MPGTerminal
36/100
2003Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WDRegular

2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD

EPA ID: 19242
17
City MPG
19
Combined MPG
19MPG· Below Avg
22
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD achieves an EPA-estimated 19 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine paired with a automatic 4-spd, this sport utility vehicle - 4wd features 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 2003 Highlander 4WD produces approximately 468 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Highlander 4WD has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $3,150, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $5,000 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel TypeRegular
Engine2.4L 4-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Drive Type4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions468 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score-1/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$3,150
5-Year Cost DeltaSave $5,000

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG
18.9
Impact vs EPA
+$9
/ year
💨

The Brick Effect: Highway Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Because the Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD has a large frontal area, expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by up to 25% at high speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost
$634/mo
Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.
15,000 mi
Value Depreciation
Est. value lost over 60 months
$14,700
38.6%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$13,816
36.3%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$9,125
24.0%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.1%
Total 5-Year Cost$38,041

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #04V181000·2004-05-07
advisory
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE A CHILD PROTECTION LOCK (CPL) SYSTEM ON BOTH OF THE REAR SIDE DOORS. WHEN AN OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE CLOSES THE DOOR VERY HARD WITH THE CPL LEVER SET TO THE LOCK POSITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEVER MAY CONTACT THE BODY PANEL, CAUSING THE CPL LEVER TO MOVE INTO THE UNLOCK POSITION.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE DOOR TO BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE WHILE THE OPERATOR BELIEVES THAT THE CPL WAS ACTIVATED. IF THE DOOR WERE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT AND BE INJURED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SHORTEN THE CPL LEVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign #02V339000·
moderate
Component: WHEELS

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FIVE FACTORY ALLOY WHEELS (MODEL 6934 AND 6936), WITH FACTORY LLAT, AND WITH PORT INSTALLED WR4, FOUR ALLOY WHEEL UPGRADE PROCESSED AT THE JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA PORT AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA, WHEN THE VEHICLES WERE PROCESSED AT THE PORT, AN ALLOY TIRE/WHEEL UPGRADE WAS INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDED 4 ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/ALLOY WHEEL WAS NOT CHANGED. THE SPARE TIRE REQUIRES THE USE OF A DIFFERENT STYLE OF WHEEL NUT TO ATTACH IT TO THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: IF THE SPARE TIRE/WHEEL IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE USING THE WHEEL NUTS PROVIDED FOR THE UPGRADE ALLOY WHEEL, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL COULD RESULT AND COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LOOSE WHEEL.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DIFFERENT STYLE LUG NUTS, A WARNING LABEL FOR THE SPARE RE/ALLOY WHEEL, AND AN OWNER'S MANUAL ADDENDUM.

Loading live complaint data...

Looking for comprehensive historical data?

NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all Toyota Highlander 4WD configurations.

View Model History

Similar 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD Alternatives

2003 Jeep Liberty/Cherokee 4WD

2.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

19MPG
City: 17Hwy: 22$3,150/yr

2003 Saturn Vue AWD

3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

19MPG
City: 17Hwy: 23$3,150/yr

2003 Volvo XC70 AWD

2.5L 5-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

19MPG
City: 16Hwy: 23$3,650/yr

2003 Buick Rendezvous AWD

3.4L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

18MPG
City: 16Hwy: 22$3,300/yr

2003 Ford Escape 4WD

3L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

18MPG
City: 16Hwy: 21$3,300/yr

2003 Honda Element 4WD

2.4L 4-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

20MPG
City: 19Hwy: 23$3,000/yr

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$3,150
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Save $5,000

Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.

Efficiency Breakdown

City17 MPG
Highway22 MPG
Combined19 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

93.5 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 116 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 7.8 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.