If you’re in the market for a used hybrid SUV, U.S. News & World Report recommends looking no further than the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Not only did it rank first on its ‘Best Used Hybrid SUVs under $30K for 2020’ but it also ranked number one in its list of ‘2009 Hybrid SUVs.’ It landed the second spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of ‘Used Midsize SUVs under $20K’ too. But those aren’t the only reasons to put the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at the top of your list. 

The 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a lot going for it

When it first came out, the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was regarded as an excellent family hauler that offered the perfect balance between a hybrid powertrain and a quality interior. “Everything we like about the regular Highlander is present in the hybrid version: excellent interior versatility, a strong powerplant, carlike refinement, and a handsome and spacious interior,” Car and Driver said of it when it was first released.

Fortunately, that holds true to this day. It’s plenty spacious and can be had with either five- or seven-seat configurations. It’s enjoyable to drive too, and according to Car and Driver, it offers “brisk acceleration.” And let’s not forget that the 2009 Toyota Highlander is a hybrid after all. 

The 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is standard with plenty of features

For used hybrid SUV shoppers, the 2009 Toyota Highland Hybrid makes for a great pick. Much like Car and Driver reported, the Highlander Hybrid also offers excellent interior versatility. With two seat configurations to choose from, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is also undeniably spacious.

It comes with a long list of standard features too. According to Edmunds, those standard features include an eight-way manually adjustable driver seat, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, a six-speaker sound system with a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack, keyless ignition and entry, and a multifunction display with a rearview camera.

It’s a pretty safe used hybrid SUV too

Safety is paramount when it comes to shopping for a used hybrid SUV. You can rest assured knowing that this hybrid SUV comes stock full of safety features. Edmunds reports that the 2009 Highlander Hybrid is standard with confidence-inspiring safety features like antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control, hill start assist, and a convenient rearview camera.

Fortunately for the Highlander Hybrid, it fared pretty well in crashworthiness tests too. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2009 model was a Top Safety Pick. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also gave it a four-star front driver side crashworthiness rating, a five-star front passenger-side crashworthiness rating, and a five out of five-star rating for the driver and rear passengers in its side barrier crashworthiness tests.

Is this used hybrid SUV the right fit for you?

If you’re in the market for a used hybrid SUV, check out the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. From its fuel-sipping powertrain to its spacious interior and high safety ratings, this hybrid SUV has a lot going for it.