2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

~ “Bringing the Whole Family Along for the Ride” ~

If you’re planning on bringing the whole family along for the ride, the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid may just be your best bet!

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For starters, the 2020 Highlander Hybrid is one of the only non-luxury hybrid vehicles with 3-rows of seats! With that said, the 2020 Highlander Hybrid is basically in a class of its own at the moment. But, we don’t expect this to be the case for too long, especially since more and more auto brands seem to be interested in hybridizing their most popular crossover SUVs.

But, as of now, if you need the added practicality of 3-row seating and want the added benefits of hybridization (and not looking for a luxury-branded SUV), the 2020 Highlander Hybrid is one of your only options (see below for estimated vehicle pricing).

~ Estimated Vehicle Pricing ~

$38,200 – $50,000

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Powertrain / Fuel Efficiency / Range

Powering the 2020 Highlander Hybrid is a 2.5-Liter 4-Cylinder engine and two electric motors. All three of these power sources work together to produce a combined 243 horsepower. Unlike the non-hybrid Highlander, the Hybrid version is paired to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Thankfully, Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) are both still available with this hybrid crossover.

According to the EPA, you should expect hybrid variants of the 2020 Highlander to achieve up to 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Also, Toyota notes that the Highlander has a 17.1-gallon fuel tank.

QUICK MARCUS MATH: After some quick number crunching, theoretically, the 2020 Highlander Hybrid should be able to achieve slightly over 600 miles of range on one full tank of gas (in the most ideal driving conditions).

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Cargo Versatility

For 2020, a power-assisted liftgate comes as STANDARD equipment, while an optional hands-free opening tailgate is available if you’re willing to splurge a bit. Nevertheless, as far as dimension go, the 2020 Highlander’s trunk is ever so slightly more cavernous than its predecessor’s.

Here are the exact cargo figures:

• Behind 3rd Row ➞ 16.0-cubic*
• Behind 2nd Row ➞ 48.4-cubic*
• Behind 1st Row ➞ 84.3-cubic*

*The cargo capacities above are in cubic feet and apply to both the non-hybrid and hybrid Highlander.

This means that even when every seat is occupied, you can still store 16-cubic feet worth of luggage within the Highlander’s trunk. Not too shabby!

But, of course, if you decided to leave some people behind, you can easily expand your cargo-carrying capacity to 84.3-cubic feet of space… All in all, these numbers are class-competitive with other 3-row mid-size crossover SUVs.

The practicality certainly does not stop there! Looking beyond the cargo area, you’ll notice an oh-so-family-friendly cabin with conveniently-placed storage cubbies carved into the dashboard.

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Safety

As far as safety tech goes, Toyota packs the 2020 Highlander Hybrid with an extensive suite of safety technologies. Toyota calls this impressive suite of STANDARD safety technology, Toyota Safety Sense. Here are some of the many STANDARD safety features:

• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Alert
• Steering Assist
• Pre-Collision Braking
• Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear-Cross Traffic Alert
• Automatic High Beam Assist

Move up the Highlander Hybrid pedestal (beyond the base model), and you’ll benefit from a couple more convenient safety systems.

One much appreciated safety-enhancement system is Toyota’s optional Head-Up Display (HUD), which projects intuitive turn-by-turn navigation (and other vital info) directly on your windshield, helping you keep your eyes on the road.

Another rather commendable safety feature is Toyota’s optional Digital Rearview Mirror, which can be activated with the simple flip of a switch. In a nutshell, this optional rearview mirror system projects an unobstructed digital view of the Highlander’s rear. See images below.

And when the least expected happens, you can rest assured that you and your fellow passengers will be in good hands. This is because the 2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earns a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for 2020.

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Multi-Media Connectivity & In-Car Entertainment

New for 2020 is Toyota’s extensively updated Entune 3.0 touchscreen interface which comes in two sizes: standard 8-inches and an optional class-exclusive 12-inch spec. Additionally, the updated UI supports an applaudable amount of standard tech which will surely keep you and your passengers well entertained. Some of the many STANDARD entertainment goodies include:

• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlay
• Amazon Alexa
• Sirius XM radio
• 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi hotspot

Oh yes! And if you’re an audiophile, you’ll greatly appreciate the optional 11-speaker JBL Premium Audio System. It’s time to turn up the song below. LIVIN’ MY LIFE LIKE IT’S GOLDEN! ♫

Continue reading to discover our other song selections.