The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander gets 22 to 36 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid at 36 mpg; the best regular gas version is the 2026 Grand Highlander LE/XLE (4-cyl 2.4 L) at 24 mpg.
In the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Grand Highlander ranks 2nd of 58 for combined mileage (34 mpg), 2nd of 55 for yearly fuel cost ($1,850 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 10th of 58 for tailpipe CO2 (260 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 21 mpg, costs $3,500 a year and puts out 426 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 24 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Grand Highlander's best version, 4 other models get the same and 206 get less. The 2026 Grand Highlander's cheapest version costs $1,750 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 23 cost less, 3 the same and 199 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Toyota Highlander | 2026 Highlander Hybrid AWD | 35 | $1,800 | 253 |
| 2 | 2026 Toyota Grand HighlanderThis car | 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L) | 34 | $1,850 | 260 |
| 3 | 2026 Hyundai Palisade | 2026 Palisade Hybrid AWD | 29 | $2,150 | 300 |
| 4 | 2026 Lexus TX | 2026 TX 500h AWD | 27 | $2,850 | 322 |
| 4 | 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander | 2026 Outlander PHEV | 27 | - | 97 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Grand Highlander LE/XLE, 4-cyl 2.4 L: 21 mpg city, 28 highway, 24 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Grand Highlander version is $2,600 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Highlander costs $786 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Highlander costs $3,930 less to fuel than the Grand Highlander (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Grand Highlander (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Grand Highlander | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 2026 Highlander Hybrid AWD | 35 mpg | $1,800 | 1 lower | $50 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Hyundai Palisade | 2026 Palisade Hybrid AWD | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 7 lower | $400 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Lexus TX | 2026 TX 500h AWD | 27 mpg | $2,850 | 9 lower | $1,100 more a year | - |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Grand Highlander HybridHybrid | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-wheel | 37 | 34 | 36 | $1,750 | 246 | cheapest |
| 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L)Hybrid | 4-cyl 2.5 L | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-wheel | 36 | 32 | 34 | $1,850 | 260 | +$100 |
| 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD (4-cyl 2.4 L)Hybrid | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (S6) | All-wheel | 26 | 27 | 27 | $2,300 | 332 | +$550 |
| 2026 Grand Highlander LE/XLE | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (S8) | Front-wheel | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 371 | +$850 |
| 2026 Grand Highlander Limited | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (S8) | Front-wheel | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 366 | +$850 |
| 2026 Grand Highlander AWD LE/XLE | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 | 379 | +$950 |
| 2026 Grand Highlander AWD Limited/Platinum | 4-cyl 2.4 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 400 | +$1,100 |
The cheapest-to-run hybrid, the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid (36 mpg, $1,750 a year), costs $850 a year less in fuel than the cheapest-to-run gas version, the 2026 Grand Highlander LE/XLE (24 mpg, $2,600 a year).
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Grand Highlander; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid puts out 246 grams per mile; across the 7 tested versions the figure runs from 246 to 400.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid: fuel economy score 7 (4 to 7 across versions), greenhouse gas score 7 (4 to 7 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Grand Highlander gas version and hybrid each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 8 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 7 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 24 mpg | 36 mpg | 7 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 7 versions were tested then and 7 now; the best figure went from 36 to 36 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid, 4-cyl 2.5 L | 36 mpg | 36 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L), 4-cyl 2.5 L | 34 mpg | 34 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD (4-cyl 2.4 L), 4-cyl 2.4 L | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Grand Highlander LE/XLE, 4-cyl 2.4 L | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Grand Highlander Limited, 4-cyl 2.4 L | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Grand Highlander AWD LE/XLE, 4-cyl 2.4 L | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Grand Highlander AWD Limited/Platinum, 4-cyl 2.4 L | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | no change |
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER SUV N/A AWD | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV HEV AWD | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 0 complaints, 0 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: GRAND HIGHLANDER, GRAND HIGHLANDER HYBRID.
The U.S. safety agency's model list has the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (as GRAND HIGHLANDER, GRAND HIGHLANDER HYBRID). The U.S. safety agency's database returned no complaints for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander on 2026-11-14.
Includes agency records filed under: GRAND HIGHLANDER, GRAND HIGHLANDER HYBRID.
4 recalls are on file for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: GRAND HIGHLANDER, GRAND HIGHLANDER HYBRID.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX350, RX500 Hybrid, TX500 Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2026.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX Plug-In Hybrid, TX Hybrid, TX, Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Grand Highlander vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle carrier sub-assembly code, and replace the sub-assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2026.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 ...
Fix: Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 26, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models.
Fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Grand Highlander itself is at 34 mpg.
More Toyota models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid with 36 mpg combined (37 city, 34 highway). Among the regular gas versions it is the 2026 Grand Highlander LE/XLE at 24 mpg.
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander costs between $1,750 and $2,850 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid at $1,750; the dearest is the 2026 Grand Highlander AWD Limited/Platinum at $2,850. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD (4-cyl 2.5 L): 34 mpg combined (36 city, 32 highway); 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid AWD (4-cyl 2.4 L): 27 mpg combined (26 city, 27 highway); 2026 Grand Highlander AWD LE/XLE: 23 mpg combined (21 city, 27 highway); 2026 Grand Highlander AWD Limited/Platinum: 22 mpg combined (20 city, 26 highway).
In the agency's tests the best hybrid, the 2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid, gets 36 mpg combined and the best non-hybrid, the 2026 Grand Highlander LE/XLE, gets 24 mpg: 12 mpg more for the hybrid.
The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander is 2nd of 58 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Highlander at 35 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 21 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Toyota Highlander at 35 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Hyundai Palisade at 29 mpg.
The 2025 model had 7 tested versions and the 2026 model has 7. The best figure went from 36 to 36 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER SUV N/A AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUV HEV AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.
No complaints were returned for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander on 2026-11-14.
The agency's database lists 4 recalls for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.