Among the families that want the room of an SUV and the gas savings of a hybrid, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid stands out.
The 2008 model took the desire for family room even further than earlier versions by expanding the interior space. The 2008 Highlander’s wheelbase is almost 3 inches longer than the ’07, and it is 2.8 inches longer, as well.
“There’s more room and it uses the space a lot better” than the earlier model, said Cory Wright, RMC manager at Jerry’s Toyota in White Marsh, about the 40.6 inches of front headroom without a sunroof and even 39.7 with one.
The roominess extends to a flat second-row floor and the availability of a table that can be attached to the center seat position.
The signature feature of the vehicle remains its dual-mode hybrid system. The hybrid includes a 3.3-liter V-6 with 209 horsepower that grows to a maximum of 270 with the two electric motor generators. One electric motor drives either the front or rear wheels, while regenerative braking boosts the battery charge. A third motor generator handles engine starting and cabin functions. The sealed nickel-metal hydride battery pack has an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty.
Toyota’s Synergy Drive allows operation on battery power alone up to about 30 mph and then combined battery and engine power. There are also “EV” and “Econ” modes.
EV, or battery power, was featured in the vehicle’s television ads that showed a young father sneaking into the driveway under silent battery power, to avoid waking his kids.
The Econ mode aims to smooth out the throttle and prevent jumping starts. In this mode the performance may feel sluggish, but that’s when it is working overtime to ensure the best gas mileage.
Drivers also can monitor their driving efficiency through a dashboard gauge — a feature appearing more often in various hybrids.
The combination of fuel efficiency and spaciousness is one that has attracted many Baltimore area families, said Bill Spencer, sales manager at Bill Kidd’s Toyota in Cockeysville.
But the combination of minivan room and hybrid cache comes at a growing price. The Hybrid Hylander was among several vehicles that Toyota announced price increases for in May. Like many others affected by increasing oil prices, the SUV went up by $500, to a starting price of $34,885.
An option particularly popular among area drivers is the $2,655 navigation system, which includes a nine-speaker JBL audio system, Bluetooth and a larger-than-standard 32,000-color, 8-inch LCD display.
Among the standard features that give the Hylander Hybrid an almost luxury SUV feeling is the well-soundproofed cabin, a smooth and compliant suspension, and an attractive instrument panel. The standard readout screen in the center console of the dashboard displays the hybrid functions and fuel-economy averages, as well as the rearview camera.
The overall package has a sharp appeal for environmentally conscious families.
“There’s nothing else in that size that gets that good of gas mileage,” Wright said.
SPECS BOX
- 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD-i
- Engine: 209-horsepower, 3.3-liter V-6 with variable valve technology
- Transmission: continuously variable automatic
- Fuel economy: 27 mpg city, 26 highway
- Price: $34,885, including $685 freight charge; price as tested, $40,118
Editor’s note: Includes information by Mark Maynard published by Creators Syndicate.
