2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid User Reviews

So Good To The Environment, Yet So Flimsy To Me — I recently test drove a 2007 Highlander Hybrid. Having narrowed down my choices in SUV to a Honda Pilot or the environmentally-friendly Highlander, my mind was made up to buy the Highlander before entering either dealership. Unfortunately, the Highlander turned out to be a huge disappointment while the Pilot was impressive (you can see my review for details). From the outside, the Highlander looks nice enough: it has a nice big "Hybrid" sign which was reminiscent of the "Pious" South Park episode in which self-satisfied hybrid drivers pollute the world with smug instead of smog. Other than that, there were a few little differences in the grille to set it apart from the other SUV's. The interior was about average. We looked at a top-of-the-line hybrid, priced well above MSRP at over $40,000 (before navigation). The car had nice wood trim similar to that in Avalons, but I was disappointed to note that it didn't have the cool interface the Priuses have in which the passengers can note the swapping between gas and electric. The sunglass holder on the roof was weak. I was scared it would break off. I was test-driving this car in Florida, and it took quite some time to cool. The car had a third row of seating, but when I climbed in, I was reintroduced to my own knees: there was so little legroom that I had to assume an upright fetal position to fit. I told myself I wasn't being the durn car for the luxuries, and took it for a test drive. I liked the quietness of the engine when stopped. However, the swapping of the gas on acceleration caused a hesitation and lurch that I did not much enjoy. Highway driving was nimble and light, but not enough to make up for lurching city version. I made my final decision based on the fact that on the city, the Highlander gets excellent mileage (about 34 miles per gallon). However, on the highway, the mileage is identical to that of the Pilot: 24 miles per gallon. The interior was weak. I think if Toyota wants to make a go of it, they need to play up the hybrid engine and let its passengers have some fun controlling it. The dealer we went to had about 10 Highlander Hybrids on the lot, and none of them had a navigation system which may or may not have allowed us to see the engine work. Overall, a disappointment.

Owner for 0 years, 0 months

Miles Driven per Year:0

Great Family Car For Enviormnetally Contious People. — Great car. Third row seat is strictly for kids (you might be able to get an anorexic adult back there). No problems with any of the hybrid components. Important to follow routine maintenance schedule for the hybrid battery flushes. No real complaints on the car (so far)

Primary Use: Family transportation