Towing with a hybrid: can you even do it?

 Towing with a hybrid: can you even do it?

Hybrid towing may not sound right – how could an electrified Toyota tow? News flash – they can! A lot of people don’t know that you can tow with your Orlando Toyota hybrid. We’re Making it Simple™ for you and giving you all the information you need to know about hybrid towing.

Hybrid towing: what you need to know

There are many pros when it comes to towing with a hybrid – especially if you’re looking for higher fuel efficiency. Hybrids are also known for being more environmentally friendly – but towing with a hybrid is possible too, which a lot of people seem to underestimate. 

Orlando hybrids are considered ‘electrified cars’, but they’re not your stereotypical electric vehicle – like the Toyota bZ4x. They use both a gas engine and an electric motor; the gas engine does a majority of the work in hybrid vehicles. Plus, if you opt for an Orlando Toyota hybrid with all-wheel drive, you'll get almost as much towing capacity as a gas-powered vehicle.

What does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid towing capacity look like?

To help you visualize what hybrid towing looks like, we’re going to give you the Toyota Highlander Hybrid towing capacity. 

• The 2024 Toyota Highlander has a 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. It also offers all-wheel drive, and in this model you'll get 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft torque.

• The final towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

• If you opt for the hybrid version, you’ll rock a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. So, if you add all-wheel drive in the mix you can get up to 186 horsepower and 175 lb-ft. torque. 

• The final Toyota Highlander Hybrid towing capacity is 3,500 pounds.

Thinking about hybrid towing? 

If you’re looking to start towing with a hybrid, here are some tips. 

1. Make sure you check your hybrid towing capacity before you purchase. If you go over your towing capacity,  you’ll notice a hefty bill with all the expensive repairs that you’ll need.

2. Practice, practice, practice. If you’re inexperienced when it comes to towing with a hybrid, you’ll want to practice before you go on your next haul. Remember to practice backing up, u-turns, parking, and sharp turns. 

3. Make sure you're up-to-date on your car maintenance. If you’re looking to make your Orlando hybrid towing vehicle last, you’ll want to be extra conscious about being consistent on your routine car maintenance – brake service, oil changes, tire rotations, and everything our Orlando auto service technicians recommend. We also recommend asking about your brakes every time you go in for service as you’ll need maximum stopping power with your heavy loads. 

4. Have all the equipment and test it. Just like regular gas towing, you’ll want to ensure your trailer lights are hooked up,  including brake lights and turn signals. Also, don’t forget a spare tire for both your Orlando Toyota vehicle and your trailer.

Ready to start towing with a hybrid?

If you’re looking to start towing with a hybrid, come see us atToyota of Orlando! Our sales specialists can give you additional tips and give the best recommendation for all your hybrid towing needs. Toyota of Orlando is located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Mall at Millenia.