2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Consumer Reviews Page 2

More Than Expected

Written by: Freemarket2010 on 09/03/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Picked this up last month. Got it at invoice since the car market is slow and 2009 models are coming. VERY impressed with the car. Drove every hybrid out there and thought the RX400h would be the one but there is really no comparison between the two. The RX is an older, noisier, less luxurious ride than the Highlander and, interestingly, very few people realize that. That may change in 2010 with the new RXh. This Highlander really excels in many areas. Mileage around town has been 26.5 mpg-better than we read here. It is very quiet and the intelligence of the interior layout is impressive. This is my wife's car and she's coming from a Lexus LS430 Ultra and she is more than satisfied.

Favorite Features

Smart Key is very impressive. Locking and unlocking are easy and quick as is the start up of the car. The key hasn't left my or my wife's pocket yet. The visual displays are informative and easy to understand. Sound quality on the JBL is better than expected. The quietness of the cabin is very good.

Suggested Improvements

Any more luxury features would compete too directly with Lexus. If you put your foot into it with ECON off, this machine goes... a little more horses, however, wouldn't hurt my feelings. Cars generally disappoint me but this is an impressive vehicle thus far.

14 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Green SUV of the future

Written by: SUV_PRO on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I'm an extremely experience & picky SUV driver, I've spent over 2 months test driving several SUVs in the market which includes BMW X5, BMW X6, Land Rover LR3, Mercedes M-Class, and Porsche Cayenne. Yes, they are nice and fast, but nothing blow me away like Highlander Hybrid, it amazed me by its unconventional and futuristic technology with Synergy drive, VDIM, and CVT. European/American SUVs in the market attract the buyer by putting a bigger engine, bigger disk brakes to achieve better speed and cornering, but none of them put as much work as Toyota on engineering such clean and environmentally friendly vehicle. I am getting 29 MPG with my Highlander Hybrid in mix city/highway.

Favorite Features

Highlander Hybrid's interior is about 1/3 less noise than BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne. The second generation Synergy drive is really a technological marvel, it's so refined. VDIM definitely beats BMW's DSC; I've seen several videos on the web, it outperforms BMW X5 when racing on wet/ice surface.

Suggested Improvements

The mechanical part of this vehicle is extremely competent. The exterior design is muscular, but not as attractive or sporty as some of the Europeans. But it has great futuristic looks which I really love. The interior gives very airy feeling for both passengers and drivers which is a big plus.

17 out 17 people found this review helpful

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We love our Highlander Hybrid

Written by: nihonkara on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We were moving back to the US from Japan and wanted a Hybrid SUV. We are planning on a larger family than we have right now and needed the space. Also, since the gas prices had been going sky-high, we felt we needed the hybrid. We also did some simple math computation and realized that getting the hybrid for about $4K more that the non-hybrid, we could save about $3K in gas per year. (It pays for itself in 2 years!) Haven't had ANY trouble, it is perfect.

Favorite Features

Hybrid system, back-up camera, and it is very quiet. Averaging about 25 MPG highway and city combined.

Suggested Improvements

Fog lights standard and possibly sunroof. We love our Hybrid.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Like a Lexus

Written by: Basuk on 08/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Driven several BMW, Mercedes, and Land Rover SUVs Highlander Hybrid is far superior in terms of comfort, fuel economy and reliability. I have been driving my new HiHy for about a month and still wondering how it is putting together especially the transition from EV to ICE is seamless. Because of my office's location I have to drive approx 3 hours a day, and driving this vehicle is really effortless and smooth without worrying wasting gas in traffic jams. This car is innovative, it has leading edge technology, and the most important it is extremely reliable.

Favorite Features

Hybrid system, brakes, handling, fuel economy, fit and finish, technology.

Suggested Improvements

None

8 out 13 people found this review helpful

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18 days and 2 tanks

Written by: Initial Impressions on 07/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I've had this vehicle for about 680 miles and two tanks at 23.5 and 25.5 mpg. Not bad coming from a V8 Grand Cherokee @ 13 mpg. Ride is comfortable but a bit soft according to my preferences. Body roll and motions are controlled but nevertheless a bit too active for my taste. Steering is light which is good in parking lots but overly sensitive on the highway. Hybrid system works well but requires much attention to use effectively and optimally. Overall, the vehicle is quiet and suits my family needs well albeit in an unexciting and uninspiring way. If not for the hybrid system and the need for a SUV, I would have looked elsewhere.

