DecodedCars2015 Toyota Highlander
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- Hybrid Le/Xle/Limited, Le FWD, Le/Xle/Limited AWD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 231 hp
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 28 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 191.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4,244–4,784 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 54% better than the average 2015 standard SUV (18.2 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 231 hp, versus about 360 hp for similar 2015 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2015 Toyota Highlander is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 2.7L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,784 lb (Hybrid Le/Xle/Limited).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (28 city / 28 highway), 54% better than the 2015 standard SUV average of 18.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2015
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Highlander — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Highlander →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Princeton, Indiana
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 Highlander configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Le/Xle/Limited | 191.3 in | 76 in | 68.1 in | 109.8 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 4,784 lb | 55/45 |
| Le FWD | 191.3 in | 76 in | 68.1 in | 109.8 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 4,244 lb | 55/45 |
| Le/Xle/Limited AWD | 191.3 in | 76 in | 68.1 in | 109.8 in | 64.2 / 64.2 in | 4,398 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 28 / 28 | +54% | $2,400 | 319 |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 28 / 28 | +54% | $2,400 | 313 |
| Highlander 2WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 25 / 22 | -8% | $3,050 | 398 |
| Highlander 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | -12% | $3,200 | 425 |
| Highlander AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | +10% | $3,350 | 437 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.9% |
| 2015 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
Similar 2015 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Toyota Highlander (this car) | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 9 |
| 2015 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25 MPG | ★★★★★ | 9 |
| 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe | 23 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 Volkswagen Touareg | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (1)
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Mar 13, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V144000 · 110,085 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number of the EPS ECU or steering column assembly. If the number is within the affected range, the EPS ECU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Not every 2015 Toyota Highlander is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 Toyota Highlander buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 51 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Structure › Body — 25 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Steering — 25 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Toyota Highlander. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Highlander years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Highlander | 35 | 194.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 Highlander | 35 | 194.9 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 10 |
| 2024 Highlander | 36 | 194.9 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 43 |
| 2023 Highlander | 36 | 194.9 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 198 |
| 2022 Highlander | 36 | 194.9 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 272 |
| 2021 Highlander | 36 | 194.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 548 |
| 2020 Highlander | 36 | 194.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 330 |
| 2019 Highlander | 29 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 512 |
| 2018 Highlander | 29 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 276 |
| 2017 Highlander | 29 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 274 |
| 2016 Highlander | 28 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 117 |
| 2014 Highlander | 28 | 191.3 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 125 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →