Entered CNET Catalog: 04/29/2005
SKU: 100529554
Manufacturer: Toyota
Product summary
The good: Powerful hybrid system; extremely low emissions; comfortable driving experience.
The bad: High initial cost; limited in-dash electronics.
The bottom line: The Highlander Hybrid delivers efficient power and drives better than the average SUV, but it skimps on dashboard gadgets.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 06/14/2005
An unassuming dashboard
In the cabin, the Highlander Hybrid lacks a number of technology features found in the more expensive Lexus. Toyota has provided a simple keyless remote but not the SmartAccess entry and starting system, which allows the key and the remote to remain in a pocket or a purse. Bluetooth connectivity is also missing, along with HID headlamps. The navigation option in our test vehicle offered voice-route guidance and was easy to operate. Navigation shares the center LCD screen with Toyota's power-flow animation, also seen in the Prius.
A perfectly competent eight-speaker JBL audio system with an in-dash CD changer and steering-wheel controls is standard in the Limited. It's also available in the base model, though it costs a breathtaking $1,770 because it's bundled with a moon roof, fog lights, and a rear spoiler. There's no provision in the current Highlander audio mix for portable music players or MP3 recordings--an oversight that the company should correct.
The big front seats are supportive, heated, and power adjustable. With fore and aft adjustment, the middle-row seating provides some comfort for moderate distances, while the third row of seating is best for small children or corporal punishment. All are leather upholstered in Limited models and covered in a quality cloth in the base edition.
Power at a discount
For technology consumers, there's a lot to like under the Highlander Hybrid's hood. Toyota's full hybrid system allows the gas engine, the electric motor, or both to power the SUV. The Highlander's gas engine is a powerful 3.3-liter V6, detuned just a bit for clean emissions, mated to a 123-kilowatt electric motor. In four-wheel-drive models, an additional 50-kilowatt electric motor powers the rear wheels when needed. Both electric motors become generators when the throttle is lifted or the brakes are applied.
From a performance standpoint, the Highlander Hybrid lives up to much of its hype, delivering 0-to-60 acceleration in just 7.5 seconds, along with 25mpg fuel economy during our tests. In city driving, the electric motors easily power the Highlander forward from stoplights, and the continuously variable transmission gives the entire acceleration band an enjoyably smooth feeling. While holding steady speeds on the freeway, we felt slight power shifts as the hybrid system directed energy flow between the gas engine and the electric motors; however, this affected neither the handling nor the speed.
The Highlander Hybrid gives no ground to its Lexus sibling when it comes to keeping occupants safe. Dual-stage smart air bags and seat-mounted side air bags provide collision security for the driver and the front passenger. Roll-sensing side-curtain air bags are deployed in the front and second row, and all seating positions have three-point seatbelts with pre-tension and force-limiting capability up front.
The Highlander's solid construction, strategic crush zones, and generous complement of air bags work well for passive safety when a collision is unavoidable. Perhaps more important is Toyota's unique combination of vehicle-stability control, antilock brakes with brake assist, and brake-force distribution. Those systems cooperate with each other for precise vehicle control when emergency maneuvers are necessary. A few highly skilled drivers may do as well as the hardware and software combination that Toyota labels Star Safety, but plenty of drivers may avoid a trip to the body shop or worse with this system in place.
The Highlander Hybrid is available in two trim levels: standard and Limited, both available with front-wheel- or four-wheel-drive systems. The non-Limited version does not allow the addition of the pricey navigation system, but it has a long list of standard equipment, the same Hybrid Synergy power train, and Toyota reliability. It comes with a basic warranty of 36 months/36,000 miles plus a warranty of 60 months/60,000 miles on the power train and eight years/100,000 miles on the hybrid power train.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17out of 17 user reviews
Excellent until hybrid system left me disappointed.
Pros: Bought Limited trim used with 133k miles. Felt, looked and acted just like new. Drives very well in snow and on wet roads. Torque from electric motor allows rapid acceleration, if needed.
Cons: Air conditioning has quit five times in hot weather but eventually recovers. Inverter/converter failed. Car is now parked indefinitely.
