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By Jeff Teague Feb 24 2020 - 10:42am

How Far a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Can Travel on a Tank of Gas

I reveal just how much distance you can travel on a single tank of gasoline in the all-new 2020 Highlander Hybrid.
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Time to start planning your first family road trip in your new Highlander Hybrid. Actually, I think I am getting a little ahead of myself. We do not even have them available quite yet – but soon, though.

Highlander Hybrids will be released to the public starting next month and many people cannot wait. With the early success of 2020 Highlander gasoline sales (along with incredible sales numbers on new RAV4 Hybrids), it is expected that Hybrids will be a huge hit.

Expected 2020 Highlander Hybrid Sales

Toyota is predicting their fourth-generation midsize SUV, already the best-selling one in its class since 2016, will be quite popular in Hybrid form. In fact, they anticipate that 20% of all 2020 Highlander sales will come from Highlander Hybrids. This is remarkable.

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Potential buyers can choose from LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum 2020 Highlander Hybrid models. The really cool part is that each of these trim levels is offered in both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. With this wide range of options, you can pick the best one based on if you need more traction or better fuel economy.

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited front seats beige color

I remember way back when (no, I’m not going to say I walked 3 miles in 4 feet of snow to school) the only Hybrid choice out there was a Toyota Prius. And even that was a renegade for its time. Imagine combining gasoline with electric. What a difference 2 decades makes. Hybrids are the future my friends.

Sorry for the tangent folks. Back to gasoline talk.

Driving range for 2020 Highlander Hybrid

Spoiler alert: you may be able to drive up to 618 miles on a single tank of gasoline with a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Of course, as most of us know, a vehicle’s driving range has a lot to do with many factors like driving style, temperature and the terrain you are driving on.

Here are some gas facts you may find important. Fuel tank size for Highlander Hybrid is 17.1 gallons. Gasoline-only fuel tanks hold 17.9 gallons.

Manufacturer-estimated miles per gallon varies based on what Highlander Hybrid you choose. All front-wheel drive Hybrids rate at 36 city / 35 highway / 36 combined. Hybrid LE AWD and XLE AWD trim levels deliver 35 city / 35 highway / 35 combined. Limited AWD and Platinum AWD Hybrid grades get you 35 city / 34 highway / 35 combined.

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Ruby Flare Pearl front end

This driving range is significant, because families can now travel longer distances while making fewer stops for gasoline. Imagine traveling from Chicago to Buffalo on one tank. Or from Denver to Kansas City without stopping once for gas. Maybe Memphis to Houston – no fuel stops.

Time for your thoughts on 2020 Highlander Hybrid

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Toyota Highlander Hybrid? Do you feel this is a vehicle you will consider for a next purchase? Is gas mileage important to you when looking for a new SUV?

Thanks for reading everyone. Feel free to bookmark my Torque News / Toyota News page for the latest Toyota news and reviews stories.

See you next story when I reveal more specs on 2021 Tundra Nightshade.

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: See how 2020 RAV4 AWD drives when it snows.

