In February 2008 Toyota unwrapped the current generation of the Highlander at the Chicago show. The hybrid model had received an evolution of the heat engine used since 2001. But for 2011, the Highlander Hybrid inherits an all-new, more potent powertrain. Plus a facelift!
The Highlander Hybrid is a unique vehicle. It has no direct competitors. The other hybrid SUVs (gas/electric) are either smaller or cheaper, like the Escape, or swankier and more expensive, like the Lexus RX 450h.
For a more fitting comparison, you have to turn to “ordinary” SUVs of the same size and price. With its 7-seat cabin (now standard) and base price of $42,850 (at the time of writing), this Toyota can be weighed against vehicles like the Ford Flex 4WD, Honda Pilot 4WD and Chevrolet Traverse 4WD. However, official fuel economy ratings tell us that these rivals guzzle an average of 60% more black gold.
So why not compare the Highlander to the Volkswagen Touareg TDI or Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC, two less alcoholic utes of the same size? Their diesel engines ensure much better gas mileage, though still 30% more than the hybrid. And they can’t seat 7 (do you really need to?) either, and they’re at least $10,000 more expensive.
That leaves the Highlander V6, almost as powerful and just $2,000 extra. But again, it burns about 60% more fuel…
From the outside
2011 brings a few stylistic changes to the table. The new Highlander sports a redesigned front end that stands out from the normal Highlander. The new grille highlights the brand’s big blue emblem, the Toyota Hybrid calling card.
The bottom air intake, much wider than that of the heat engine models, is flanked by round, stacked fog lights with chrome bezels set deep into the fairing. The combination of shapes creates a smiling face. Yup, the Highlander would have been right at home in the cast of Cars 2.
The Highlander Hybrid is a unique vehicle. It has no direct competitors. The other hybrid SUVs (gas/electric) are either smaller or cheaper, like the Escape, or swankier and more expensive, like the Lexus RX 450h.
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| For 2011, the Highlander Hybrid inherits an all-new, more potent powertrain. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
For a more fitting comparison, you have to turn to “ordinary” SUVs of the same size and price. With its 7-seat cabin (now standard) and base price of $42,850 (at the time of writing), this Toyota can be weighed against vehicles like the Ford Flex 4WD, Honda Pilot 4WD and Chevrolet Traverse 4WD. However, official fuel economy ratings tell us that these rivals guzzle an average of 60% more black gold.
So why not compare the Highlander to the Volkswagen Touareg TDI or Mercedes-Benz ML 350 BlueTEC, two less alcoholic utes of the same size? Their diesel engines ensure much better gas mileage, though still 30% more than the hybrid. And they can’t seat 7 (do you really need to?) either, and they’re at least $10,000 more expensive.
That leaves the Highlander V6, almost as powerful and just $2,000 extra. But again, it burns about 60% more fuel…
From the outside
2011 brings a few stylistic changes to the table. The new Highlander sports a redesigned front end that stands out from the normal Highlander. The new grille highlights the brand’s big blue emblem, the Toyota Hybrid calling card.
The bottom air intake, much wider than that of the heat engine models, is flanked by round, stacked fog lights with chrome bezels set deep into the fairing. The combination of shapes creates a smiling face. Yup, the Highlander would have been right at home in the cast of Cars 2.
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| For 2011, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid sports a fresh grille that distinguishes it from the heat engine Highlanders. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |