Impressive mileage
The tester featured an intelligent four wheel drive system and total output of 280 horsepower— which, ironically, makes the hybrid variant of the Highlander the most powerful one available. Drivers can even toggle between “ECON” and “Electric Vehicle (EV)” modes to help fine-tune powertrain operation to their current desired level of green motoring.
Without using either of these modes for any length of time or attempting to ‘hypermile’, your correspondent achieved impressive average mileage figures in the ballpark of a mid-sized family sedan—not a great big 4x4.
On my watch during a cold-weather test-drive, Highlander Hybrid put away about 3L / 100km less than most comparable non-hybrid models in recent memory. My test consumption average, as measured by hand, was about 11L / 100km. For perspective, a Ford Edge, driven in similar weather and surroundings the week prior, averaged closer to 15L/100km.
Almost compromise free...
Best of all, there’s virtually no visual or functional difference between the Highlander Hybrid and the standard model. Aside from blue-tinted lights, decals and extra badging, it looks identical.
Drives and functions pretty much the same, too. On board, there’s plenty of space for 5 occupants, including a generous cargo hold with a pop-up rear row of seating that expands seating capacity to 7 occupants. There are heaps of storage, four available cupholders for front-seat passengers, and a commanding driving position, too.
Big controls are easily manipulated even with clumsy winter gloves on, and most are logically laid out and easy to find. Decent visibility, interior space and entry and exit, too.
The HiHy is also comfortable, relatively quiet, and packs plenty of passing power. It drives and steers more like a car than a truck, and feels pretty darn locked down when the going gets snowy, too.
With winter tires mounted to the tester, there was plenty of traction, lots of ground clearance and a tidy sum of confidence in inclement weather. It even had heated wipers.
The tester featured an intelligent four wheel drive system and total output of 280 horsepower— which, ironically, makes the hybrid variant of the Highlander the most powerful one available. Drivers can even toggle between “ECON” and “Electric Vehicle (EV)” modes to help fine-tune powertrain operation to their current desired level of green motoring.
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| Aside from blue-tinted lights, decals and extra badging, the Highlander Hybrid and the standard model is identical. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Without using either of these modes for any length of time or attempting to ‘hypermile’, your correspondent achieved impressive average mileage figures in the ballpark of a mid-sized family sedan—not a great big 4x4.
On my watch during a cold-weather test-drive, Highlander Hybrid put away about 3L / 100km less than most comparable non-hybrid models in recent memory. My test consumption average, as measured by hand, was about 11L / 100km. For perspective, a Ford Edge, driven in similar weather and surroundings the week prior, averaged closer to 15L/100km.
Almost compromise free...
Best of all, there’s virtually no visual or functional difference between the Highlander Hybrid and the standard model. Aside from blue-tinted lights, decals and extra badging, it looks identical.
Drives and functions pretty much the same, too. On board, there’s plenty of space for 5 occupants, including a generous cargo hold with a pop-up rear row of seating that expands seating capacity to 7 occupants. There are heaps of storage, four available cupholders for front-seat passengers, and a commanding driving position, too.
Big controls are easily manipulated even with clumsy winter gloves on, and most are logically laid out and easy to find. Decent visibility, interior space and entry and exit, too.
The HiHy is also comfortable, relatively quiet, and packs plenty of passing power. It drives and steers more like a car than a truck, and feels pretty darn locked down when the going gets snowy, too.
With winter tires mounted to the tester, there was plenty of traction, lots of ground clearance and a tidy sum of confidence in inclement weather. It even had heated wipers.
 |
| Big controls are easily manipulated even with clumsy winter gloves on, and most are logically laid out and easy to find. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |