The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid advances the popular crossover SUV by way of updated looks, better fuel economy and added features for its safety suite. Twenty-five years old now and the Highlander Hybrid remains a front-and-center player, so much so that it’s among our top choices in family-size premium SUVs.
Design Refresh & Exclusive 25th Anniversary Edition
The exterior of the 2025 Highlander Hybrid has been given more robust shapes, with a more aggressive front grille and sharper LED headlights, as well as sculpted body contours that enhance aerodynamics and appearance. Following the 25 th year, Toyota also celebrates with an unique 25th Wedding anniversary Edition design that stands apart with distinct badging, 20-inch alloy wheels and Portobello leather inside trims.
Powerful Yet Efficient Hybrid Powertrain
The Highlander Hybrid is also a 4WD but with the increasingly common powertrain blend of a well-proven 2.5L petrol engine mated to electric motors which combine for up to around 180kW/243hp and over 237Nm/175 lb-ft torque. All trims offer only AWD with a CVT transmission. The three-row hybrid SUV also boasts an industry-leading 35 mpg city, highway, and combined.
Safety & Driver Assistance Upgraded
Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2 for All Highlander Hybrid Five-star (adaptive cruise control, lane departure with lane centering, pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams) The LE trim adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Reliability up, too: Toyota promises even greater reliability for the sensors and algorithms of its ‘Toyota Safety Sense 3.0′ suite, optional on the 25th Anniversary and only version on Platinum models.
Interior & Tech Features
The Highlander Hybrid comes standard with seven- or eight-passenger seating, thanks to fold-flat captain chairs in the second row. Providing blatantly more practical utility than the VW, the Q7 offers 84.3 cubic ft of maximum cargo room with its second and third rows folded down and 48.4 cu ft behind the full second row.
In the technical arena, an array of contemporary fixtures contains Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, multiple USB ports, available Wi-Fi hotspot, cloud-based navigation and optional wireless charging. A 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, head-up display, ambient lighting and JBL premium audio are available on higher trims, as are ventilated front seats.
Trim Levels & Pricing
The trim configurations include LE (Base), XLE, XSE, Limited, Hybrid Nightshade, and Platinum. The price is now around $47,500 for a base hybrid model with the Limited 25th Anniversary and Platinum trims rise up to more than $55,000. All AWD and hybrid systems are still standard trim-crossing offerings.
Real-World Insights & Comparisons
Based on real-world mileage feedback for previous Highlander Hybrid models, we’ve been expecting a mild- to moderate-hybrid-like boost in the 35-37 mpg range with conservative driving (which falls back into the low 30s if your traffic isn’t so smooth). Which squares with both its EPA ratings and our real-world observations.
In recent expert testing by the Toyota Highlander Hybrid compared to competitors including the Kia Sorento Hybrid. The lower-priced Sorento sports sharper acceleration out of the hole, along with much quicker 30-to-50 mph and 50-to-70 mph times, but the Highlander offers better value (by around $8k to start) and better space for passengers—up to seven or eight can fit comfortably—and comes with an easier infotainment solution.
Final Verdict
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the best choices for families that need a mixture of efficiency, safety, space and refinement. Naturally that price is without the $995 destination charge, but considering its standard AWD, impressive fuel economy, broad spectrum of driver-assist tech and generous three-row interior space it’s real-world value. Higher trims drive up the price, but they also offer more comfort, capability, and amenities. Regardless of where you stand on mileage-versus-seats, the Highlander Hybrid is one of the most well-rounded SUVs available today.
