7 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2011 | 22 / 25.7 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2010 | 21.7 / 25.3 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2009 | 21.7 / 25.3 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2008 | 22.5 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 21.3 / 24.3 | 3 | $1,722 | |
| 2006 | 21.3 / 24.3 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2005 | 18 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2004 | 18 / 24 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Toyota Highlander get?
24.4 mpg combined on average — 22.9 in the city and 26.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2001–2026.
How much does a Toyota Highlander cost in fuel per year?
About $1,574 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,870 over five years, or 0.131 dollars a mile.
Which Highlander engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid at 35.7 mpg, against 18 for the 3L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,057 a year.
Is the Highlander good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.