I drove Toyota's $55,000 Highlander Hybrid. It's an efficient and well-made family SUV, but lacks power and space.

Benjamin ZhangOct 3, 2024, 03:49 IST

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Toyota Highlander is one of the best-selling three-row family SUVs in the US.</li><li>I was impressed by its efficient hybrid powertrain, well-designed cabin, and strong build quality.</li></ul>For much of its existence, the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-oyota-highlander-suv-features-photos-verdict-2020-10">Toyota Highlander</a> was a unicorn as the only three-row, midsize family SUV available as a hybrid.But a number of hybrid and battery-electric options have come onto the market in recent years, such as the Mazda CX-90 PHEV and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kia-ev9-review-high-tech-family-suv-range-price-2024-8">Kia EV9</a>.Despite the growing competition, the fourth-generation Highlander, which debuted in late 2019, remains extremely popular with consumers. Sales took a 24% dip in 2023, due in large part to the introduction of the bigger Grand Highlander. Yet Toyota still managed to move nearly 170,000 Highlanders off dealership lots, outselling rivals like the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/honda-pilot-review-family-suv-bare-bones-price-tech-engine-2024-8">Honda Pilot,</a> <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hyundai-palisade-review-luxury-family-suv-cool-tech-safety-features-2024-6">Hyundai Palisade</a>, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subaru-ascent-suv-review-great-family-suv-safety-tech-2024-5">Subaru Ascent</a>.

I recently spent a week with an all-wheel-drive 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum around the streets of suburban Atlanta.

The 2024 Highlander Hybrid.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came to $55,478.

The Highlander Hybrid.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The biggest update for 2024 is the addition of a Nightshade trim.

A 2024 Toyota Highlander Nightshade.Toyota

Aside of the addition of the Nightshade trim, the Highlander entered 2024 with minimal styling changes.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Out back, the Highlander Platinum comes standard with a hands-free powerlift gate.

The Highlander's liftgate.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Platinum trim comes with 20-inch alloys.

The Highlander Hybrid's 20-inch wheels.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Highlander is one of the smaller three-row midsize SUVs.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Highlander's hybrid system consists of a 2.5-liter engine paired with 3 electric motors.

The Highlander's hybrid power unit.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The experience of driving the Highlander Hybrid is a bit of a mixed bag.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's front seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The interior of my Highlander Hybrid Platinum test car was impressive.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's front dash.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car was covered in soft, rich tan leather that felt fit for a Lexus.

The Highlander Hybrid's heated and ventilated leather front seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Highlander's steering wheel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, the Highlander comes with a digital instrument display.

The Highlander Hybrid's digital instrument display.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Platinum-grade Highlanders come with a head-up display.

The Highlander Hybrid's HUD.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The focal point of the Highlander's front dash is its 12.3-inch touchscreen.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's front dash and center console.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Platinum trim comes with an upgraded JBL sound that sounded terrific.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's JBL sound system.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Highlander offers a myriad of charging options.

The Highlander's charging options.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The center console is home to the shifter and controls for various drive modes.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's center console.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Platinum trim Highlander is equipped with a digital rearview mirror, which is handy when visibility out of the rear windshield is obscured.

The Highlander Hybrid's rear vision camera and panoramic mirror.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I'm a big fan of the large panoramic view moonroof.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's cabin.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

All Highlanders except the base trim come with second-row captain's chairs.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's second-row captain's chairs.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Highlander's third row is one of the smallest in the segment.

The Highlander Hybrid Platinum's third-row bench.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open the rear liftgate and you'll find 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

The Highlander Hybrid's cargo compartment.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

There is also an underfloor compartment for additional storage behind the third-row.

The Highlander Hybrid's underfloor storage area.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Highlander Hybrid comes standard with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver's assistance tech.

The Highlander Hybrid's radar sensor is located behind the logo. Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My Verdict: The Toyota Highlander Hybrid excels at efficiency and build quality but falls short in performance, refinement, and space.

The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

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I drove Toyota's $55,000 Highlander Hybrid. It's an efficient and well-made family SUV, but lacks power and space.

I recently spent a week with an all-wheel-drive 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum around the streets of suburban Atlanta.

My test car came to $55,478.

The biggest update for 2024 is the addition of a Nightshade trim.

Aside of the addition of the Nightshade trim, the Highlander entered 2024 with minimal styling changes.

Out back, the Highlander Platinum comes standard with a hands-free powerlift gate.

The Platinum trim comes with 20-inch alloys.

The Highlander is one of the smaller three-row midsize SUVs.

The Highlander's hybrid system consists of a 2.5-liter engine paired with 3 electric motors.

The experience of driving the Highlander Hybrid is a bit of a mixed bag.

The interior of my Highlander Hybrid Platinum test car was impressive.

My test car was covered in soft, rich tan leather that felt fit for a Lexus.

In front of the driver is a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Instead of a traditional gauge cluster, the Highlander comes with a digital instrument display.

Platinum-grade Highlanders come with a head-up display.

The focal point of the Highlander's front dash is its 12.3-inch touchscreen.

The Platinum trim comes with an upgraded JBL sound that sounded terrific.

The Highlander offers a myriad of charging options.

The center console is home to the shifter and controls for various drive modes.

The Platinum trim Highlander is equipped with a digital rearview mirror, which is handy when visibility out of the rear windshield is obscured.

I'm a big fan of the large panoramic view moonroof.

All Highlanders except the base trim come with second-row captain's chairs.

The Highlander's third row is one of the smallest in the segment.

Open the rear liftgate and you'll find 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

There is also an underfloor compartment for additional storage behind the third-row.

The Highlander Hybrid comes standard with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver's assistance tech.

My Verdict: The Toyota Highlander Hybrid excels at efficiency and build quality but falls short in performance, refinement, and space.