https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2020-toyota-highlander-comparison-ford-honda-chevrolet/

Merging electrons with four-cylinder frugality means significantly improved efficiency. Toyota estimates the 2020 Highlander Hybrid will get 34 miles per gallon combined, a substantial 5-mpg improvement over last year. The most efficient versions of the other (gas only) midsize crossovers listed here average 23 mpg combined, so the fact that the Highlander Hybrid might beat that average by 11 mpg should captivate potential buyers. Ford has yet to release fuel economy specs for its new Explorer Hybrid, which goes on sale this summer, but V6 power could put its figures more in line with the 2019 Highlander Hybrid.

At this early stage, Toyota hasn't said specifically whether the Highlander Hybrid will use a continuously variable transmission. But from how Toyota has described it so far, the transmission sounds similar in concept to the CVT being used in the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, so it's probably safe to assume the Highlander Hybrid will incorporate this type of transmission, as well.