The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid adds about $4,000 to the price of the non-hybrid Highlander but, in return, brings significantly better city fuel economy and the satisfaction of driving a more eco-friendly SUV. Although the hybrid models don’t cover the entire trim range of their gasoline-only counterparts, there are enough choices to satisfy budget-minded shoppers and luxury buyers alike. The Highlander Hybrid competes with other 3-row hybrid crossover SUVs like the Kia Sorento Hybrid, Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, and Ford Explorer.
The Highlander Hybrid continues with the same 2.5-liter gas engine paired with one or two electric motors, depending on if you opt for front-wheel (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Total horsepower for the hybrid is slightly lower than the gas model, with 243 hp and a tow rating capped at 3,500 pounds.
Highlander Hybrid LE
Starts at $40,220 | See listings
- Power rear liftgate
- Three-zone automatic climate control
- 7-inch multi-information screen
- Tinted privacy glass
- Heated power mirrors
- Blind-spot monitor/rear cross-traffic alert
- Windshield wiper de-icer
- LED headlights, taillights, fog lights
- Smart Key
- 8-inch touchscreen/6-speaker audio
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Power driver’s seat
- 8-passenger seating
- Fold-flat second- and third-row seats
- Leather-trimmed shifter and steering wheel
- Five USB ports
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5
- See more
Highlander Hybrid XLE
Starts at $43,220 | See listings
- Moonroof
- SofTex upholstery
- Power front seats with heat
- 7-passenger seating with captain’s chairs
- 8-inch multi-media screen
- Second-row sunshades
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
- LED fog lights
- Optional 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Optional wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- See more
Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition
Starts at $45,980 | See listings
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Power-folding side mirrors
- Digital instrument panels
- Heated and vented front seats
- Available Panoramic View Monitor
- 18-inch bronze-finish alloy wheels
- Ambient interior lighting
- Digital rearview mirror
- See more
Highlander Hybrid Limited
Starts at $47,475 | See listings
- Leather upholstery (first two rows)
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Heated and vented power front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 11-speaker JBL audio
- Front and rear park assist
- Acoustic front side windows
- Optional Panoramic View Monitor
- See more
Highlander Hybrid Platinum
Starts at $50,675 | See listings
- Head-up display
- Adaptive LED headlights
- Panoramic glass roof with sunshade
- Heated second-row seats
- Digital rearview mirror
- Panoramic View Monitor
- See more
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE: 40,220
The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE is the entry-level hybrid trim, although, at about $42,000, it’s still significantly more expensive than its non-hybrid counterpart.
The LE features 3-row seating with room for up to eight people.
Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ comes standard, bringing a long list of safety and driver-assist systems designed to reassure the driver. The package includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Lane-tracing assist automatically centers the Highlander when driving on roads with clear lane markers. At the same time, the automatic high-beam headlights know when it’s appropriate to turn themselves on or off. The full-speed-range adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance between the Highlander and the car ahead and includes low-speed following down to 1 mph.
Road Sign Assist uses cameras to detect road signs and duplicate them as icons in the instrument cluster, alerting the driver when they may have missed a speed limit sign or traffic warning. Lastly, a rear backup camera helps the driver see people or objects not visible through the rearview mirror.
The LE Hybrid features 18-inch painted alloy wheels, fog lights, LED lighting for the headlights and taillights, heated side mirrors, rear privacy glass, a power liftgate with a rear wiper, and washers for the back glass and rear camera lens. Variable front wipers include de-icers that help keep ice from forming on the wiper blade.
Toyota’s Smart Key keyless entry comes standard, allowing the driver to unlock the door by simply touching the handle and starting the vehicle with a button push. The system also works with the rear liftgate.
The LE’s interior features cloth-covered seats, an 8-way power driver’s seat, a 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat with reclining seatbacks, and a 60/40-split folding third-row seat.
Comfort and convenience amenities are numerous, highlighted by tri-zone automatic climate controls and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with touch functions for the audio, Bluetooth phone, and adaptive cruise control. Also onboard are 1-touch up/down power windows, extending sun visors with vanity mirrors, and rear seats climate controls.
The LE employs a 7-inch digital multi-information screen between the speedometer and tachometer, with readouts for cruise control guide, energy monitor, fuel economy, and more. There’s also a drive-mode system with Eco, Normal, and Sport settings and an EV mode for electric-only driving at low speeds and short distances.
The LE’s infotainment system is relatively robust, with an 8-inch color touchscreen and a 6-speaker AM/FM stereo radio. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It includes a 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio and access to Toyota’s Connected Services, such as Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.
Opting for all-wheel drive adds a second motor at the rear axle and one additional drive setting: Trail mode.
With the $1,335 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE is $41,155. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $784. See 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE models for sale near you
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid LE includes:
- Hybrid powertrain – This gas/electric arrangement delivers impressive fuel economy, employs regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack when slowing down, and runs for short distances in electric-only mode.
- Adaptive cruise control – The Highlander Hybrid can stay at a pre-set distance from traffic ahead, slowing or speeding up as needed. The system can even bring the vehicle to a complete stop without driver intervention.
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – Your compatible smartphone connects with the SUV’s infotainment system, granting access to the phone’s apps, maps, music, and messaging.
