2026 head-to-head · Midsize & Large SUV
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid
MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $999 a year to fuel (92 MPGe), versus $1,329 for the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (35 MPG). That's roughly $330 a year, or about $1,648 over five years.
Your numbers
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Fuel cost over 10 years
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Side by side
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| $999 | Your annual fuel cost | $1,329 |
| 92 MPGe | Combined efficiency | 35 MPG |
| 103 MPGe | City | 35 MPG |
| 81 MPGe | Highway | 34 MPG |
| 37 kWh | Electricity use (kWh/100 mi) | — |
| 335 mi | Driving range | — |
| 0 g/mi | Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) | 253 g/mi |
| 9/10 | EPA fuel economy score | 6/10 |
| 10/10 | EPA greenhouse gas score | 6/10 |
| 11.7 hrs | Charge time at 240V | — |
| Electric | Powertrain | Hybrid |
| Electricity | Fuel | Regular gasoline |
| Electric motor (160 kW) | Engine / motor | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Single-speed | Transmission | CVT |
| RWD | Drivetrain | AWD |
✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.
Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid across model years
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.
How they differ
Among 91 2026 midsize & large SUVs, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 ranks 14th and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 20th for lowest fuel cost.
Because the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is fully electric, it has no tailpipe emissions and its running cost depends almost entirely on your electricity rate. Cheap overnight home charging widens its advantage over the Toyota Highlander Hybrid; relying on DC fast chargers can erase it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 or the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Measured by cost to drive, the Hyundai Ioniq 9. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is rated 92 MPGe combined and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 35 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).
How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs. the Toyota Highlander Hybrid per year?
At 15,000 miles a year with 18¢/kWh electricity and $3.10/gal regular gas, about $999 for the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and $1,329 for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
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