40/100
2013Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDRegular

2013 Toyota Highlander 2WD

EPA ID: 33231
20
City MPG
22
Combined MPG
22MPG· Average
25
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 2013 Toyota Highlander 2WD achieves an EPA-estimated 22 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 2.7L 4-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (s6), this small sport utility vehicle 2wd features Front-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 2013 Highlander 2WD produces approximately 400 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 2WD has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $2,700, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $2,750 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 ClassSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel TypeRegular
Engine2.7L 4-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions400 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score5/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$2,700
5-Year Cost DeltaSave $2,750

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
22.0
Impact vs EPA
+$2
/ year
💨

The Brick Effect: Highway Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Because the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD 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
$561/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
$13,860
41.2%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$11,932
35.5%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$7,459
22.2%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
1.2%
Total 5-Year Cost$33,651

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #14V148000·2014-05-21
critical
Component: SEATS

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2013 Highlander vehicles manufactured March 13, 2013, through August 6, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the second row left hand seat may not lock in place when positioned in the forward front or second adjusting position. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: If the seat does not lock into the seat track, there may be an increased risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will modify the second row left hand seat so that it will lock into the seat track, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign #13V123000·2013-05-28
critical
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Campaign #13V014000·2013-03-21
critical
Component: SEATS

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

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 2WD configurations.

View Model History

Similar 2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD Alternatives

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$2,700
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Save $2,750

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

Efficiency Breakdown

City20 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Combined22 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

80.0 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 99 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 6.7 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.