{
 "slug": "toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023",
 "title": "Toyota Highlander MPG by Year: 2008–2023",
 "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/",
 "markdown": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023.md",
 "description": "EPA mpg for the Toyota Highlander every model year 2008–2023: V6 19–24, 4-cylinder 22–25, hybrid 26–36 combined, with the 2020 and 2023 changes.",
 "quickAnswer": "The Toyota Highlander's EPA combined mpg runs from 19 (2008 to 2013 V6 AWD) to 36 (2020 to 2023 Hybrid FWD). The gas V6 improved from 19–20 mpg in 2008 to 23–24 mpg by 2020. The hybrid went from 26 mpg (2008 to 2010) to 28–29 mpg (2011 to 2019) and then jumped to 35–36 mpg with the 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid in 2020. In 2023 the gas truck changed to a 2.4L turbo four rated 24 to 25 mpg. The newer 2024 to 2026 ratings are in the 2024–2026 mpg guide.",
 "platforms": [
  "Highlander"
 ],
 "category": "Maintenance & Problems",
 "author": "Rob Krause",
 "published": "2026-10-21T19:00:00Z",
 "updated": "2026-10-21T19:00:00Z",
 "sections": [
  {
   "heading": "2008–2013: V6 and the First Hybrid",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/#2008-2013-v6-and-the-first-hybrid"
  },
  {
   "heading": "2014–2019: Eight-Speed Gas, Hybrid Holds at 28–29",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/#2014-2019-eight-speed-gas-hybrid-holds-at-28-29"
  },
  {
   "heading": "2020–2023: New Generation",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/#2020-2023-new-generation"
  },
  {
   "heading": "What the Gas-Versus-Hybrid Gap Costs",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/#what-the-gas-versus-hybrid-gap-costs"
  },
  {
   "heading": "What the EPA Numbers Miss",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/#what-the-epa-numbers-miss"
  },
  {
   "heading": "Frequently Asked Questions",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/#frequently-asked-questions"
  },
  {
   "heading": "Related Guides",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-by-year-2008-2023/#related-guides"
  }
 ],
 "faqs": [
  {
   "q": "What is the best Highlander year for gas mileage?",
   "a": "The 2020 to 2023 Highlander Hybrid. It is rated 35 to 36 mpg combined, against 28 to 29 for the 2011 to 2019 hybrid."
  },
  {
   "q": "What mpg does the older Highlander V6 get?",
   "a": "19 to 20 mpg combined for the 2008 to 2013 V6, 20 to 22 for 2014 to 2016, and 22 to 23 for 2017 to 2019."
  },
  {
   "q": "How many mpg does the 2.7L four-cylinder Highlander get?",
   "a": "22 mpg combined from 2009 to 2019 in front-wheel drive. It was never offered with AWD."
  },
  {
   "q": "Did the Highlander Hybrid change in 2020?",
   "a": "Yes. It moved from a 3.5L V6 hybrid at 28 to 29 mpg to a 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid at 35 to 36 mpg combined."
  }
 ],
 "related": [
  {
   "title": "Toyota Highlander Complaints by Year: 2008–2023",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-complaints-by-year-2008-2023/"
  },
  {
   "title": "Toyota Highlander Recalls 2008–2023: Every Campaign",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-recalls-2008-2023/"
  },
  {
   "title": "Toyota Highlander MPG: Gas and Hybrid 2024–2026",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-gas-hybrid-2024-2026/"
  },
  {
   "title": "Toyota Highlander Problems: NHTSA Complaints 2024–2026",
   "url": "https://toyotadata.com/guides/toyota-highlander-problems-nhtsa-complaints/"
  }
 ],
 "content_markdown": "> QUICK ANSWER\n>\n> **The Toyota Highlander's EPA combined mpg runs from 19 (2008 to 2013 V6 AWD) to 36 (2020 to 2023 Hybrid FWD).** The gas V6 improved from **19–20 mpg** in 2008 to **23–24 mpg** by 2020. The hybrid went from **26 mpg** (2008 to 2010) to **28–29 mpg** (2011 to 2019) and then jumped to **35–36 mpg** with the 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid in **2020**. In 2023 the gas truck changed to a 2.4L turbo four rated 24 to 25 mpg. The newer 2024 to 2026 ratings are in the [2024–2026 mpg guide](/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-gas-hybrid-2024-2026/).\n\nThe Highlander's fuel economy tells the story of three powertrain generations, and which one you want depends on how much you drive. This page lists every EPA row we found for every model year from 2008 to 2023.\n\n**Where these numbers come from.** On October 21, 2026 we pulled the EPA's fueleconomy.gov vehicle data for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, one model year at a time. We merged rows with identical ratings, so an extra line in a year means the EPA published a different rating for another trim or tire. We show the drive type but not the trim, since the EPA does not label it in the data we pulled. Ratings are EPA label values, not measured mileage, and the EPA changed how it tests vehicles in 2008, so we start there.