2026 Toyota Highlander — Full Specifications
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The 2026 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 29–42 mpg (UK) across all configurations. A hybrid version is also listed by EPA (2.5L 4-cyl), returning around 42 mpg (UK) combined. Owners often keep a Toyota Highlander workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2025 Toyota Highlander: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 29 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. 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 | All-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 | 231 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 6 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,800 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2026 Toyota Highlander across 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 24 to 35 mpg (US), or 29 to 42 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 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl (Hybrid) | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 42 | 35 (35/34) | 157 | $1,900 |
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 2026 Toyota Highlander
Running Costs: 2026 Toyota Highlander
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2026 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.
2026 Toyota Highlander Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
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 231 g/km CO₂ figure is 22 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 2026 Toyota Highlander's 29 mpg is 5 mpg below that make average. Its 231 g/km CO₂ figure is 15 g/km higher than the 216 g/km Toyota average.
Of the 17 Toyota Highlander model years we cover, the 2026 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 2026 Toyota Highlander
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2026 Toyota Highlander have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2026 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 2026 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 42 mpg. The hybrid version returns around 42 mpg (UK) combined.
How much does the 2026 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 2026 Toyota Highlander have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
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.