2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Matt AVLNC on March 6, 2024

We have owned our 2012 Highlander Hybrid Limited for almost 12 years now. It consistently gets 28 mpg, which is STILL (12 years later) impressive for a mid-sized SUV. The car has taken us all over the US as a military family and has never disappointed. We now are living in WNC with lots of winding roads and the Highlander, although not a Porshe, Tesla, or Subaru WRX, performs amazingly well in turns. I would say that the only thing that is a slight negative are the two 3rd row seats: they are fine for a short drive or for small kids (under 70 lbs), but not made for adults or teenagers. We have only done regular maintenance (regular oil changes, tire changes about every 40k miles, and wiper blades about the same interval) to the vehicle and changed out the windshield once due to a rock thrown from a dump truck. This is an excellent vehicle and one of the most reliable gas or hybrid vehicles on the market today. I would not hesitate to buy another Highlander Hybrid.

jerseyhigh on June 29, 2020

Great resale value. This car lasts for a lot of miles upto 300k easily. Drives great and save on gas too. I would buy this SUV again and again

DWF on March 25, 2020

Bought this used. I've driven about 10k miles, all around town. I am very deliberate with the gas pedal and I am getting 30+ mpg around town on mid-grade gas. It is the most comfortable car I've ever driven. I get all kinds of compliments from passengers. Hybrid is outstanding. Limited trim with leather is great. AWD is flawless in the snow. We're planning on trading in on a new one soon. We have a leased 2018 Lexus 450h F Sport, which stays parked while we drive the Highlander. My only reservation is that the third row, which I rarely use, is a little tight. I understand the new model has increased room. This is Toyota quality and is a great vehicle.

LeoMac on March 15, 2020

It was an amazing family car. It is really comfortable and wonderful to drive. It has everything a big family could ever need/want. It is great for road trips.

DarknStormynStillShiny on December 24, 2019

This is a pretty big vehicle, even considering all of the ridiculously bloated SUVs out there. This is a third vehicle for a two-car family. I'd been looking for a truck or SUV of some sort for all of the tasks our other two cars could not handle, and also a family vehicle with space for road trips. I'd looked at everything from Ford pickups with a couple hundred thousand miles on them to small hybrids like the Chevy Volt as a new daily driver to crossovers from foreign makers. Nothing really made sense. After looking for good cargo capacity in hybrids, the Toyota Highlander came up. Finally: available power, space to haul almost anything, a factory tow package, loads of interior space, a third row that doesn't make you want to apologize to any poor creature forced to inhabit it for more than five minutes, media upgrades for DVDs (and more!) for my passengers, and a beautiful overall appearance. I'd owned an Acura MDX previously and had been missing it, sorely, for years. The MDX was a little trucky, very sporty, and as luxurious an automobile as I could expect. CHEWED THROUGH GAS, even when driven conservatively. This Highlander, though, will give you whatever you give it. Want power? SLAM IT. Want fuel efficiency? Go easy and coast when you can. Want cargo space? All four seats fold down easily from the rear lift gate. Want seating? Fold em all back up. Want stuff for your kids to futz around with? DVD player in the roof, IR headphones, their own climate control, a couple of options for the center console, and more. It's not trucky, but not too mushy. It's got plenty of go. It's sure-footed. It's comfy and cozy and a mile wide. The new ones (2020) look great, but this 2012 is my year, and there's nothing I don't like yet.

Ravengrl66 on October 15, 2019

Maintains easy, and has been minimal... love this car, she is a champ. 7 years and still going strong. In 7 years with just regular check ups, maintance, I only recently had to get new brakes and have the ball bearings greased..

ID Ras on April 14, 2019

Hybrid was great but too expensive to repair. AWD is a must. We replaced it with a newer gas version, a FWD and are very sorry we did. Space was great, design was overall very good. Its too bad you have to get navigation as part of the package we bought - Toyota navigation is so user unfriendly. Why can't these manufacturers just contract with Garmin...$100 Garmin is 100x better than the $1500 Toyota GPS.

ChrisRN2travel on October 15, 2018

Hybrid and loaded...This car is beautiful inside and out. Comfortable leather heated seats, every amenity I could ever want including multi-CD, XM radio, DVD player, electronic seat adjustments, moon roof, independent heating and cooling for driver and passenger and rear, solid and dependable, 7 passenger, roof rack, tinted windows...

MC on October 4, 2017

The only reason I'm selling is because I bought a new one, I love this vehicle! I recommend this vehicle to anyone that wants the versatility of an SUV and the economy of a hybrid.

Kross on September 7, 2017

Excellent for hauling people and things and saving on gas. Wonderful road tripping vehicle as a family of 5.