\n\n<figure class=\"chart\" style=\"margin:24px 0\">\n<svg viewBox=\"0 0 760 402\" role=\"img\" aria-labelledby=\"hy-t\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;font-family:var(--sans,system-ui);font-size:12px\">\n<title id=\"hy-t\">EPA combined mpg, Toyota Highlander, selected model years</title>\n<text x=\"20\" y=\"22\" font-weight=\"700\" font-size=\"13\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">EPA combined mpg, Toyota Highlander, selected model years</text>\n<text x=\"20\" y=\"40\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"var(--ink-2,#555)\">Grey = older gas. Orange = current-generation gas. Green = hybrid. Best EPA row shown for each pick.</text>\n<line x1=\"260.0\" y1=\"54\" x2=\"260.0\" y2=\"372\" stroke=\"var(--line,#ccc)\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 4\"/>\n<text x=\"260.0\" y=\"388\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"var(--ink-2,#555)\">0</text>\n<line x1=\"363.8\" y1=\"54\" x2=\"363.8\" y2=\"372\" stroke=\"var(--line,#ccc)\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 4\"/>\n<text x=\"363.8\" y=\"388\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"var(--ink-2,#555)\">10</text>\n<line x1=\"467.5\" y1=\"54\" x2=\"467.5\" y2=\"372\" stroke=\"var(--line,#ccc)\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 4\"/>\n<text x=\"467.5\" y=\"388\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"var(--ink-2,#555)\">20</text>\n<line x1=\"571.2\" y1=\"54\" x2=\"571.2\" y2=\"372\" stroke=\"var(--line,#ccc)\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 4\"/>\n<text x=\"571.2\" y=\"388\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"var(--ink-2,#555)\">30</text>\n<line x1=\"675.0\" y1=\"54\" x2=\"675.0\" y2=\"372\" stroke=\"var(--line,#ccc)\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 4\"/>\n<text x=\"675.0\" y=\"388\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"var(--ink-2,#555)\">40</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"78\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2008 V6 FWD</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"64\" width=\"207.5\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"var(--trail,#2b8a3e)\" stroke-width=\"2\"/>\n<text x=\"473.5\" y=\"79\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">20 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"112\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2008 Hybrid AWD</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"98\" width=\"269.8\" height=\"20\" fill=\"var(--trail,#2b8a3e)\"/>\n<text x=\"535.8\" y=\"113\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">26 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"146\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2012 Hybrid AWD</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"132\" width=\"290.5\" height=\"20\" fill=\"var(--trail,#2b8a3e)\"/>\n<text x=\"556.5\" y=\"147\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">28 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"180\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2014 4-cyl FWD</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"166\" width=\"228.2\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"var(--trail,#2b8a3e)\" stroke-width=\"2\"/>\n<text x=\"494.2\" y=\"181\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">22 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"214\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2017 V6 FWD</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"200\" width=\"238.6\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"var(--trail,#2b8a3e)\" stroke-width=\"2\"/>\n<text x=\"504.6\" y=\"215\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">23 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"248\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2018 Hybrid AWD (best)</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"234\" width=\"300.9\" height=\"20\" fill=\"var(--trail,#2b8a3e)\"/>\n<text x=\"566.9\" y=\"249\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">29 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"282\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2020 V6 FWD (best)</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"268\" width=\"249.0\" height=\"20\" fill=\"var(--accent,#d9480f)\"/>\n<text x=\"515.0\" y=\"283\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">24 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"316\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2020 Hybrid FWD</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"302\" width=\"373.5\" height=\"20\" fill=\"var(--trail,#2b8a3e)\"/>\n<text x=\"639.5\" y=\"317\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">36 mpg</text>\n<text x=\"252\" y=\"350\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">2023 4-cyl turbo FWD (best)</text>\n<rect x=\"260\" y=\"336\" width=\"259.4\" height=\"20\" fill=\"var(--accent,#d9480f)\"/>\n<text