Toyota Highlander (gas): cost to run
Gas · SUV · All-Wheel Drive · EPA model year 2026
The Toyota Highlander (gas) (2026) is rated at 24 MPG by the EPA and costs about $2,600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate, 15,000 mi/yr). That is roughly 14¢ per mile at June 2026 EIA prices, or $142 to drive 1,000 miles. Tailpipe CO2 is 371 g/mi. OwnRate's transparent 5-year cost-to-own estimate is about $42,200. It ranks #54 of 70 models for lowest running cost.
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data. Data as of June 2026.
Toyota Highlander (gas) key figures
| Metric | Toyota Highlander (gas) |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Model year (latest EPA data) | 2026 |
| Body / class | SUV (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD) |
| Combined fuel economy (EPA) | 24 MPG |
| EPA estimated annual fuel cost | $2,600 / year |
| Estimated 5-year fuel cost (EPA basis) | $13,000 |
| Cost to drive 1,000 miles (at EIA prices) | $142 |
| Cost per mile (at EIA prices) | 14¢ |
| Tailpipe CO2 | 371 g/mi |
| Cheapest-to-run rank (1 = lowest of 70) | #54 |
Source: EPA / DOE FuelEconomy.gov vehicle data (2023–2027 model years); EIA prices (June 2026). Data as of June 2026.
Sources: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov · EIA gasoline · EIA electricity. EPA fuel cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr. Verify before relying on it.
What it costs to run the Toyota Highlander (gas)
The EPA's estimated annual fuel cost for the Toyota Highlander (gas) is $2,600, which is what appears on the window sticker. Using June 2026 EIA national-average prices ($3.40/gal for gasoline and $0.18/kWh for electricity) and 15,000 miles a year, OwnRate estimates about $2,125 a year, or roughly 14¢ per mile. Your real cost depends on local gas prices and how you drive.
Estimated 5-year cost to own the Toyota Highlander (gas)
Running cost is only part of ownership. Below is OwnRate's transparent 5-year estimate. The fuel/energy line uses the EPA's published annual fuel cost ($2,600 × 5). The maintenance, insurance and depreciation lines are documented assumptions by body type and powertrain — not model-specific quotes — so treat the total as a ballpark, not a price. See the methodology for the exact assumptions.
| Cost line (5 years) | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Fuel / energy (EPA 5-yr) | $13,000 |
| Maintenance & repairs (est.) | $5,200 |
| Insurance (est.) | $8,000 |
| Depreciation (est.) | $16,000 |
| Estimated 5-year cost to own | $42,200 |
Source: EPA fuel cost + OwnRate documented ownership assumptions. Data as of June 2026.
Estimate only. Depreciation, insurance and maintenance vary widely by trim, location, driver and market. Use the cost-to-own calculator to adjust the inputs.
Similar vehicles by running cost
The Toyota Highlander (gas) compared with peers in the same category, nearest on EPA annual fuel cost:
| Vehicle | Type | Efficiency | EPA fuel / yr | ¢/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander (gas) (this vehicle) | Gas | 24 MPG | $2,600 | 14¢ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe (gas) | Gas | 23 MPG | $2,700 | 15¢ |
| Kia Sportage (gas) | Gas | 26 MPG | $2,400 | 13¢ |
| Mazda CX-5 | Gas | 26 MPG | $2,400 | 13¢ |
| GMC Acadia | Gas | 22 MPG | $2,850 | 16¢ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Gas | 22 MPG | $2,850 | 16¢ |
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Toyota Highlander (gas) cost to run per year?
The EPA estimates the Toyota Highlander (gas) (2026) costs about $2,600 per year in fuel, based on 15,000 miles a year at the EPA's reference prices. At June 2026 EIA prices, OwnRate's own estimate is roughly $2,125 per year, or about 14¢ per mile. It ranks #54 of 70 models tracked for lowest running cost. Estimate — verify on FuelEconomy.gov.
What is the Toyota Highlander (gas)'s MPG?
The Toyota Highlander (gas) (2026) gets an EPA combined 24 MPG. Among non-electric models tracked here it ranks #35 of 51 by combined MPG.
How much does it cost to drive the Toyota Highlander (gas) 1,000 miles?
At June 2026 EIA average prices ($3.40/gal gasoline, $0.18/kWh electricity), driving the Toyota Highlander (gas) 1,000 miles costs about $142 in fuel — roughly 14¢ per mile. Use the fuel-cost calculator to plug in your own price and mileage.
What is the 5-year cost to own a Toyota Highlander (gas)?
OwnRate estimates the Toyota Highlander (gas) at about $42,200 over 5 years: $13,000 fuel/energy (EPA basis), plus illustrative $5,200 maintenance, $8,000 insurance and $16,000 depreciation. Only the fuel figure is EPA data; the rest are documented assumptions, not model-specific quotes — see the methodology.
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Sources & accuracy
Fuel economy, EPA annual fuel cost, electric range and CO2: EPA/DOE FuelEconomy.gov (US public domain, 2023–2027 model years). Fuel prices: EIA (June 2026). The 5-year cost-to-own combines the EPA fuel cost with OwnRate's documented ownership assumptions (see methodology) and is an estimate only — not financial advice. Verify with the primary sources and a dealer before buying.
Last updated: 2026-06-20