2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: A Great Hybrid SUV

The planet is doomed unless we change our ways quickly, so say all the world’s climate experts. And I will admit that I still like to drive cars that use gasoline, but hybrids are indeed a good compromise. So a good hybrid to consider for your next purchase is the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, a midsize SUV with plenty of room for your day-to-day needs, however defined. 

This hybrid has a comfortable ride, as a non-clunky, easy to get-in and get-out-of and enjoy wherever you are and whatever you are doing. There is plenty of room inside for all your passengers and stuff.  No need to plan ahead with a tape measure (not that I ever have).

U.S. News and World Report really likes the Highlander Hybrid, naming it Best Hybrid of 2022. And there’s many good reasons for such high praise.

I had it as my car around Dallas at Texas Bear Round Up; The Bronze Edition, to be exact. 

Starting at $39,055 US for the base LE trim, the 2022 Highlander hybrid gets an average 36 mpg. With the seats down, you will get just a little over 84 cubic feet of cargo space. 

(Yes, there is a third row of seats, but use cautiously.)

Standard features are generous: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, power liftgate, 18-inch wheels, keyless entry and ignition, 8-way power-adjusted driver’s seat, 3-zone climate control, LED headlights and fog lights, five USB ports, six-speaker audio and Amazon Alexa compatibility. And other fun stuff. 

Standard safety is also impressive: automatic high-beam assist, road-sign assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.

The Bronze Edition that I drove is one of the XLE higher-end trims and has all kinds of bronze-colored snazzy touches. It looked great as I was shuttling Bears back and forth between the hotel and Cedar Springs and other Bear events, and other venues.

Much like any other SUV, this is one you will want to design as your own, and that will mean the price will go up as you pick and choose what you want. So, just know that as you shop.

Also – hang in there, as this car market and all markets get even more unpredictable as 2022 continues. Who knows what will transpire as we approach Cinco de Mayo.

Hold onto your sizzling meats. Things will no doubt get a lot hotter.