Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Discount Auto Sales
| Consumer Reports | Specials | Safety Notes | Price Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Fuel Economy | Hybrid Reliability | Road Test |
Consumer Reports Toyota Auto Sale
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ROAD
TEST
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers the same refinement, quiet interior, ride
comfort, power, and flexible, roomy second-row seat as the regular Toyota Highlander,
our top-scoring three-row SUV. The main difference is that it got 24 mpg overall
in our fuel economy testing, which is impressive for a vehicle this large. The
standard Highlander managed 18 mpg. While the handling is secure, it's not very
agile. The tight third-row seat doesn't fold in sections as others do, limiting
its versatility. The fuel savings might not justify the extra cost of the Hybrid
for some.
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER DRIVING EXPERIENCE
A key to the Toyota Highlander's polished feel is its comfortable ride, which
isolates occupants from most bumps and remains steady and composed on
the highway. Unlike some other three-row SUVs, the Highlander doesn't
feel overly bulky in turns, though the 41-foot turning circle is wider
than that of the standard Highlander. The electrically assisted power
steering feels artificial and doesn't offer much feedback. In our
emergency avoidance maneuver, the Highlander posted a modest speed, but
it proved very secure thanks to standard stability control. The smooth,
3.3-liter V6 engine, combined with three electric motors and a 288-volt
nickel-metal-hydride battery pack produce 270 horsepower, the same as
the V6 engine alone in the regular Highlander. Expect 24 mpg overall.
The SUV has an "EV" mode switch that uses electric power exclusively up
to 25 mph. It seemed like a bit of a gimmick to us since the car will
propel itself on electric power anyway if conditions permit. This mode
works well for limited stop-and-go conditions, but it will turn on the
engine with a heavy throttle. There is also an "Econ" mode, which makes
throttle response sluggish. It just made us step on the gas harder to
keep up, though it might improve mileage for some drivers by training
them to drive more slowly. The Highlander Hybrid towed our 3,500-pound
trailer (its maximum limit) to 60 mph in 18.5 seconds-overall a good
performance. Braking distances were short in the wet and dry, and the
pedal felt fairly responsive and firm. Low-beam halogen lights
illuminate a good distance and have decent intensity but with only fair
illumination. The high beams reach an excellent distance without a drop
in intensity.
INSIDE THE TOYOTA
HIGHLANDER CABIN
Wood and chrome trim and soft-touch surfaces give the interior a posh
feeling. But some large panel gaps and a cardboard-like headliner mar
the overall feel. Drivers sit high and have plenty of head, knee, and
foot room behind the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The dash is
filled with giant knobs and huge buttons that are simple to use, but
some controls are too far away from the driver to reach easily. We
especially like the backup camera that comes standard on Sport and
Limited versions, even if you don't choose the optional navigation
system. A clear 3 1/2-inch screen in the center of the dash helps you to
check for people and obstacles behind the vehicle. But the image takes a
few seconds to appear, increasing the risk that harried drivers won't
use the camera. Gauges are legible, but the chrome rings cause some
glare. Some testers complained that the head restraints pressed their
heads forward. The second-row seat has a removable center section that
you can replace with a console. Whichever one you're not using stores
securely below the front console. Generous head and leg room make the
second row very comfortable. But only kids will be comfortable for short
rides in the tiny third-row seat. And oddly, it doesn't split, so
folding it is an all-or-nothing proposition. You can only access the
third row from the right side of the car, because the left portion of
the second row seat doesn't slide forward. On the positive side, we
liked being able to open the rear hatch window separately with the press
of a button, and we appreciated being able to fold the head restraints
rather than having to remove and store them.