2016 Toyota Highlander MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Toyota Highlander gets up to 22 mpg combined with a gas engine and up to 28 mpg as a hybrid, across 5 EPA-tested versions.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Toyota Highlander · 5 EPA-tested versions

Best gas version

22MPG combined

20 city 25 highway

$2,850 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score5/10

2.7L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best hybrid version

28MPG combined

27 city 28 highway

$2,200 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

3.5L 6-cyl hybrid · AWD · CVT

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,200 to $3,100 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2015.

One of the best Highlander years by owner complaints

The 2016 drew 49 owner complaints in its first three years, against 114 for a typical Highlander year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.

No Highlander year stands out enough to avoid; best years: 2016 and 2017. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Highlander year ranked The 2016 Highlander's recalls and problems

Every 2016 Highlander version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
Hybrid
3.5L 6-cyl hybrid · AWD · CVT Best EPA listing: Highlander Hybrid AWD	28 mpg	27 / 28	$2,200
3.5L 6-cyl hybrid · AWD · CVT · LE Plus EPA listing: Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus	28 mpg	28 / 28	$2,200
Gas
2.7L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Highlander 2WD	22 mpg	20 / 25	$2,850
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Highlander 2WD	21 mpg	19 / 25	$2,950
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Highlander AWD	20 mpg	18 / 24	$3,100

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
3.5L 6-cyl hybrid · AWD · CVT	$2,143	$179	$10,714
3.5L 6-cyl hybrid · AWD · CVT · LE Plus	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.7L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,727	$227	$13,636
3.5L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,857	$238	$14,286
3.5L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,000	$250	$15,000

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Does the hybrid pay for itself? See the payback for every model sold both ways.

Toyota Highlander MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 22 to 25 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2023. Hybrid: 26 to 36 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2020.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2016: gas 22 mpg · hybrid 28 mpg

Show as a table

Toyota Highlander best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	22	26
2011	22	28
2012	22	28
2013	22	28
2014	22	28
2015	22	28
2016	22	28
2017	23	29
2018	23	29
2019	23	29
2020	24	36
2021	24	36
2022	24	36
2023	25	36
2024	25	36
2025	25	35
2026	24	35

Every Highlander year's ratings in one table

How the 2016 Highlander compares

2016 midsize SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Lexus RX Best: hybrid	30 mpg	23 mpg	$2,600
Nissan Murano Best: hybrid	29 mpg	24 mpg	$2,150
Toyota Highlander This page Best: hybrid	28 mpg	22 mpg	$2,200
Jeep Grand Cherokee Best: diesel	25 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Kia Sorento Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Ford Edge Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Mazda CX-9 Best: gas	24 mpg	24 mpg	$2,600
Honda Pilot Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Hyundai Santa Fe Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Nissan Pathfinder Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Ford Explorer Best: gas	22 mpg	22 mpg	$2,850
Dodge Durango Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$2,950
Chevrolet Traverse Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,450
GMC Acadia Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,450
Buick Enclave Best: gas	18 mpg	18 mpg	$3,450

2016 Highlander recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 117 owner complaints for the 2016 Highlander.

Owners most often describe a shattered sunroof (7 complaints, 6%). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2016 Highlander recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2016 Toyota Highlander's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 3.5L 6-cyl gets 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 20 with AWD.

How much fuel does the 2016 Highlander hybrid save?

Comparing AWD or 4WD versions at EPA's assumptions (15,000 miles a year, $4.00 a gallon), the hybrid costs $2,200 a year to fuel against $3,100 for the gas model: $900 a year, or $4,500 over five years.

Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Toyota Highlander version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 Highlander's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 22 mpg, the same as the year before and the best hybrid version is rated 28 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.