U.S. vehicle reference
2020 Toyota Highlander MPG, Fuel Cost and Recalls
2020 Toyota Highlander MPG and annual fuel cost by engine, with EPA ratings and NHTSA recall records below.
At a glance
2020 Toyota Highlander reference
Use the summary to orient yourself, then open the exact engine, drivetrain and source record below.
2020 Toyota Highlander MPG by engine and drivetrain
EPA combined ratings run from 23 to 36 mpg across 6 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
| Engine / transmission | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cylinderAutomatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,650 | 386 g/mi |
| 3.5L 6-cylinderAutomatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,550 | 372 g/mi |
| 3.5L 6-cylinderAutomatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,650 | 387 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 36 mpg | 35 mpg | 36 mpg | $1,700 | 245 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 35 mpg | 35 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,750 | 254 g/mi |
| 2.5L 4-cylinderAutomatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive · Regular Gasoline | 35 mpg | 34 mpg | 35 mpg | $1,750 | 251 g/mi |
Annual fuel figures are the EPA snapshot at the source date. The calculator below uses the separately dated fuel-price record and your inputs, so the estimates may differ.
2020 Toyota Highlander annual fuel cost calculator
Start with the combined MPG for 3.5L 6-cylinder, Automatic (S8), Front-Wheel Drive. Replace it with your measured gas mileage and local pump price for a personal budget.
Formula annual miles ÷ MPG × gasoline price
Fuel cost per mile equals gasoline price divided by MPG. Multiply by your annual mileage for a yearly fuel budget. Add maintenance to estimate cost per mile.
2020 Toyota Highlander recall campaigns
NHTSA returned 4 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
AIR BAGS · 20V633000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats and replace the seat trim covers as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB14 / 20TA14.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY · 20V162000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECU, free of charge. The recall began May 15, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA06.
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS · 23V720000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Highlander & Highlander Hybrid vehicles. During normal vehicle operation, minor impact to the front lower bumper cover may result in the cover coming loose or detaching.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace the upper and lower front bumper covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 22, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB12/23TA12.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION · 23V865000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
2020 Toyota Highlander NHTSA safety ratings
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV AWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2020 Toyota HIGHLANDER SUV FWD | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2020 Toyota Highlander gas mileage?
EPA combined ratings run from 23 to 36 mpg across 6 configurations. Match the engine, transmission and drivetrain in the table before comparing fuel costs.
Are these real-world MPG figures for the Highlander?
These are EPA ratings, not owner-reported mileage. Use your measured MPG in the calculator to estimate your own fuel budget. The configuration table keeps city, highway and combined ratings separate.
Does the 2020 Toyota Highlander have recalls?
NHTSA returned 4 model-level campaign records as of 2026-09-04. A campaign record does not establish whether your vehicle is affected or whether a repair is outstanding. Check your VIN through NHTSA.
Does annual fuel cost include servicing or insurance?
No. The EPA cost and the calculator cover fuel only. Use the cost-per-mile calculator to add a maintenance allowance. Insurance, depreciation, finance costs and registration are separate ownership expenses.
Compare similar vehicles
Sources and record dates
U.S. EPA FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataset Accessed 2026-09-05U.S. EIA public gasoline price table Accessed 2026-09-05NHTSA Recalls API Accessed 2026-09-04NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API Accessed 2026-09-05Last updated