2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

The Toyota Highlander got a mid-cycle makeover last year (2011) that included changes to its front-end look such as a new hood, grill, headlights, and chrome accented black rocker panels. At the same time, Toyota made it easier to distinguish the hybrid model by adding a unique grill and bumper redesign with integrated (and vertically stacked) fog lamps, body colored rocker panels, and blue lens covered headlights and taillights.

In addition, the hybrid Highlander now comes equipped with Toyota’s more powerful 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine (a 10 horsepower increase). This change (combined with Hybrid Synergy Drive) increases fuel economy from 27 mpg city/25 mpg highway to an even more impressive 28 miles per gallon for both city and highway driving.  Read more...

Modest changes give the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a slightly different look, better fuel economy, more horsepower, and some additional standard features.

The fact that there were any changes at all is a testament to Toyota given that the 2010 model offered drivers a mid-sized SUV with fuel economy numbers that were more often associated with family sedans rather than heavy trucks.

The seven-passenger 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid delivers an estimated 28 mpg. This is a 2 mpg improvement over last year’s model. And to put this fuel economy into perspective, Edmunds notes that this is about 50 percent better than the mpg rating you would get in a typical gas-only mid-sized SUV.  Read more...

The 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a large SUV that makes use of the company’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system in order to return fuel economy numbers that are more often associated with family sedans rather than heavy trucks. The Highlander’s combination of enormous interior room and respectable fuel mileage make it a popular choice amongst families on the go. Unfortunately for Toyota, this eco-friendly sport utility isn’t as popular as it used to be.  Read more...

If you are in the market for a brand spankin’ new hybrid SUV with the ability to haul all your friends, your toys and still not spend a fortune at the pump, the 2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid is a great pick. Priced from $34,700 to $41,020, this sister to the conventionally fueled Highlander doesn’t vary much in terms of style and options from its counterpart. The hybrid is available in base or limited trims, which can include a sunroof, DVD player, three-zone climate control and a navigation system. The interior layout of this SUV is consistently something we hear drivers raving about; riding or driving in this Toyota hybrid is extremely comfortable. Basically, the 2009 model of this green people hauler is the same as the 2008 Highlander hybrid, with minor changes in the redesigned headlights.  Read more...

I spoke with Jeff Farley, Sales Manager at Elmhurst Toyota (Chicago suburb) on 10/31/07, and he informed me that their first ’08 hybrid Highlander suv’s had just arrived.  As we reported last month, most dealers have been out of the 2007 models for quite some time – so this is welcome news for auto dealerships and for all the people who have either been waiting, or holding out for the new hybrid model.  Read more...

Toyota has been the undisputed industry leader in pioneering hybrid vehicle technology worldwide.  Their flagship hybrid has always been, and remains today – the Prius, which recently celebrated its 10th year in the U.S.  In June 2005, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV was released for the 2006 model year, and during it’s first full year of U.S. sales, more than 31,000 were sold (second only to which other hybrid?…the Prius).

The 2008 Highlander hybrid is expected to arrive at dealerships in October (’07), and it can’t get here fast enough.  According to a spokesperson from Toyota, the 2007 model years are nearly gone from dealer inventories – causing total August sales of this green suv to be under 400 nationwide, compared to more than 2,500 during the same period in ’06.  Read more...