Introduction: How Many Miles Per Gallon Can You Expect?

If you’re wondering what are the 2025 Toyota Highlander miles per gallon ratings, you’re in the right place. Toyota’s latest Highlander lineup includes both gas and hybrid versions, and their fuel economy numbers are finally here. For a midsize SUV with strong performance, the Highlander delivers impressive real‑world gas mileage — especially in hybrid form. In this article, we uncover official EPA ratings and actual user experiences so you know exactly what to expect.

Highlander Fuel Economy Specs

Trim Type	Drivetrain	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Real‑World Highway Avg
Gas LE / XLE / Limited FWD	FWD	22	29	25	~28 mpg
Gas LE / XLE / Limited AWD	AWD	21	28	24	~27 mpg
Hybrid XLE / Limited AWD	AWD Hybrid	35	34‑35	35	~33‑38 mpg
Gas Platinum / XSE AWD	AWD	21	28	24	~27 mpg
Hybrid Platinum	AWD Hybrid	35	34‑35	35	~35 mpg
Average Gas Trim	—	—	—	~24‑25	27‑28 mpg
Average Hybrid Trim	—	—	—	~35	33‑36 mpg
Reddit real‑world reports	—	—	—	—	Gas ~27‑34, Hybrid ~30‑40
EPA combined estimates	—	21‑22	28‑29	24‑25	—
EPA hybrid estimates	—	35	34‑35	35	—

EPA Estimated MPG: What Toyota Says

Toyota officially lists the 2025 Highlander with a 2.4‑liter turbocharged 4‑cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 lb‑ft of torque. The standard front‑wheel‑drive gas Highlander (LE FWD, XLE FWD, Limited FWD) is rated at 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Models with all‑wheel drive drop slightly to 21 city, 28 highway, 24 combined mpg. Toyota’s website confirms these numbers, and they align closely with the latest gas‑only trim estimates.

For the Highlander Hybrid, Toyota estimates 35 mpg combined, and in some trims 35 city and 34 highway mpg depending on configuration. Car and Driver also confirms that the Highlander Hybrid earns EPA estimates of 35 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.

Real‑World Highway MPG: What Drivers Report

Reddit users and owners have shared real‑world experiences that shed light on what actual Highlander drivers see on the road. For the standard gas Highlander, users report highway mileage closer to 27‑34 mpg on open roads, resulting in a combined average around 25 mpg, especially when most driving is highway.

Hybrid drivers report real‑world highway mpg ranging from 30‑40 mpg depending on conditions. One user in Arizona averaged 35 mpg consistently, higher in warmer weather, with dash readings improving over time as the system calibrated. While official is 35 combined, some drivers saw 38‑39 mpg after break‑in or when driving conservatively.

Factors Impacting Highlander Fuel Economy

Engine efficiency, driving habits, weather, and even ECO or normal mode settings can affect mpg. Here’s how:

The gas‑only 2.4L turbo engine paired with an eight‑speed automatic shifts efficiently on the highway, but highway gusts, AC usage, and cargo weight can reduce mpg. Owners report that using Normal mode instead of Eco sometimes yielded better results, much like in Highlander Hybrid cases. Cooler temperatures drop efficiency, while highway speeds of 70‑75 mph keep mpg closer to mid‑20s for gas engines and low‑30s for hybrids.

Hybrid vs. Gas: Choosing the Right Highlander Version

Toyota offers two main configurations with substantially different mpg:

The Gas‑only Highlander (2.4L turbo, AWD optional) delivers about 24‑25 mpg combined, with highway figures around 28 mpg and city figures around 21 mpg depending on trim.

The Highlander Hybrid AWD achieves 35 mpg combined, with 35 city and 34‑35 highway estimates. Real‑world hybrid users report highway averages in the low to mid‑30s, sometimes up to 39 mpg in temperate climates or after driving habits adapt.

Smart Tips to Improve Your Highlander MPG

To get closer to the official 2025 Toyota Highlander miles per gallon ratings, adopt these habits:

Driving in warmer weather and avoiding AC during cruise helps since hybrids shift more often to electric-only drive. Many drivers found ECO mode wasn’t always better; Normal mode sometimes produced better acceleration patterns and thus improved efficiency. Avoiding rapid acceleration, maintaining steady highway speeds (65‑70 mph), and moderating heavy cargo improves mpg. Reducing use of the Proactive Driving Assist feature (which applies mild braking often) also boosted real‑world mpg in hybrids and likely in gas trims too.

Real Owner Feedback and Insights

Owners around the U.S. report that hybrid Highlanders break in over the first 1,000 miles — after which highway mpg climbed from low 30s into high 30s. For gas trims, consistent highway mileage in the high‑20s is common. Reddit threads confirm that true highway mpg in gas versions often outperforms the combined EPA numbers, especially when driven conservatively. Hybrid owners in warmer climates achieve better results than those in cold zones; fuel economy in winter often dips to low‑30s until temperatures moderate and tires warm up.

Conclusion: Realizing the 2025 Highlander’s MPG Potential

The 2025 Toyota Highlander miles per gallon are impressive — especially in hybrid form. Toyota’s EPA numbers of 24‑25 mpg combined for gas, and 35 mpg combined for hybrid, are realistic and often matched in everyday driving. For drivers mostly on highways, hybrids deliver real‑world efficiency in the low to mid‑30s mpg range, while gas versions hover around 27‑29 mpg. Using smart driving tactics and letting the vehicle break in can help you approach or even exceed expected mileage levels. Whether you’re prioritizing value or fuel savings, the Highlander delivers reliable gas mileage in a comfortable family SUV.