newenglandhybrid

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 3.3-liter V-6 paired with two electric motors where the transmission would go, plus one more electric motor to drive the rear wheels. The gasoline engine is smooth and refined. When using gasoline plus electrons, the hybrid powertrain produces 270 horsepower, which gives the Highlander Hybrid quick V-8-style acceleration, even though the 2009 Highlander is a larger and heavier vehicle than the one it replaces. EPA-estimated mileage is 27 mpg city, 25 mpg highway.

Safety features on all models include dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags for thorax protection, head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows, a driver’s knee airbag, active front headrests, tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes, traction control, antiskid control, and hill-start assist. Hill descent control is standard on AWD models.

Hybrid and Limited models upgrade with leather upholstery, 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat and four-way power front passenger’s seat, front dual-zone automatic climate control, and Homelink universal transmitter, foldable power outside mirrors with puddle lamps. Limited models also come with opening rear glass, a rear tonneau cover, cargo area levers to fold the second-row seats, and the multi-function display. Limited models ride on the standard suspension, but they get the 245/55R19 tires and 19-inch wheels.

Awards
2008 Highlander Hybrid Lowest Fuel Costs Award
2008 Highlander Hybrid Kiplinger’s Personal Finance: Best New Crossover Award
2008 Five-star Rating in Driver Frontal and Side-impact Crash Tests
2008 Highest Frontal Crash-test Rating