The original Toyota Highlander was one of the first hybrid 3-row SUVs on the market. A couple of decades later, the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is in its 4th generation but it faces tougher competition from the Kia Sorento Hybrid, Ford Explorer Hybrid, and the new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
Performance
Engine – The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 2.5L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder that is aided by 3 electric motors. There’s a couple of motors sandwiched between the engine and the transmission and another in the back providing an e-AWD system. The total output is 243 hp (181 kW). Toyota won’t say the torque figure. In an SUV that tips the scales at 2,040 kg (4,497 lbs), this hybrid powertrain doesn’t make the Highlander a quick vehicle. It takes the engine a while to get the SUV up to speed when merging onto a highway or going up a hill at speed; relatively speaking when compared to the Explorer Hybrid. It’s even worse when all 7 seats are filled or when you’re towing up to the rated 3,500 lbs. However, when you’re commuting to work, the 2024 Highlander can return some impressive fuel economy numbers.
Fuel Economy – The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is rated for 6.7 L/100km (35.1 MPG) in a city and 6.8 L/100km (34.6 MPG) on a highway. The great news is that it’s possible to get even better fuel economy in the real world as I managed to average 6.2 L/100km (38 MPG) during my time with the SUV.
In a city environment at slower speeds, the car runs often on electricity. With a nearly fully charged battery, it can also accelerate on electricity alone up to approximately 65 km/h (40 mph). You have to be extremely gentle with the throttle pedal to get it up to that speed. There is an EV-mode that allows for faster electric-only acceleration but that mode is automatically disabled if you go past 35 km/h (20 mph) or so. Also, if you don’t use the climate control, the Highlander Hybrid will run more often on electricity.
Transmission – Like many other Toyota hybrids, the 2024 Highlander Hybrid is paired with an eCVT automatic. It doesn’t try to fool you into thinking it’s anything else as it behaves like a traditional CVT automatic. It does provide virtual gears when you shift the gear selector into the “S” mode but it doesn’t make the Highlander any more sporty.
Braking – The Toyota Highlander charges up the battery through regenerative braking and by the engine directly. The regen braking is indistinguishable from the standard friction braking. Which is a good thing. The brake pedal is easy to modulate for smooth stops and has a firm enough feel.
Handling – The Highlander Hybrid does not drive quite as well around twisting and winding roads. Then again, it’s not meant to be that type of 3-row SUV. However, it has a stable and planted driving manner. It’s also easy and not tiring to drive. The steering is light enough so that it doesn’t strain your arms when you try to park the Highlander but it firms up nicely on highways. For a family focused 3-row SUV, ease of driving is arguably what’s most important and the Toyota Highlander excels at that job.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – This particular Nightshade Edition Highlander is equipped with 18-inch wheels and really thick sidewall tires. This aids in providing a soft ride, in addition to the soft tuned suspension. The ride is supple and forgiving, important characteristics for a family SUV.
Interior Space – As is the norm in many SUVs, front occupants are treated to a lot of space. This Highlander Hybrid has a bit more legroom than the Kia Sorento Hybrid but a bit less headroom than the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid.
The 2nd row is available with captain’s chairs or bench seating for three occupants. Legroom is plentiful for adults with headroom being a smidge less than the front seats. These captain’s chairs can slide forwards & backwards and recline with a small tray with a couple of cupholders being situated in between them. There are separate climate controls for the rear seats along with a couple of USB-C ports.
The 3rd row in this 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is not really designed for adults, or even taller kids. There are 3 seats but it is awfully tight back there. If you need to carry adults in the 3rd row often, the Toyota Grand Highlander is a much better option.
Behind the seats, the 2024 Highlander Hybrid has 453 L (16 cu-ft) of space behind the 3rd row, 1,371 L (48.4 cu-ft) behind the 2nd row, and 2,387 L (84.3 cu-ft) behind the 1st row with all seats folded. Under the trunk floor are a few tools to change the wheel with the compact spare wheel being situated under the car.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – Of course when the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is being motivated by the electric motors, it is a quiet SUV. But even with the engine running at a constant cruising speed, it still has a relatively quiet cabin. It’s only when you put your foot down to overtake a vehicle or go up a steep hill does the engine begin to sound like as though its valves are about to pop out.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $49,790 CAD ($40,790 USD, FWD) for the LE trim. This XLE Nightshade Edition has an as equipped price of $54,475 CAD ($47,145 USD). In the United States, the Highlander Hybrid is available as a FWD or an AWD SUV. Here in Canada, it’s only the latter.
Gadgets – This particular Highlander Hybrid is a mid-range XLE trim with the Nightshade Edition package which adds the aforementioned 18-inch black wheels, black lug nuts, black badges, black door handles, black mirror caps, black roof rails, black roof spoiler, and 2nd row captain’s chairs… which are wrapped in black SoftTex upholstery.
Other options on this 2024 Highlander Hybrid include heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 3-zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, 8” touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Wireless Android Auto connectivity, a wireless phone charging pad, power liftgate, and a backup camera.
Should you want more options, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum is available with ventilated front seats, a head-up display, surround view cameras, rear camera mirror, 20” alloy wheels, & heated 2nd row seats.
Interior Design – The interior of the Highlander was made with families in mind. The controls are physical buttons or knobs and within easy reach. There are a lot of storage bins throughout the cabin for small items or water bottles. There are also enough USB ports to charge an entire Apple Store worth of devices.
Exterior Design – The exterior has a lot of smooth curves and lines, unlike its little Rav4 brother which looks to have been styled using only a ruler. The Toyota Highlander has a more grown up look but that front grille looks as though it’s disapproving of everything. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I’m ok with the design of this 4th generation Highlander.
Safety – The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ which includes forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection and emergency steering avoidance, lane departure warning with lane keep, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and Left Turn Intersection Support which can detect an oncoming vehicle and provide an alert or apply the brakes in case of an emergency.
The IIHS gave the 2024 Toyota Highlander a Top Safety Pick with good ratings for crash tests apart from the updated moderate front overlap crash test in which it received a marginal score. It also received good or acceptable scores for the headlights (depending on trim level).
Warranty – The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km basic and 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. The hybrid components are covered by an 8 year / 160,000 km warranty. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on USA warranty, click here. (Scroll to bottom of page)
Conclusion – Considering the increased competition, the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a good all-round family SUV. It may not be the most engaging to drive nor might it not have a whole lot of space in that 3rd row, but it is dependable, fuel efficient, and family focused.Thank you to Toyota Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Toyota.ca
2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Gallery
