2026 Toyota Highlander: More Power, More Efficiency with Hybrid Powertrains

What’s new

For the 2026 Highlander redesign, the lineup may adopt only hybrid powertrains. New and expanded technology features and an updated design should also be part of the model reset.

Highlander’s hybrid powertrain

If the Highlander does indeed become hybrid-only for the 2026 redesign, Toyota already has the powertrain in place. The previous generation setup combined a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to make a total of 243 hp – not a lot, but usable. AWD fuel economy was a good 35/35 mpg city/highway, especially since this is a big SUV. It seems like porting this powertrain directly would be the easiest thing to do.

A second hybrid powertrain

To make the Highlander a bit more upmarket and expand its capability, Toyota could offer a second, more powerful hybrid setup as an upgrade. The automaker has both inline four-cylinder and V-6-based systems, so the only real question might be which one to use.

The full-size Sequoia’s 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 with an electric motor making 437 hp would be extremely impressive in the Highlander, especially since the model previously ran a V-6. However, output might be too much of a jump from the base model.

The Grand Highlander’s Hybrid Max powertrain seems a more logical candidate. The big three-row SUV’s upgrade comes with a 2.4-liter turbo-four and motors that make up to 362 hp. If the Highlander also makes the same amount of torque, 400 lb-ft, it will almost certainly improve driveability and could boost towing capacity.

It’s unlikely that Toyota will offer a plug-in hybrid Highlander. The automaker has plug-in versions of the Prius and RAV4, both of which have over 40 miles of all-electric range.

Improving space

We don’t think the Highlander Hybrid can get very big, as there’s already a closely related larger model, the Grand Highlander Hybrid. We praised the previous-generation Highlander for its spaciousness and excellent packaging, especially since there were no space constraints thanks to being a hybrid (some hybrids’ underfloor batteries can cut into cabin space). This also means the third row will likely still be on the small side.

Interior dimensions for the 2026 model should be nearly identical to the previous model year. This should give the new model more second-row legroom and standard cargo capacity (behind the second row) than the 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid.