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It’s not as easy as you might think to find a non-luxury, three-row hybrid SUV – until you turn to Toyota. The automaker’s electrified lineup is brimming with third-row options, including the Sequoia Hybrid, the Grand Highlander Hybrid, and the model we focus on here: the 2025 Highlander Hybrid.
The 2025 Highlander Hybrid outdoes its competitors in many ways. It generates 243 horsepower and offers a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds. It also returns an EPA-estimated 35 mpg (combined city and highway). The cargo space behind the third row is a roomy 16 cubic feet, with plenty more if you fold the second and third row flat. Combine that with standard all-wheel drive, premium amenities, and Toyota’s fine reputation for longevity, you’ve got a winning formula that’s tough to beat.
For the new model year, the Highlander is celebrating 25 years of production with a limited-run trim called the Highlander Hybrid Limited 25th Edition. Toyota will produce just 2,500 units of this commemorative model, which features distinctive design touches, an exclusive Portobello-colored interior, and 25th Edition badging inside and out. Other noteworthy changes include a new paint color called Heavy Metal, and a revamped lineup with the XLE now serving as the base trim.
EPA-Estimated City/Highway
2.5L 4-Cylinder w/ Three Electric Motors
Max Towing Capacity
Five trims make up the ‘25 Highlander Hybrid lineup: XLE, XLE Nightshade, Limited, Limited 25th Edition, and Platinum. Each grade makes 243 horsepower thanks to three electric motors and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine; an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission completes the powertrain.
The XLE and XLE Nightshade achieve an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in both city and highway scenarios, while the Limited and higher return are rated for 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway. Electronic on-demand all-wheel drive is standard on every ‘25 Highlander Hybrid, as well as a drive mode selector with settings for Sport, Trail, EV, Eco, and Normal. As mentioned above, the Highlander Hybrid can tow up to 3,500 pounds when it’s properly equipped.
The XLE is configured with a middle-row bench seat, making it the only Highlander Hybrid trim that can seat eight people. Its interior is nicely equipped with SofTex upholstery in the first and second rows, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control with separate second-row controls, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, an 8-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat, wireless smartphone charging, a 7-inch color multi-information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, a soft-touch in-dash split-level shelf, a soft-touch roll-top center console with a removable utility tray, five USB ports, and two 12-volt power outlets. On the exterior, look for silver-painted roof rails, LED lighting (projector headlights, fog lights, and taillights), a power moonroof, a hands-free power liftgate, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, remote keyless entry, a smart key system on the front doors and liftgate, and machine-finished 18-inch alloy wheels.
The delightfully dark XLE Nightshade has mixed-media upholstery that combines fabric and SofTex, and the exterior is blacked out across the 18-inch alloy wheels, front grille, door handles, mirror caps, roof rails, rear spoiler, shark-fin antenna, and rear lower bumper. The Limited gets leather upholstery for the first and second rows, ventilated front seats, position memory for the front seats, a heated steering wheel, ornamental dash accents and faux-wood door trim, metallic front doorsills, ambient interior lighting, a 12.3-inch color digital gauge cluster, a cargo-area tonneau cover, two 120-volt power outlets, LED high-output fog lights and daytime running lights, noise-reducing front side windows, a black-painted front grille with a chrome-plated surround, silver-finished roof rails, chrome-finished 20-inch alloy wheels, and heated power-folding side mirrors with position memory, integrated turn signals and blind-spot warning indicators, and puddle lights that display the Highlander logo on the ground.
The Limited 25th Edition gains side rocker panels with chrome-plated lower trim, commemorative badging, side mirror puddle lights that display the 25th Edition logo, a silver-finished rear lower bumper, an exclusive Portobello interior color, leather-trimmed seating with the 25th Edition logo embossed into the front headrests, and 25th Edition badging on the illuminated front doorsills, carpeted floor mats, and all-season cargo liner. The luxurious Platinum has a panoramic glass roof and front power moonroof, heated second-row seats, a 10-inch color head-up display, a digital rearview mirror with HomeLink, illuminated metal front doorsills, a rear bumper scuff plate, and adaptive LED projector headlights.
Every 2025 Highlander Hybrid has Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ installed. This suite of advanced driver aids and safety technologies consists of a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high beams. Trailer sway control and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert are also standard. The Limited and above also get front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, plus an upgraded rearview camera with dynamic gridlines. The Limited 25th Edition and Platinum are loaded with a panoramic view monitor.
Each ‘25 Highlander Hybrid is equipped with wireless versions of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth hands-free phone, SiriusXM satellite radio, and trial access to Toyota connected services. The XLE and XLE Nightshade have an 8-inch color touchscreen and a 6-speaker audio system, while the Limited and above upgrade to a 12.3-inch color touchscreen and a JBL premium audio system with a subwoofer, an amplifier, and 11 speakers. These higher trims also receive a one-year subscription to Toyota’s Drive Connect service.
