About the Toyota Highlander Hybrid


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About the
Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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This covers the 2007 model. Here's a little about the 2008 model.

lots more hybrid cars

Toyota has done a good job in making a cleaner, more fuel efficient SUV with the Highlander Hybrid.

The Highlander shares the drive train used in the Lexus hybrid SUV. That is, a 3.3 liter V6 combined with multiple electric motors, producing a combined power rating of about 268 horsepower. Zero to 60 times are less than eight seconds. Typical mileage figures are about 25-30 MPG. So the emphasis seems to be a little more on performance, but still with the improved economy and lowered emissions of a hybrid. The Highlander qualifies as a SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle). According to the EPA's ratings, the Highlander should be able to get about 499 miles on a tank of gas (AWD), or 516 miles for the front wheel drive version.

CanadianDriver tested an AWD Highlander in their big winter traction test. It came in second, with only a Mercedes-Benz, costing almost $60,000 CDN, doing better. They commented that the "Highlander's stability control system virtually refuses to allow skidding sideways or losing control in corners." Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control are standard on Hybrid Highlanders. While CanadianDriver tested a the regular version of the Highlander, the hybrid version should perform similarly.

photo courtesy Toyota

The Highlander hybrid has optional 4WD capability. Front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags for the second and third rows are optional.

Other options:

moonroof

heated seats

JBL premium sound system w/ CD changer

rear seat DVD entertainment system

115 volt power outlet

power driver seat

cruise control

navigation system

photo courtesy Toyota

HomeLink® Wireless Control
System

towing package (The 3,500 pound capacity is a lot greater than the 1,000 pound capacity of the Ford Escape Hybrid.)

Note: The "Standard" version, not the "Limited", is the one to consider. The Standard Highlander will come with fabric seats (not leather). The Limited model has leather seats.

The 2WD base Highlander Hybrid starts at about $33,000. The 4WD-i base Highlander Hybrid will starts at about $34,430. So, about $15,000 less than the Lexus version.

All in all, it this is a no compromise SUV, with the benefits of increased fuel economy and fuel range, and greatly reduced emissions compared to other SUV's.