Favorite Features

Hybrid system, energy monitor, small LCD display features, 2nd row leg room, 2nd row captain's chair, 2nd row fore/aft adjustment and recline feature, 2nd/3rd row HVAC vents in ceiling,

Suggested Improvements

Driver's memory seat std, 6-way min pass seat, remove navi lockout, real iPod interface, trailer hitch std, split 3rd row, increase EV to 40mph, more flexibility when EV mode can be used, allow rear DVD to play thru speakers, location ID for tire press, pwr folding ext mirrors, lower price by $4k

14 out 17 people found this review helpful

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Initial Impressions

Written by: MJS on 07/08/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

~200 miles so far. Comfortable but chassis is geared for grandma. I prefer more responsive steering and suspension feedback but hey, this is a Toyota. I bought this for the MPG only and the need for a SUV. Otherwise not too exciting. Ride is quiet but steering is a bit loose at highway speeds. Too much assist and its not the speed sensitive type. Center console lacks imagination. No coin slot for individual coins amongst others. I can fit a rear facing carseat behind the passenger seat and someone can still ride in the front. Too bad you can't put the child seat in the center and have two 2nd row passengers (seat belt interferes) So far about 24mpg... lots of breaking in left

Favorite Features

MPG, drivers seat thigh extension, secondary LCD screen, EV mode, captains chairs in 2nd row, full size spare, 2nd/3rd row HVAC vents in ceiling, reliability (I hope), power rear hatch, push button start

Suggested Improvements

Fully functional navi, driver's memory seats, 8-way pass power seat, tow hitch std, tire pressure location indicator, true iPod connection & charge, Rear DVD to play thru vehicle speakers, more cargo storage bins like 09 Pilot, side window shades, larger sunroof, raise EV speed to 40, split 3rd row

9 out 10 people found this review helpful

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A Keeper

Written by: Design Professional on 06/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Since purchasing our Toyota Highlander Hybrid in December of 2007, we've driven nearly 9,000 miles. The car sees cold and snow when we visit Colorado in the winter and extreme heat when we visit Arizona in the summer. It is comfortable in both extremes. Very good in snow and ice, and quite at home on Mexico beaches. We've averaged 26-27 MPG with little effort, but we do drive somewhat slower with gas at $4.00. The interior features are a little more than we desired, but we wanted leather seating. The backup camera is hard to see when it's sunny and we have a small hard to detect rattle in the dash. We're sure Toyota will find the rattle and we'll keep the car until it has a plug-in accessory

Favorite Features

Hybrid technology (mileage), comfort, great seats for long drives, quality, durability, back gate opening and closing, roomier than our 2005 and good service,

Suggested Improvements

Make the rearview camera really an accessory, pay more attention to rattles and quality, give the hybrid an option of a little more off-road capability and stiffer suspension. Roof rack more functional and cross-bars included. Let rear gate open with a ski box on top. Please-a plug-after market.

13 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Highlander Hybrid A Great Car

Written by: Alan Allison on 06/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We have owned the H/H for 4 months and love the vehicle. It drives and rides like a dream. We took 4 people, 4 medium suitcases, and 4 sets of golf clubs on a 1300 mile golf and wine buying trip. The back was full to the ceiling but we still had room for two cases of wine to bring home.Overall gas mileage is averaging 25mpg. So far we get better highway mpg 26-27 than city 24-25. Gas mileage was about 2.5 mpg higher before Oregon stuck it to the public with ethanol. Acceleration and passing ability is good, but if you lead foot the car a lot while driving it will cost you in mileage.

Favorite Features

Seating comfort, hybrid drive system, steering and handling.

Suggested Improvements

Shed some weight and improve the gas mileage even further

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Love this car!

Written by: ilener on 06/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I owned an Audi A6 prior to this and all I can say is I love this car! Sure, the Audi looked a little sportier, but it was constantly having mechanical problems or one little plastic piece or another break off inside. This car is much more rugged and reliable. It can take abuse by bumpy roads and kids without a hiccup. I love the keyless remote - so handy when my keys are at the bottom of my purse. The huge backup camera screen, extra wide mirror, and super adjustable seat mean that I can be comfortable and have great visibility. My sister has a comparably sized Acura and is gets a measly 10mpg, far below its advertised mpg -- and the dealer has not been able to fix it. Love my car!

Favorite Features

Interior comfort and all around durability

Suggested Improvements

More color choices in fully optioned vehicles. DVD option in Hybrids should be available.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Does everyting well

Written by: gwnorth on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD w/3rd Row (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We bought this car in need of a vehicle with enough space for two kids, two dogs, and two adults with the hopes of getting some respectable mileage. It has meet our needs well and so far we have averaged about 27 mpg using the econ mode and focusing on how we drive the vehicle. Toyota builds a great car, just not a very exciting car. Don't get me wrong, it does everyting it is supposed to do and does it well, just very conservatively and below the radar. We are pleased with our purchase and hope to get many great years out of our new HH!

Favorite Features

Mileage, Blizzard Pearl color, ride quality.

Suggested Improvements

At this price point I think memory seats and a 10 way passenger seat would be appropriate.

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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