Adam Gray, a seasoned automotive journalist and content creator from the UK, joined the How-To Geek editorial team in January 2025.
As an automotive journalist for How-To Geek, Adam breaks first-to-report news on the latest in automotive tech, as well as penning automotive features and reviews.
Adam is also a contributor to one of How-To Geek’s sister sites, TopSpeed, where he uses his media accrediation with manufacturers’ press offices to gain access to the latest vehicles for subsequent review.
Prior to joining How-To Geek, Adam worked on a freelance basis, contributing automotive content to a variety of business and lifestyle publications.
His experience also includes time spent serving as senior editorial & auction content manager for SBX Cars, automotive content writer for Supercar Blondie, motoring editor for Portfolio North, and motoring editor – North East for Reach plc.
When he’s not putting the latest vehicle through its paces or testing out its tech, Adam can be found at his local ice rink playing ice hockey or at the Riverside Stadium supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC. Adam also enjoys spending quality time with his three children: Ellie, Oscar, and Heidi.
Big three-row SUVs like the Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Nissan Armada deliver serious space and road presence, but they’re not exactly known for being gentle at the pump. That’s fine for road trips, but it stings a lot more during school runs and grocery hauls.
Hybrids have gone fully mainstream, and options like the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Hyundai Tucson Hybrid make living with an SUV a lot cheaper day to day. The catch is that not all of them give you three proper rows, and some still fall short on efficiency once you load up the whole family.
That’s where the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid steps in, delivering standout fuel economy without giving up the space, practicality, or rock-solid reliability families expect.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and TopSpeed.
The Japanese SUV With The Highest Fuel Cost Savings
SUVs, especially the bigger ones, aren’t known for their fuel efficiency, but one Japanese model stands out from the crowd–and it has three rows.
The Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid checks every box
And it delivers 36 MPG combined
The Toyota Grand Highlander comes with three flavors: a regular gas model, a standard hybrid, and the punchier Hybrid Max. If MPG is your priority, the front-wheel-drive hybrid is the sweet spot at 36 MPG combined, while all-wheel drive dips slightly to 34 MPG.
Under the hood, the standard hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric motors to make 245 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty for daily family duty. Want more muscle? The Hybrid Max cranks things up to 362 horsepower and 400 lb-ft, though fuel economy drops to 27 MPG combined in exchange for the extra shove.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.4L I-4 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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8-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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265 HP @6000 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
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310 lb.-ft. @ 1700 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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21/28/24 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
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Lead acid battery
- Make
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Toyota
- Model
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Grand Highlander
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid vs. gas model
The regular Grand Highlander runs a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder hooked up to an eight-speed automatic, putting out a healthy 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s available with front- or all-wheel drive, just like the hybrid.
Fuel economy is where the gap really shows up. The gas model manages 24 MPG combined with front-wheel drive and 23 MPG with all-wheel drive, which makes the hybrid’s numbers look hard to ignore if you’re thinking long term.
Range tells a similar story. The hybrid can stretch between 464 and 619 miles on a tank depending on the setup, while the gas version lands between 392 and 427 miles, and EPA fuel cost estimates favor the hybrid by several hundred dollars a year.
10 Three-Row Hybrids That Make Perfect Family Vehicles
These three-row hybrids offer the perfect mix of efficiency, space, and comfort, making them ideal for families on the go.
What makes it such a great three-row SUV for families?
There’s plenty of space in all three rows
Most trims of the Grand Highlander Hybrid come standard with second-row captain’s chairs, though you can swap in a bench on most versions if you need seating for eight. Up front, passengers get over 41 inches of headroom and legroom, and even the third row is adult-friendly with 37.5 inches of headroom and 33.5 inches of legroom.
Cargo space is just as family-ready. There’s 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row for strollers or groceries, and folding the back rows opens things up to a massive 97.5 cubic feet, making this one of the most practical three-row SUVs you can buy right now.
Bigger than the Highlander hybrid, and it shows
As the name hints, the Grand Highlander is essentially a stretched-out version of the Highlander. They ride on the same GA-K platform, but the Grand Highlander gets a longer wheelbase and a boxier shape that frees up noticeably more space inside.
That extra length translates to a roomier third row, more cargo capacity, and a wider-feeling cabin overall. The impressive part is that it keeps the same strong fuel economy, which makes the Grand Highlander Hybrid the more flexible pick for families who want space without paying extra at the pump.
Score Big With Your Budget: How to Maximize $40k on a Toyota Hybrid SUV
Got a $40k budget—should you go for a brand-new, fully loaded RAV4 Hybrid or a gently used Highlander Hybrid with extra space and power?
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander hybrid vs. the competition
One brand quietly dominates the Japanese three-row hybrid SUV space
Toyota kicked off the hybrid era with the Prius back in 1997, and nearly 30 years later, it’s still setting the pace. Plenty of brands build hybrids now, but when it comes to Japanese three-row hybrid SUVs, the shortlist is basically a Toyota family reunion.
Alongside the Highlander Hybrid and Grand Highlander Hybrid, you’ve got the Lexus TX 500h and the Toyota Sequoia Hybrid. The Lexus shares similar bones but costs a lot more and returns around 27 MPG combined, while the big, truck-based Sequoia Hybrid lands closer to 20–22 MPG, making the Grand Highlander Hybrid the clear efficiency standout of the group.
Non-Japanese three-row hybrid SUVs worth a look
If you’re open to looking beyond Japan, the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Kia Sorento Hybrid are the two closest rivals. These Korean siblings run a turbocharged 1.6-liter hybrid setup with a six-speed automatic, good for 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and both offer all-wheel drive.
They even match the Grand Highlander Hybrid on fuel economy, which keeps things interesting. Pricing starts around $36,150 for the Santa Fe Hybrid and $38,690 for the Sorento Hybrid, undercutting Toyota and making them strong value plays.
10 Hybrid Vehicles That Are Much Faster Than You’d Expect
Hybrid vehicles are no longer just about fuel efficiency—they can pack serious speed too.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander trims, pricing, and key features
Here’s what you get at each price point
The Grand Highlander Hybrid starts at $44,710 for the base Hybrid LE, which is also the only trim that comes standard with a second-row bench. From there, you move up through the XLE, Limited, and Nightshade, each adding more comfort, tech, and style, with the Nightshade leaning into blacked-out trim for a sportier vibe.
At the top of the range are the Hybrid Max Limited and Platinum, which get the more powerful Hybrid Max setup and start at $55,190 and $59,275. Those trims are for buyers who want extra punch along with all the bells and whistles.
There’s a solid mix of features across the lineup
Feature-wise, the Grand Highlander Hybrid doesn’t feel bare-bones even in base LE form. You get a big 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an eight-way power driver’s seat right out of the gate.
Step up to the XLE and you add heated front seats, keyless entry and push-button start, a power tailgate, and a generous spread of USB-C ports throughout the cabin. The Limited brings in nicer touches like an 11-speaker JBL sound system, leather-trimmed seats, and ventilated fronts, while the Hybrid Max Platinum tops things off with a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, and a 360-degree camera.