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Comments

cometguy wrote on February 24, 2020 - 7:14pm
I think that no SUV with an engine should have a gas tank smaller than 20 gallons. For me, the biggest issue is that I hate to go to gas stations, so the less frequent that I have to go, the better. They are dirty and dangerous and just crappy to be at; you step in gasoline puddles and you can get gas on your hands, clothes, and side of your car; you have to sometimes wait in lines, and it can be freezing or raining. Take out that third row of seats and throw in a PHEV battery pack like Toyota has done for its RAV4 Prime, and still increase the gas tank size to 20 or 22 gallons; I'm willing to sacrifice space. Porsche has done exactly this with their Cayenne SUV PHEV (21-gallon gas tank).
Ed B wrote on February 25, 2020 - 12:18pm
Thanks for the information Jeff. Honestly, if I was just considering a V6, the Highlander would not be my choice (Telluride, Palisade and Atlas in that order). However, since I'm going hybrid in 2020, the Highlander is really the best choice out there. I do wish they would have added power-folding mirrors and adjustable front passenger seat (up/down and lumber) for the price point of the Platinum. However, for the money and hybrid option they're hard to beat. Lastly, it will be interesting to see if Toyota hits their market penetration mark of 20% sales increase for the hybrid Highlander.
Halliday Ed wrote on February 27, 2020 - 10:16am
Awesome SUV, desire a Limited/Platinum Model, currently no hitch available. This is a show stopper for me.
dogmom wrote on May 20, 2020 - 1:12pm
Just filled my 2020 Highlander Hybrid tank for the first time and was surprised I was only able to put 13 gallons in the tank. This makes the crusing range under 450 miles, and lower than my outback which got significantly less mpgs. My distance till empty was less than 50 miles when I filled and the low fuel indicator was on. Do these cars have a gas tank issue like the Rav4s?
Corey Vlad wrote on September 12, 2020 - 12:32am
Yes, same issue as the RAV4. I bought my wife the Hybrid Highlander in March and I was hoping it would not have the same issue but it does. The most fuel I can put in it was a little over 13 gallons and the DTE is 442. I called Toyota and got a case number and also took it to the dealer. Of course they found nothing wrong. Will be trying to have Toyota purchase it back. Thank you.
PH wrote on January 9, 2021 - 2:01pm
We have a 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE- same issue with tank- can’t access the three gallons in the 17 gallon tank. Dealer’s service department said the extra gas in the other side of the tank protects the fuel pump. I would try to keep driving even on “E” to see what happens (maybe another 100 miles?), but I don’t want to be stranded if the other side of the tank doesn’t kick in.
HighlanderHybrid wrote on August 19, 2020 - 11:43am
The TV ads say my 2020 Highlander Hybrid XLE can go 595 miles, which is the tank size (17) multiplied by the mpg (35). However, as you know, no car will let you approach empty without warning you extensively. According to google, the Denver to Kansas City trip is 600 miles or so. So it's close. However, you'll never make it that far without stopping because the vehicle's computer calculates the distance to empty at about 450 for a full tank. Recently, the warnings came on when I reached 450ish, and it pressured me to get gas. I was getting about 36+ mpg (yes, 36+) when my dashboard told me I had only a handful of miles remaining. I hit 475 miles and was afraid I was on fumes. I was also super-disappointed that it didn't have the promised range. But when I filled the tank, it topped off at 13.5 gallons. Which means that I still had 3.5 gallons in the tank (120+ miles to go!). It also means that it was telling me I was out of gas starting at about four gallons left. I would expect a car to hedge a little, but is it normal for it to claim empty with FOUR gallons in the tank? Also, they claim it goes 595 on a tank, but given my experience, I can't imagine anyone even approaching that level with those dashboard warnings. Looks like your family will have to make a gas stop in Topeka. Is this normal, or could we consider this a bug in the software?
Michael Gooding wrote on December 30, 2020 - 6:42pm
Just bought the 2021 hybrid highlander.. what a mistake. the distance to empty on a full tank was 425? we went 300 miles in two days and filled up. only took 7 gallons to click off. was able to barely trickle in another 3.5 gallons... really? why does the DTE no working right, and why can we not put gas in it? I have filed with Toyota and have my first appointment next week.
Marc Kenyon wrote on January 19, 2021 - 7:26pm
Is the Highlander Hybrid SUV a plug-in version? How far will it travel in the electric-only mode? Thanks!
PH wrote on January 19, 2021 - 8:39pm
Went for a dealer visit- they said nothing is wrong with anything. Asked why I can only put 14-ish gallons in. No answer. Filed a lemon law complaint with my state (Utah) and with Toyota for false and misleading information. There is no way to meet the mileage listed. I think Toyota is using “math” to calculate mileages, but there are three-four gallons in the saddle style tank you cannot access. If you cannot access the fuel in that area of the tank, then it is useless. Everyone file a grievance if you too have this issue. The Rav4 has the same problem - now a class action suit.
HighlanderHybrid wrote on May 25, 2021 - 9:54pm
I don't think anyone is suggesting you can never get to those three gallons. I imagine if you kept driving, it would use them. I just wish it didn't alert you so soon. It makes it nerve-wracking, but not impossible, to use the full tank. I'd like to see more reports of people approaching mid-to-high 500's in mileage on this thing.