- Tri-zone climate control – Permits individual climate settings for the front and rear-seat passengers, with a separate control panel in the second row.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE: $43,220
The XLE adds to the LE’s standard equipment list but opens the door to more optional upgrades.
Passenger capacity drops to seven when moving to the XLE as second-row captain’s chairs replace the bench seat. However, those who still need room for eight can opt to retain the second-row bench at no extra cost.
The XLE’s upholstery gets upgraded to SofTex, a synthetic fabric that rivals leather’s durability and cleans up easier than cloth. Other interior upgrades include heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, an 8-way power passenger seat, and a wireless charging pad.
New this year is a Premium Audio package that elevates the center touchscreen to a 12.3-inch unit. Also included is a 6-speaker premium audio upgrade and Dynamic Navigation with free over-air-updates for three years.
With the $1,335 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE is $44,555. On a 60-month loan with 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $841. See 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE models for sale near you
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE includes:
- 10-way power driver’s seat – Drivers of all sizes can find the perfect perch. On long trips, power lumbar support helps reduce lower back fatigue.
- Hands-free power liftgate – With the remote fob in your purse or pocket, you only need to pass your foot beneath the bumper to cause the liftgate to open automatically.
- Wireless charging pad – Conveniently located for driver or passenger access, this wireless charging device works with compatible devices, negating the need for messy wires or an open USB port.
- Power sunroof – Let more air or sunlight in without lowering the side windows.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition: $45,980
The Bronze Edition is unique to the hybrid lineup. It builds off the XLE with more visual pop and a few more comfort and convenience features.
The Bronze Edition stands apart with 18-inch bronze-finished alloy wheels, illuminated scuff plates with a bronze finish, and special graphite-color interior upholstery with patterned cloth inserts and bronze stitching.
Additional exterior features include side mirrors with puddle lights and integrated Highlander logo, LED strip daytime running lights, rain-sensing washer-linked wipers, and a height-adjustable hands-free liftgate.
The Bronze Edition comes standard with a digital rearview mirror with HomeLink, two interior 120-volt outlets (one in the second-row console and one in the cargo bay), and ambient interior lighting.
Paint colors for the Bronze Edition include Cement (exclusive to the Bronze Edition), Wind Chill Pearl, and Midnight Black.
Oddly, the Bronze Edition offers none of the XLE’s option packages.
With the $1,335 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition is $47,315. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $893. See 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition models for sale near you
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited: $47,475
The Limited brings some new-for-2023 features to the Highlander Hybrid, the most obvious being a new 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The Limited enjoys heated, power-folding side mirrors (with a reverse tilt-down feature), leather upholstery on the first- and second-row seats, heated and ventilated front seats, memory for the driver’s seat and side mirrors, and Dynamic Navigation.
Music lovers will thrill to the 1,400-watt 11-speaker JBL audio system that includes a powered subwoofer for impressive bass reproduction. The Limited gains front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking function, LED fog lights, 20-inch chrome wheels, and acoustic noise-reducing front glass.
Finally, the Highlander Hybrid Limited adds a heated steering wheel and the Driver Easy Speak system that allows the driver to use the car’s speakers to communicate with rear-seat passengers.
Optional on the Limited is a 360-degree Bird’s-Eye View Camera system.
With the $1,335 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited is $48,810. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $921. See 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited models for sale near you
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited includes:
- Power-folding side mirrors – These make it easier to squeeze into tight spaces, such as a crowded parking lot or narrow garage entrance.
- Heated and ventilated front seats – Along with 3-level heat settings, the Limited’s front seats can also cool, helping passengers keep dry and comfortable on sweltering summer days.
- Digital instrument cluster – The configurable digital cluster replaces analog gauges and is viewable in four settings: Tough, Sporty, Casual, and Smart.
- Available Bird’s-Eye View monitor – With cameras placed around the Limited’s exterior, this system projects a 360-degree view from outside the vehicle. It can even work at low speeds and in reverse, perfect for adventures off-road.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum: $50,675
The Platinum is the most luxurious trim in the Highlander Hybrid stable. It naturally includes all of the Limited’s standard and optional equipment, then adds heated second-row seats, rain-sensing washer-linked wipers, a 10-inch color head-up display, and auto-leveling adaptive headlights that move in the direction of the front wheels.
The Platinum also enjoys a massive panoramic glass sunroof with a full-length power sunshade, unique 20-inch wheels, and illuminated front scuff plates.
With the $1,335 destination charge, the 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum is $52,010. On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the monthly payment comes to about $981. See 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum models for sale near you
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum includes:
- Heated second-row seats – Passengers in the second-row captain’s chairs can warm up without adjusting the Highlander Hybrid’s climate controls.
- Panoramic sunroof – Covering the first- and second-row seats, this panoramic sunroof includes a sliding front half and a power sunshade that can cover the entire panel when you want less light.
- Head-up display – This helpful driver aid projects information directly onto the windshield, allowing drivers to see navigation, speed, and other information without taking their eyes off the road.
- Rain-sensing wipers – These automatically detect rain, mist, or snow, and then activate. Wiper speed adjusts for precipitation intensity.