The air-conditioner has gone into a thermal shutdown mode when sitting still for a couple of minutes (2-3) in hot weather. Dealer in Dallas said that it has an interlock to prevent damage. Happened three times in Dallas and twice in Las Vegas in June. Recovers after parking car or driving at freeway speeds for two hours or so. Can be pretty uncomfortable.
The real issue is that the inverter/converter failed at only 167k miles and the vehicle can't be driven at all until it is replaced. The new cost of the car was about $41,000 and we paid about $17,000. The inverter/converter costs $8,700 for the part alone. Labor for installation is about $600. According to Toyota there are no refurbished/rebuilt ones and there s no plan to make them available. Had I known that there was any critical part that would cost that kind of money I would never have even considered purchasing this car. I've found several other people on the net that have far fewer miles and the same problem. The warranty for the hybrid system is 8 years/100k miles. Back east that may be a long time but where I am that is just a start. My daily driver is a '98 4-Runner with 394k and my spare is a '95 4-Runner with 275k. Had two Celicas and a Tercel that I gave away or sold with 307k, 210k, and 105k, respectively. I won't buy another hybrid until they are more cost-effective.
out of 17 user reviews
Great vehicle, great mileage after break-in.
Pros: Smooth ride, comfortable, plenty of power (when needed)
Cons: Wish it could run longer/farther on just battery.
Took about 4-5K to get the mileage up to the high 20's, now I average 25-27mpg in the winter (different gas) and 29-31mpg in the summer.
Lately, I've gotten closer to 31-33mpg (that after reaching 15K). I love the "Consumption" display as it lets me see moment-by-moment just how I'm doing on my mileage.
I never want to give this one up. I just wish there was a way to make the gas engine stay off longer when accelerating or driving on back roads.
out of 17 user reviews
Beware! ! ! !
Pros: Rides great, gas is great! ! !
Cons: Battery, better have your own charger handy! ! !
Immediately took it in to the dealer, only to be told it was a fluke and the battery was fine.
I've owned this vehicle 90 days, and would be happy to get rid of it ASAP! ! ! !
Well, I went home and ordered my own battery charger just in case.
Since then, I've had to jump start it twice myself. I've gone out to turn it on and "nothing".
I kept this vehicle 7 months and got rid of it. AAA came to my home 6 times to jump start it, I bought my own battery charger and jump started it over 12 times myself.
So, that's 18 times in 7 months to have to jump start a brand new vehicle.
I brought it back to the dealer 5 times. On the 3rd return I threatened to drive it through their showroom. Gosh, they replaced the battery that day and told me they still didn't know what caused it all.
2 Weeks later, dead battery. At that point I started researching new vehicles and was willing to take the loss I knew I would take.
The dealer had no interest in solving the problem and I undertand I'm not the only person having it. Some people were told they could not let their cars sit 2-3 days without starting them.
You would think Toyota would want to research the problem; what is causing the battery to drain down. I don't believe it had anything to do with being a hybrid, but who knows.
I never got the mileage they claimed; the best I got was 25 miles per gallon.
My 7 month headache is finally gone, and I will never go near a Toyota again.
out of 17 user reviews
Fine SUV with great mileage
Pros: Ride, Quiet, Lots of Power, Comfortable
Cons: Initial price is high but this SUV is worth it
out of 17 user reviews
A terrific riding SUV with good gas mileage.
Pros: Handling, turning radius, quite ride, available in 4wd as hybrid, with no emissions
Cons: not enough cup holders up front, gas mileage is lower than stated (about 26mpg)
Surprisingly it has incredible acceleration and a powerful engine. You can't find anything around that you can take camping where 4wd is required with this kind of gas mileage. However, I will say that I was expecting around 30-31 mpg, and was dissapointed when it started off at 23 mpg. Once I hit 5k miles, the gas mileage improved to 25 mpg, and goes up in the months when I am not using the AC.
out of 17 user reviews
very good SUV, as you expect from Toyota
Pros: fun to drive, very powerful, comfortable. very soft ride
Cons: gas milage is not as expected, dashboard looks like this car was designed before Vietnam War
So if you want to save a lot, don't even think about it; if you're willing to donate $5G for saving Mother Nature and be a very nice sensitive person go ahead. I'm very disappointed by Toyota misleading; even my driving style is changed from very aggressive to a limo driver one, which makes my family very happy.
