2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Hybrid |
| Base Price | $33,634–$43,030 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at 7.9/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this hybrid. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.7/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 8.7/10, reliability is one of this hybrid's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The 8.6/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.6/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $33,634–$43,030, 29 MPG, seating 7, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid sits in the mid-market bracket of the hybrid segment. The 7.9/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a solid, well-rounded hybrid that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid ranks #111 of 135 hybrids in the Carivo database — better than 19% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 8.2/10. Its $33,634 starting price is about 6% above the segment's median of $31,584.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Hybrid ranking → · Best Hybrids under $35k →
Across the Highlander Hybrid model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.3/10 | $43,852 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.3/10 | $43,852 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.2/10 | $42,575 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.1/10 | $41,297 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.0/10 | $40,020 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.0/10 | $38,743 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.0/10 | $37,466 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.9/10 | $36,188 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.0/10 | $34,911 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $33,634 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Equipment 23/08/2017 · 17V520000 | Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2017 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles equipped with accessory roof rail cross bars. The fasteners for the roof rails may not be torqued properly. |
|---|---|
| Tires / Temporary/emergency spare tire 02/05/2017 · 17V295000 | Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's reliability 8.7/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #111 of 135 hybrids in our database (better than 19% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $33,634 and ranges up to $43,030 across trims (MSRP when new). At 29 MPG, expect roughly $1,810/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
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