Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG

By: Kara Gilmour
Staff Writer
Published: Jul 15, 2009

Toyota Increases Fuel Economy For Highlander Hybrid SUV

The Toyota Highlander MPG rating is 27 in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The Toyota Highlander gets better mileage in the city because it relies more on the electric motors for propulsion at slower speeds. The base MSRP for the SUV is $34,700.

The Highlander was the first seven passenger vehicles in 2008. Toyota has also made some changes to fuel economy and designs for model years 2009 and 2010. The latest SUV is powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine delivers 270 horsepower combined with its electric motor.

There are two electric motors that join the powertrain, one in the front and one in the rear. Horsepower is meted out by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that can send power to either the front or all four wheels. Remarkably, the Toyota SUV can go from zero to 60 mph in less than eight seconds.

Toyota Highlander owners have enjoyed great fuel economy with the new edition. The SUV can drive more than 600 miles on a single tank of gas. Operating the vehicle in all-wheel-drive will consume more fuel.

If you only drive the Highlander around town or light highway travel, you should be able to increase the fuel economy. The gas engine also recharges the battery pack automatically, keeping a steady charge to power the electric power. The transition from electric to running the gasoline engine is smooth and automatic.

The Toyota SUV is equipped with an instrument panel including an energy monitor and features to assist the driver in maximizing fuel economy. Activating an EV mode switch located on the front center console allows the driver to operate in electric-mode under certain conditions for a limited distance at low speeds, or in certain stop-and-go driving situations. The resulting benefit is reduced fuel consumption, emissions and noise.

The Highlander uses a Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack stored in a newly developed metal casing. It is located in the rear cargo area on the Toyota SUV. The casing includes 240 cells that can deliver 288 high voltage.

The new metal casing was designed to improve cooling and reduces loss of efficiency due to heat generation. The batteries also have a Monitoring Unit to manage discharge and recharging by the generator to keep charge levels constant while the vehicle is running. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG rating can increase depending on driving conditions.