Hybrid Vehicles Guide

Overview: A mid-sized SUV with the features, looks, and capability to boot. Add a hybrid system and the resulting fuel efficiencies and you get one competitive unit. Our problem exits with the added expense, but we feel that it’s worth it.

Detail: A SUV doesn’t seem like the type of vehicle that an automaker might incorporate hybrid technology into. After all, SUV’s are typically big, and they aren’t expected to have the best fuel economy. By making them more efficient, however, Toyota is proving that a vehicle doesn’t have to be a small, aerodynamic car to benefit from hybrid technology.

Initial Impression

The Highlander has always been a favorite of ours when it comes down to looks. The SUV has a few aggressive flairs, but nothing that makes it seem destined for the boy-racer crowed. The exterior is subtle and attractive- two traits that we look for in a SUV.

Admittedly, we were unsure about how a hybrid system would work in a SUV, though we were more than willing to give it a shot. After all, if we could even add 10% to the fuel efficiency, it would result in money saved down the road.

The interior of the Highlander is comfortable and spacious. We like the way the console and dash are laid out, and the navigation system sports a clean screen and eight JBL speakers. The seats are supportive (rare for an SUV), and it only takes us a moment to get strapped in and comfortable.

Driving the Highlander

This is no sports car, that’s for sure. However, despite our gripes with the spongy handling and seemingly weightless steering wheel, we must admit that these are traits that all trucks and SUV’s share. We shouldn’t come down so hard on this one.

Acceleration is pretty quick, and definitely faster than most SUV’s that we’ve tested. It may not be as fast as a Porche Cayenne or a BMW X3, but that doesn’t mean that the Highlander is a slouch off the line. There are rumors floating around of 0-60 times in the mid seven second region, though we didn’t whip out any instrumentation to test it.

The Highlander can operate entirely on electric, entirely on gasoline, or on a mixture of both. The transition from one power source to the next can be apparent at times, but it’s never overstated and it certainly doesn’t detract from the quality of the ride. In fact, we like that we can notice it sometimes: it reminds us that there’s still a gasoline engine in this thing.

Driving at cruising speeds charges the batteries, and when you’re just putting around town the gasoline engine is likely to remain turned off.

Conclusion

This is a solid entry into the market, and the hybrid motor really does shine here. We only hope that the longevity is of the same quality that we’ve come to expect from Toyota. Then again, it is a Toyota- we aren’t too worried.