out of 17 user reviews
Overall, a great car
Pros: great power, good mileage for an SUV, quiet
Cons: Radio, climate, and NAV all use the same screen
I have had no quality problems with fit & finish. I give it an 8 because generally very well-made & performs better than the vast majority of the cars out there (to which I would give much lower ratings), yet skimped on too many functions (stereo/climate controls on same screen as NAV; buttons instead of knobs, no aux input to stereo, etc). All in all, no regrets and I recommend it.
out of 17 user reviews
Very User-Intuitive 4 Me
Pros: Smooth, Fun (like playing a vid),good 4 earth
Cons: Supply & Demand ..& boy did they demand!
out of 17 user reviews
Great SUV you can afford to drive
Pros: Great mileage, quiet, Toyota quality
Cons: Limited off road capability and towing capacity
I've always been a big truck/SUV fan, but I changed my mind when fuel prices recently hit $3 a gallon. Now I fill up for less than $30 compared to $100. It's much easier to park than the full size trucks I've been driving.
The Highlander has amazing power without being a fuel hog. The lack of shifting due to the continuosly variable transmission gives you smooth acceleration from 0 to 60.
Although I thought about towing a tent trailer, I'm a little hesitant to try it. I'm going to wait and see what experiences others have before I try it.
out of 17 user reviews
love my SUV, will buy another on next time
Pros: good acceleration, handles well. pretty good MPG
Cons: less MPG than advertized, only about 24.5MPG, not enough storage compartments for drivers area.
out of 17 user reviews
Highlander Hybrid Mileage and Quality Disappointing
Pros: Comfortable interior, well appointed, drives decently, good power
Cons: Mileage lower than expected, right front window bangs shut, leather seat in rear puffy
Also disappointing is the gas mileage. While I have 2,400 miles on the car, I have never been able to get better than 26.3 mpg. More typically, it's 25.6 ... a far cry from 30 mpg expected.
My major motivations in paying over $40k for the car were two-fold: solid production quality and 30 mpg. Thus far, I'm disappointed on both. On top of this, one has to wait 3 months for a service appointment in the Honolulu area due to a local dealership monopoly. Ouch. Hope it gets better.
out of 17 user reviews
great vehicle
Pros: lots of power .good road hanling
Cons: gas mileage.wind noise in the rear.deadspot in mirors.you have to press to hard on brakes to disable the cruse control.tires seems to noisy.
out of 17 user reviews
GAS MILEAGE LOW
Pros: QUIET & NICE RIDE
Cons: GAS MILEAGE
out of 17 user reviews
Got Green?
Pros: Mileage, Beauty, Brains, Eco-friendly
Cons: What's not to like? OK -- the cup-holder is awful and for the money it should have HYBRID in huge letters all over the car!
The mileage, if careful, can approach about 26 or 27 on the freeway. We've learned not to drive 75-80 mph anymore -- this car's economy is perfect at about 65mph.
Power is awsome! I haven't driven a car with this much horsepower (268!!!!) in decades. Handling is excellent. The car is very quiet, even when running on the 3.3L V6.
Sometimes, you'll feel a very, very slight shudder when the gas engine kicks on. It's not bothersome.
It is somewhat disconcerting to turn the key and NOT have it go "ge-ge-ge-ge-vroooom". Instead, a display on the dash simply says "Ready" and so you can go.
Can you tell that I love this car? High price notwithstanding, it's got a great high-tech "coolness" factor.
out of 17 user reviews
Of eleven SUVs I've owned this is the Best !
Pros: Ride, handling, performance and quality.
Cons: No satellite radio option, third row seat entry is difficult.
out of 17 user reviews
Luxury SUV, better than all other Midsize SUV
Pros: I love the smooth ride and the eye comfort of Toyota design
Cons: Wish they would have the electric start button like Lexus GS and Prius or Mercede keyless starter.
I tend to get 400 miles overall with gas grade 89, it has been over 1 month now. It might pushes over 450 miles if I would switch to gas grade 93.
out of 17 user reviews
Great SUV and it's a Hybrid
Pros: Smooth, quite, looks great inside and out, and great gas milage
Cons: Hybrid may be a learning curve for some
Unlike my experience test driving older model Highlanders this one really has been modified for a luxurious ride.
I certainly suggest finding one for a test drive if you can get the chance.
