2023 Toyota Highlander — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2023 Toyota Highlander is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 29–43 mpg (UK) across all configurations. A hybrid version is also listed by EPA (2.5L 4-cyl), returning around 43 mpg (UK) combined. Owners often keep a Toyota Highlander workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2022 Toyota Highlander: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 29 mpg (UK) combined. EPA lists new engine options for 2023: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo. No longer listed: 3.5L 6-cyl. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 25 urban / 34 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 21 city / 28 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 230 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 7 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,800 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2023 Toyota Highlander across 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 24 to 36 mpg (US), or 29 to 43 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/28) | 231 | $2,800 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/28) | 230 | $2,800 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl (Hybrid) | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 42 | 35 (35/34) | 157 | $1,900 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl (Hybrid) | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 43 | 36 (36/35) | 152 | $1,850 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2023 Toyota Highlander
Running Costs: 2023 Toyota Highlander
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2023 Toyota Highlander at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2023 Toyota Highlander Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 9 safety recall campaigns that include the 2023 Toyota Highlander (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Steering (2), Tires (2), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Seats — campaign 26V128000, reported 5 March 2026. Risk: A seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Back over prevention — campaign 25V744000, reported 30 October 2025. Risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Electrical system — campaign 25V595000, reported 11 September 2025. Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Steering — campaign 25V040000, reported 29 January 2025. Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Showing the 4 most recent of 9 campaigns.
Owners have filed 191 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Toyota Highlander. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (40), Structure (35), Engine (28). Complaints include 12 reported crashes, 12 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 204 complaints across the 16 Toyota Highlander model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2023 Toyota Highlander
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Body structure (35 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Engine (28 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Transmission & drivetrain (20 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Steering (2 recall campaigns) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Toyota Highlander compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 2 mpg better than that average. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 23 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Toyota models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2023 Toyota Highlander's 29 mpg is 5 mpg below that make average. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 14 g/km higher than the 216 g/km Toyota average.
Of the 17 Toyota Highlander model years we cover, the 2023 ranks 3rd for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (29 mpg UK combined, against a high of 30 mpg). See every Toyota Highlander year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2023 Toyota Highlander
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2023 Toyota Highlander: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.4L 4-cyl turbo with a automatic (s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 29 to 43 mpg. The hybrid version returns around 43 mpg (UK) combined.
How much does the 2023 Toyota Highlander cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2023 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 9 safety recall campaigns that include the 2023 Toyota Highlander (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Steering (2), Tires (2), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2023 Toyota Highlander?
Among the 191 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (40 complaints), Structure (35 complaints), Engine (28 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Toyota Highlander's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.