Toyota Highlander MPG by year — every rating on record

The Toyota Highlander has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 26 model years, from 2001 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 25 mpg (2023) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 85 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Toyota Highlander placed highest in 2004 at #7 of 60, and lowest in 2026 at #146 of 188. It spent 12 of its 26 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 85 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 4 of 6 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What Highlander fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Toyota Highlander burns 479 to 479 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $2,600 to $2,600 a year in fuel, or $1,750 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Across the 152 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, the median best combined rating is 29 mpg. At 24 mpg the Toyota Highlander is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $289 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Toyota nameplates

Every Toyota model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.