x=\"525.4\" y=\"351\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"var(--ink,#111)\">25 mpg</text>\n</svg>\n</figure>\n\n## 2008–2013: V6 and the First Hybrid\n\n| MODEL YEAR | POWERTRAIN | DRIVE | CITY | HIGHWAY | COMBINED |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 2008–2013 | 3.5L V6 | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |\n| 2008–2010 | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 17 | 23 | 19 |\n| 2011–2013 | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 17 | 22 | 19 |\n| 2009–2010 | 2.7L four-cylinder | FWD | 20 | 27 | 22 |\n| 2011–2013 | 2.7L four-cylinder | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 |\n| 2008–2010 | 3.3L Hybrid | AWD | 27 | 25 | 26 |\n| 2011–2013 | 3.5L Hybrid | AWD | 28 | 28 | 28 |\n\nThe four-cylinder arrived for 2009 and was front-wheel-drive only. The hybrid moved from a 3.3L V6 to a 3.5L V6 in 2011, which lifted its combined rating from 26 to 28 mpg.\n\n## 2014–2019: Eight-Speed Gas, Hybrid Holds at 28–29\n\n| MODEL YEAR | POWERTRAIN | DRIVE | CITY | HIGHWAY | COMBINED |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 2014–2016 | 2.7L four-cylinder | FWD | 20 | 25 | 22 |\n| 2014–2016 | 3.5L V6 | FWD | 19 | 25 | 21 |\n| 2014–2016 | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |\n| 2014–2016 | 3.5L Hybrid | AWD | 27–28 | 28 | 28 |\n| 2017–2019 | 2.7L four-cylinder | FWD | 20 | 24 | 22 |\n| 2017–2019 | 3.5L V6 | FWD | 20–21 | 27 | 23 |\n| 2017–2019 | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 19–20 | 26–27 | 22–23 |\n| 2017–2019 | 3.5L Hybrid | AWD | 29–30 | 27–28 | 28–29 |\n\nThe 3.5L V6 FWD rating rose from 21 to 23 mpg combined in 2017, the largest single-year gas gain before 2020.\n\n## 2020–2023: New Generation\n\n| MODEL YEAR | POWERTRAIN | DRIVE | CITY | HIGHWAY | COMBINED |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| 2020–2022 | 3.5L V6 | FWD | 20–21 | 28–29 | 23–24 |\n| 2020–2022 | 3.5L V6 | AWD | 20 | 27 | 23 |\n| 2023 | 2.4L turbo four | FWD | 21–22 | 28–29 | 24–25 |\n| 2023 | 2.4L turbo four | AWD | 21 | 28 | 24 |\n| 2020–2023 | 2.5L Hybrid | FWD | 36 | 35 | 36 |\n| 2020–2023 | 2.5L Hybrid | AWD | 35 | 34–35 | 35 |\n\nThe redesigned 2020 Highlander brought the 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid, which is the single biggest mpg change in the table, from 28–29 to 35–36 mpg combined. The 2023 truck dropped the V6 for a 2.4L turbo four, and the EPA rating improved by about one mpg.\n\n## What the Gas-Versus-Hybrid Gap Costs\n\nAt EPA combined, the 2020 to 2023 Hybrid AWD (35 mpg) uses about 429 gallons over 15,000 miles. The 2020 to 2022 V6 AWD (23 mpg) uses about 652 gallons, a gap of about 223 gallons a year. At $3.50 a gallon that is about $780 a year. The 2014 to 2016 hybrid (28 mpg) uses about 536 gallons against 750 for a V6 AWD at 20 mpg, a gap of 214 gallons or about $750.\n\n## What the EPA Numbers Miss\n\n1. **Towing and load cut mpg.** The EPA tests an empty truck.\n2. **Age matters.** A 15-year-old truck is not delivering its label mpg. Hybrid battery health, tire condition and alignment all move real-world mpg.\n3. **Short trips and cold weather hit hybrids hardest.**\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### What is the best Highlander year for gas mileage?\n\nThe 2020 to 2023 Highlander Hybrid. It is rated 35 to 36 mpg combined, against 28 to 29 for the 2011 to 2019 hybrid.\n\n### What mpg does the older Highlander V6 get?\n\n19 to 20 mpg combined for the 2008 to 2013 V6, 20 to 22 for 2014 to 2016, and 22 to 23 for 2017 to 2019.\n\n### How many mpg does the 2.7L four-cylinder Highlander get?\n\n22 mpg combined from 2009 to 2019 in front-wheel drive. It was never offered with AWD.\n\n### Did the Highlander Hybrid change in 2020?\n\nYes. It moved from a 3.5L V6 hybrid at 28 to 29 mpg to a 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid at 35 to 36 mpg combined.\n\n## Related Guides\n\n- [Toyota Highlander Recalls 2008–2023: Every Campaign](/guides/toyota-highlander-recalls-2008-2023/)\n- [Toyota Highlander Complaints by Year: 2008–2023](/guides/toyota-highlander-complaints-by-year-2008-2023/)\n- [Toyota Highlander Recalls: Every Recall 2024–2026](/guides/toyota-highlander-recalls-2024-2026/)\n- [Toyota Highlander Problems: NHTSA Complaints 2024–2026](/guides/toyota-highlander-problems-nhtsa-complaints/)\n- [Toyota Highlander MPG: Gas and Hybrid 2024–2026](/guides/toyota-highlander-mpg-gas-hybrid-2024-2026/)\n- [Toyota Grand Highlander Recalls: Every Recall 2024–2026](/guides/toyota-grand-highlander-recalls-2024-2026/)\n- [Toyota RAV4 Known Issues: NHTSA Complaints by Year](/guides/toyota-rav4-known-issues-nhtsa-complaints-by-year/)\n\nSources: U.S. Department of Energy and EPA, [fueleconomy.gov](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/) vehicle data (Toyota Highlander, 2008–2023), queried October 21, 2026. Gallons per year and dollar figures are our arithmetic."
}