2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

by Rebecca Antioco -09/2008

So you want or need an SUV, but not the stigma of being environmentally irresponsible in an age of $4-plus gas prices. The newly redesigned Highlander Hybrid may be your solution.

Offering respectable fuel economy in two models — base ($34,200) and Limited ($39,950) — Highlander is practical, powerful and appealing. Powered by an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and a 208-horsepower V-6 engine plus three electric motors (one to start the vehicle, two to drive it), the overall yield is 270 horsepower.  Technically, the Highlander Hybrid is a four-wheel drive vehicle, with the rear-mounted 68-horsepower electric motor providing power to the rear wheels when extra traction is needed. However, the V-6 never powers the rear wheels and, unlike its gasoline-powered all-wheel-drive counterpart, this vehicle is not meant for off-road driving.

Base models seat five, and are well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights, power accessories, a back-up camera, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, MP3 auxiliary input and wood-grain trim. Upgrade to the Limited and you’ll get seating for seven, with the second row having the unique and convenient “center stow” feature that turns the bench into captain’s chairs, affording walk-through access to the third row. The Limited also adds 19-inch wheels, power driver’s seat, six-disc in-dash CD changer and a power liftgate. Three option packages are available. Option A ($2860) adds rear climate control, power moonroof, and an upgraded nine-speaker JBL sound system, Bluetooth capability and six-disc CD changer; Option B ($4885) adds to that voice-activated DVD navigation system; move up to Option C ($6665) and you’ll also get a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with nine-inch screen and two wireless headphones.

Completely redesigned for this model year, Highlander Hybrid looks less truck-like, with cleaner lines and less bulge lending a more contemporary look than the previous generation. It also increases in size, growing three inches in wheelbase, four inches in length and three in width. This translates into more interior room, which has been used to increase the amount of space between rows of seats. As a result, the third row in the Limited can accommodate more than just small children comfortably, if only for short stretches.

Inside, special attention has been paid to seating, particularly for the driver. The steering wheel both tilts and telescopes, and the driver’s seat adjusts eight ways, ten in the Limited. As a result, drivers of any size can easily find a comfortable driving position. Leather seats on my Limited tester were comfortable and supportive.

Storage space is ample; with all rows of seats folded, there is 94 cubic feet. With the second row up, there’s just over 42 cubic feet and even with the third row in place, there’s enough room (10 cubic feet) for your golf clubs, the kids’ gear or the bounty from a trip to the grocery store. 

On the road, despite its large size, the Highlander is comfortable and handles capably. It’s not sporty by any means, but offers good acceleration off the line and excellent ride quality typical of Toyota vehicles.

For the efficiency minded, Highlander Hybrid offers two fuel-saving modes. The first, EV, operates the vehicle solely in electric mode. This mode only works at very low speeds and for a limited distance, such as in stop-and-go traffic. The second, and perhaps more practical mode, ECON, is a throttle-control program that limits excessive acceleration, thereby improving fuel economy. Even without one of these modes in play, you can monitor your own driving habits and fuel-efficiency via the energy monitor on the control panel.

Safety equipment includes seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, tire-pressure monitoring system, active headrests for the driver and front passenger and a standard rear back-up camera. In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Highlander Hybrid received the highest rating of five stars in side impacts and for driver protection in frontal impacts. It received the second-highest four stars for passenger protection in frontal crashes. It has not been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but the comparable gasoline-powered Highlander received the highest rating “Good” in both front and side impact tests.

As the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger vehicle available, Highlander is an excellent choice for environmentally minded families who need the size, but not the poor fuel economy of traditional SUVs.