The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is one of the most popular and efficient three-row SUVs on the market, offering up to 36 mpg combined and seating for up to eight passengers. For the 2024 model year, Toyota is adding a new Nightshade Edition to the Highlander Hybrid lineup, giving it a darker and more aggressive look. The Nightshade Edition is available on the LE and XLE trims and comes with a range of blacked-out exterior and interior features. Here's what you need to know about the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Nightshade.
What's New for the 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Nightshade?
The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Nightshade is based on the fourth-generation Highlander Hybrid that debuted in 2020. The hybrid powertrain remains unchanged, consisting of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that deliver a combined output of 243 horsepower. The Highlander Hybrid can be had with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to optimize efficiency. The FWD models achieve an EPA-rated 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, while the AWD models get 35 mpg in both scenarios. These numbers are impressive for a large SUV that can accommodate up to eight people and tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The cosmetic treatment is the main difference between the Nightshade Edition and the regular Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The Nightshade Edition features black side mirrors, door handles, a grille, exterior badging, a shark fin antenna, and a rear spoiler. It also rides on black-painted 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. The color choices for the Nightshade Edition are Cement, Wind Chill Pearl, Ruby Flare Pearl, and Midnight Black Metallic.
Inside, the Nightshade Edition comes with black cloth seats on the LE trim or synthetic leather seats with silver stitching and embossed fabric inserts on the XLE trim. The XLE trim also adds heated front seats, a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, wireless device charging, a hands-free power liftgate, a power moonroof, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Both trims come with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, five USB ports, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The XLE trim has the option of upgrading to a 12.3-inch touchscreen that we found to be easy to use and responsive.
The Nightshade Edition also comes with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ suite of driver-assist features, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, road sign assist, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear seat reminder.
How Much Does It Cost?
The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Nightshade starts at $43,115 for the LE trim and $46,265 for the XLE trim (both prices include a $1,395 destination charge). Adding all-wheel drive costs an extra $600 on either trim. The Nightshade Edition is $1,000 more expensive than the regular Highlander Hybrid LE and XLE trims, which start at $42,115 and $45,265, respectively.
The Nightshade Edition is not available on the higher-end Limited and Platinum trims of the Highlander Hybrid, which start at $49,065 and $52,365, respectively. These trims offer more luxury features such as leather seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, JBL premium sound system, head-up display, surround-view camera system, panoramic sunroof, and adaptive headlights.
