Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is an automobile assembled by Toyota Motor Corp. using Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. It is called the Toyota Kluger Hybrid in Japan and Australia. Each generation surpasses the previous, offering greater power and less cost. The hybrid powertrain adds a mere 300 pounds to the vehicle’s curb weight. The majority of this extra weight is mounted low in the vehicle. To manage the additional weight, Toyota made the chassis of the Highlander Hybrid stronger. The Lexus RX, Lexus ES 350, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Highlander are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.

The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6, very similar to the one found in the RX 330. It produces 268 HP when aided by the two additional electric motors. Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and gasoline engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction (if so equipped). The gasoline engine will switch off automatically when the vehicle is either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed and the electric motor will take over. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration and from the heat energy caused from braking.

The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance, the Highlander Hybrid can reach 60 mph (97km/h) in less than 8 seconds which is quicker than the normally aspirated Highlander. Despite the increased performance, the Highlander Hybrid consumes roughly the same amount of fuel as a compact four-cylinder sedan and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in America.

See WikiCars' comprehensive Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

Recent Changes
The Highlander Hybrid is new for the 2006 model year.

Styles and Major Options
Standard Equipment
 * Fabric-trimmed interior
 * Silver interior trim pieces
 * Tilt steering wheel
 * Power tilt-and-slide sunroof with one-touch open/close and sliding sunshade
 * Remote keyless entry
 * Hybrid Optitron IP gauges with kW power meter
 * Roof rack with rails
 * Air Conditioning with clean air filter
 * Deluxe AM/FM/Cassette/CD audio system with 6 speakers
 * HomeLink® Universal Transceiver

Limited Package
 * Leather trimmed interior w/power adjustable driver and front passenger heated seats
 * Burled maple wood grain simulated wood trim
 * JBL® 8-speaker Premium Audio System with in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD changer
 * Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
 * Leather trimmed shift lever with chrome stalk
 * Automatic on/off headlamps
 * Integrated foglamps
 * Anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer

Optional Equipment
 * Touchscreen DVD Navigation with JBL® System/8-speaker Premium Audio System with in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD changer - $2,000
 * Rear-seat DVD entertainment system with rear-seat audio and two wireless headphones (includes 115V power outlet and RCA jacks)

Dealer Accessories
 * All-weather floor mats
 * Car cover
 * Cargo mat
 * Cargo net
 * Front-end mask
 * Tow-hitch receiver
 * Wheel locks
 * Wireless headphones

Pricing
Today's actual prices for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid can be found at CarsDirect.

Gas Mileage
As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Safety

 * Front seat-mounted side airbags (SRS)
 * Driver's and front passenger's advanced airbag system (SRS) with crash-severity sensors
 * Front and rear roll-sensing side curtainairbags
 * Driver's knee airbag
 * Star Safety System with (VDIM)
 * ABS with Brake Assist
 * Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
 * Reinforced Body
 * Three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners seatbelts for all seats
 * Lower Anchors, tether anchors for children (LATCH) in 2nd row seat
 * Daytime Running Lights
 * Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
 * Traction Control (TRAC)
 * Theft-Deterrent System with engine immobilizer
 * LED tailights

Colors
Super White

Millenium Silver Metallic

Sonora Gold Pearl

Salsa Red Pearl

Oasis Green Pearl

Indigo Ink Pearl

Black

Ivory Leather

Ivory Fabric

Ash Leather

Ash Fabric

Main Competitors

 * Ford Escape Hybrid
 * Mercury Mariner Hybrid
 * Lexus RX 400h
 * Saturn VUE Green Line

Unique Attributes
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is currently the only hybrid SUV that offers a 3rd row seat.

Resale Values
Kelley Blue Book offers a range of resale value information, with mileage and equipment levels factored in.

Criticisms
This vehicle's price places it within some premium SUV competition.

Current Model (2004-present)
The Harrier Hybrid went on sale in Japan on March 2005, and the Highlander Hybrid went on sale later the same year. It is offered for the 2006 model year in North America. Europe and Asia will also receive the Hybrid Highlander in 2006.

These North American-market cars were initially built in Japan and sold in Japan as the Kluger in 2001. Production of the RX 330 started at Toyota's Cambridge, Ontario, Canada plant in September 2003 (some North American RX 330/RX 350 models are still made in Japan). The Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 3.3 L 3MZ-FE V6, producing 268 total hp SAE and is available in either front or four wheel drive. An interesting difference between the Highlander Hybrid and its upscale sibling, the Lexus RX 400h, is that the Highlander Hybrid is available with a 3rd row seat. The Lexus RX, no matter the model or trim, is not.

For European and Asian markets, the second generation RX was launched in early 2003, where it continues to be a RX 300 and is made in Japan. Mechanical specification is more or less identical to the 3.0 L V6 Toyota Harrier, with only the four wheel drive version available. Once again, air-suspension and Mark Levinson audio can be specified.

Worldwide
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is sold in Japan as the Kluger Hybrid. While the Kluger is also sold in Australia, no announcement has been made of offering the Hybrid model there.

Design quirks and oddities

 * Unique Front Bumper for increased cooling
 * Unique Grille
 * Unique Fog Lamps
 * New Tailights with LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs
 * 18 inch wheels
 * Performance tires