The Most Fuel-Efficient Three-Row Japanese Hybrid SUV That You Can Buy In 2025
Three-row SUVs have long been the go-to choice for families who need space, comfort, and versatility. Whether it’s shuttling kids to school, running errands, or embarking on long weekend road trips, these vehicles are built to handle it all. But with rising fuel costs, efficiency has become just as important as passenger capacity.
That’s where self-charging hybrids step in, with their ability to lower fuel expenses without the requirement to do anything different, such as plugging in. The hybrid journey began around the turn of the century, with the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, and Japanese companies have led the way since. However, when it comes to Japanese three-row self-charging hybrid SUVs, the options are surprisingly limited. Only four exist, all from the same automaker. And, to make matters more interesting, two of them are nearly identical, with this particular model coming out on top.
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 Car and Driver.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Towing Jetskis
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid: Everything Confirmed So Far
Slotting in between the Toyota Sequoia and Highlander, the Grand Highlander Hybrid aims to tick many boxes for growing families.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Is The Most Efficient Three-Row Japanese SUV
The EPA Rates It At 36 MPG Combined
red 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is a special SUV that delivers an estimated 36 mpg combined in its base hybrid form, putting it in competition with some of the world’s most efficient hybrid powertrains. Its more powerful Hybrid Max variant drops to 27 mpg combined, which still puts it ahead of most gas-powered three-row SUVs.
It will get some competition from future three-row SUVs from other manufacturers, but it’s the most efficient Japanese model, mostly because other companies have chosen to go the plug-in hybrid route or opted to compete in the more lucrative compact crossover hybrid SUV segment, which makes three rows of seats a challenge.
How the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Is Ideal for Families
For families, a spacious three-row SUV like the Toyota Grand Highlander isn’t a luxury—it’s often a necessity. Daily life demands a vehicle that can handle everything from school drop-offs and grocery runs to weekend sports tournaments and carpools. With seating for up to eight and ample cargo space, a large SUV provides that flexibility.
The challenge with such larger SUVs, however, has always been fuel economy. Their size and weight typically translate to higher fuel consumption, which adds up quickly for families on the go, and hybrid technology makes a real difference by improving efficiency without sacrificing power, and sometimes even enhancing it.
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs. Competition
Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid | Audi Q7 | Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid | |
Powertrain | 2.5-liter I-4 or 2.4-liter turbo I-4 + 2 motors | 2.0-liter turbo I-4 or 3.0-liter turbo V-6 mild hybrid | 1.6-liter I-4 + 1 motor |
Transmission | Continuously variable or 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
Power | 245–362 hp | 261–335 hp | 231 hp |
Torque | 175–400 lb-ft | 273–369 lb-ft | 271 lb-ft |
Driveline | Front or all-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | Front or all-wheel drive |
Range | 464–619 miles | 450–495 miles | 602–637 miles |
Efficiency City | 26–37 mpg | 18–20 mpg | 35–36 mpg |
Efficiency Highway | 27–34 mpg | 23–26 mpg | 34–35 mpg |
Efficiency Combined | 27–36 mpg | 20–22 mpg | 34–36 mpg |
Seating | Seven | Seven | Seven |
Passenger Volume | 149–153.3 cubic feet | 138 cubic feet | 151 cubic feet |
Cargo Volume Behind Front Seats | 97.5 cubic feet | 69.6 cubic feet | 79.6 cubic feet |
Cargo Volume Behind Middle Seats | 57.9 cubic feet | 35.7 cubic feet | 40.5 cubic feet |
Cargo Volume Behind Rear Seats | 20.6 cubic feet | 14.2 cubic feet | 14.6 cubic feet |
Starting Price | $45,380 | $60,500 | $37,700 |
The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is one of the most clever, fuel-efficient SUVs, as well as the most spacious, outside of truck-framed full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. Even at its most constrictive configuration, it nearly tops its nearest rival, and outclasses the others in passenger and cargo space, at its best.
Toyota-Grand-Highlander-Hybrid Fuel Savings
How Much Gas Money You'll Save Over 5 Years With The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Grand Highlander stands out from the crowd as a three-row midsize SUV loaded with amenities, but the hybrid version is even better.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Is Part Of A Triad Of Three-Row SUVs
Toyota
In 2001, Toyota entered the three-row SUV market with the Highlander, a mid-size crossover that offered optional third-row seating by 2004. While it provided family-friendly versatility, some found its usable space constrictive, compared to competitors. After years of experimenting with various designs and models, Toyota introduced the cost-effective Grand Highlander in 2023, an elongated version built on the same GA-K platform as Highlander.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid Size Specs
Grand Highlander Hybrid | Highlander Hybrid | |
MSRP Range | $45,380–$58,775 | $46,020–$53,675 |
Length | 201.4 inches | 194.9 inches |
Wheelbase | 116.1 inches | 112.2 inches |
Width | 78.3 inches | 76 inches |
Height | 70.1 inches | 68.1 inches |
Curb Weight | 4,465–4,905 pounds | 4,515–4,595 pounds |
Seating | Seven or eight | Seven or eight |
Passenger Volume | 149–153.3 cubic feet | 136.3–139.5 cubic feet |
Cargo Volume Behind Front Seats | 97.5 cubic feet | 84.3 cubic feet |
Cargo Volume Behind Middle Seats | 57.9 cubic feet | 48.4 cubic feet |
Cargo Volume Behind Rear Seats | 20.6 cubic feet | 16 cubic feet |
Noticeably larger than the Highlander Hybrid, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offers more third-row legroom, increased cargo space, and a wider cabin for improved passenger comfort. While the Highlander may do the trick for smaller families with a need for less space, the Grand Highlander provides an adult-friendly third row, thanks to a longer wheelbase and boxier design.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs. Grand Highlander Specifications
Grand Highlander Hybrid | Grand Highlander | |
MSRP Range | $45,380–$58,775 | $39,520–$51,925 |
Powertrain | 2.5-liter I-4 or 2.4-liter turbo I-4 + 2 motors | 2.4-liter turbo inline-4 |
Transmission | Continuously variable or 6-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
Power | 245–362 hp | 265 hp |
Torque | 175–400 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
Driveline | Front or all-wheel drive | Front or all-wheel drive |
Range | 464–619 miles | 392–427 miles |
Efficiency City | 26–37 mpg | 20–21 mpg |
Efficiency Highway | 27–34 mpg | 26–28 mpg |
Efficiency Combined | 27–36 mpg | 22–24 mpg |
0-60 MPH | 5.6–7.8 seconds | 7.0 seconds |
Top Speed | 113 mph | 113 mph |
Estimated Annual Fuel Costs | $1,300–$1,750 | $1,950–$2,100 |
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) debuted in 1997 with the Prius, revolutionizing fuel efficiency by seamlessly blending gas and electric power. The 2.5-liter hybrid system in the Grand Highlander Hybrid builds on this legacy, far exceeding the ICE model’s efficiency even at its least efficient, while outperforming the ICE model.
Choices For Japanese Three-Row Hybrid SUVs Are Limited To One Company
Toyota Highlander Hybrid Side Shot
Toyota has long dominated the hybrid market, setting the standard with its HSD technology. Nowhere is this leadership more apparent than in the three-row hybrid SUV segment, where Toyota holds a complete monopoly. Of the available options, beyond Grand Highlander, all are Toyotas: the Highlander Hybrid, Sequoia, and Lexus TX 500h.
Three-Row Japanese Hybrid SUVs Comparison
Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Lexus TX 500h | Toyota Sequoia | |
Powertrain | 2.5-liter inline-4 + 3 motors | 2.4-liter turbo I-4 + 2 motors | 3.5-liter turbo V-6 + 1 motor |
Transmission | Continuously variable | Continuously variable or 6-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
Power | 243 hp | 366 hp | 437 hp |
Torque | 175 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft | 583 lb-ft |
Driveline | All-wheel drive | Front or all-wheel drive | Rear- or four-wheel drive |
Range | 598–616 miles | 481 miles | 450–495 miles |
Efficiency City | 35–36 mpg | 27 mpg | 19–21 mpg |
Efficiency Highway | 34–35 mpg | 28 mpg | 22–24 mpg |
Efficiency Combined | 35–36 mpg | 27 mpg | 20–22 mpg |
Estimated Annual Fuel Costs | $1,300–$1,350 | $2,200 | $2,100–$2,350 |
MSRP Range | $46,020–$53,675 | $70,010–$73,160 | $62,425–$83,915 |
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Offers 3-Row Space For Smaller Families
As efficient as its Grand sibling, the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a midsize three-row SUV offering a balance of efficiency and practicality for the smaller family. While its third row is tighter, it remains a solid choice for families needing occasional extra seating in a smaller footprint that’s easier to maneuver while still providing ample cargo space.
The 2025 Lexus TX 500h Is A Luxury Take On The Grand Highlander
The 2025 Lexus TX 500h is the luxury three-row SUV equivalent of the Grand Highlander. It features the 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain paired with a six-speed automatic. It prioritizes premium comfort over cargo capacity, and its estimated 27 mpg combined is more efficient than gas-only luxury SUVs while delivering strong acceleration.
The 2025 Toyota Sequoia Is A Powerful And Efficient Full-Size SUV
The 2025 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size, truck-like three-row SUV designed for the power and capability for which large SUV are renowned. It comes exclusively with the i-Force Max twin-turbo V-6 hybrid powertrain, a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 hybrid producing towing-intended power and torque, while still delivering respectable efficiency.
Red 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
What Makes The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Special
The Grand Highlander Hybrid is perhaps the most potent three-row SUV Toyota has ever built.
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Is The Most Efficient Japanese Hybrid Three-Row SUV
Toyota
In the world of three-row Japanese self-charging hybrid SUVs, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid stands out as the most well-rounded choice. With a roomy third row, expanded cargo capacity, and proven hybrid efficiency, it builds on the strengths of the Highlander Hybrid while addressing the latter’s space limitations.
Together, Highlander and Grand Highlander Hybrids dominate their segment, offering families a balance of fuel savings, practicality, and Toyota’s renowned reliability. With the Toyota Sequoia Hybrid and Lexus TX 500h they illustrate Toyota’s monopoly on the segment, as Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Subaru have chosen not to compete in this space. Instead, they focus on smaller hybrid crossovers, like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and incoming Subaru Forester and Crosstrek models, or they pursue plug-in hybrid options, such as Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV and the upcoming Nisan Rogue.
While the market for three-row hybrid SUVs seems ripe for competition, as family needs expand, Toyota remains the only brand committed to non-plug-in hybrid options in this category, and until other automakers step up, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid remains the clear front-runner for buyers who want an efficient and spacious SUV.
