2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Consumer Reviews Page 6

Mine's not Quiet

Written by: Karen on 01/07/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

After a year of research and test driving various SUVs and crossovers we settled on the HH and decided to order exactly what we wanted. We had test driven several HH and other hybrids and all were quiet, but none impressed us like the HH. When our HH came in we were excited. It was beautiful and had everything we wanted, except for the NOISE! When we brake to slow down it sounds like a jet engine winding down. It also has a click. We were expecting the quiet we had experienced with the other HHs we drove, but were greatly disappointed. The dealership has told us that some hybrids have that noise more than others - it is normal. I won't order again. I buy what I test drive on the lot.

Favorite Features

Love the comfort of the vehicle and the solid feel of the car. This is perfect for just my husband and me during the week, but has enough room for when our grandsons are with us on vacation. Gas mileage after 2 tanks is about 26 MPG. Power liftgate, stow and go seat.

Suggested Improvements

Make all of the HHs quiet. Split third row seats. Memory seats. Lower price.

22 out 23 people found this review helpful

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2008 Highlander Hybrid

Written by: Ryan Johnson on 01/07/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

My wife has always wanted the Lexus GX SUV due to reliability, luxury and performance, so for christmas I started shopping vehicles. I had never heard of a Highlander and I am very familiar with cars. When the dealer suggested we consider this new hybrid I had very little interest until sitting in the vehicle and driving it. Wow. It was clearly a better overall vehicle than any of the other SUVs I had been testing. The interior is a family room on wheels. Lots of room, all the features of high end SUVs, and the engine flat out gets after it. We get 24 mpg while driving very aggressive and fast. The all wheel drive has been excellent in the snow.

Favorite Features

Very realistic and comfortable third row seating. Blue tooth, navigation, dual climate control, dvd, jbl stereo, incredible acceleration out of a fuel efficient, all wheel drive, seven passenger SUV. System diagnostic check. Too many great features to list.

Suggested Improvements

Memory seat adjustment feature.

9 out 12 people found this review helpful

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2nd time owner of an HH

Written by: Barry on 12/24/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

Overall very pleased with the vehicle. It is very quiet and smooth riding and plenty of room. I expect the fuel econ to improve at 600 miles driven fuel econ at 23.4 mpg on tank 1 and 25.1 on tank 2

Favorite Features

EV mode for stop & go traffic, captains chairs in 2nd row, bluetooth. Built in XM. Reg fuel, no premium needed

Suggested Improvements

Nav system grays out when moving so even your passenger can't type in destinations, no way to override like in previous years - very annoying. Lack of 3rd row split seats makes it difficult for hauling groceries etc

22 out 23 people found this review helpful

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Fuel Economy Disappointing

Written by: Chris on 12/16/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

Bought 11/2007. Traded a 07 highlander limited because wanted better mpg. Thought a 2008 highlander hybrid would be a good choice. So far not the case. We are paying much much more and getting the same mpg as the 07 highlander. A hybrid should get better than 18 mpg. Tried different octanes and so far nothing has worked. Very, very disappointed and stuck with it.

Favorite Features

Love the extra cup holders up front, bluetooth and power liftgate.

Suggested Improvements

19 out 27 people found this review helpful

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Just had it less than a month

Written by: HybridBuyer on 11/14/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

We replaced a 4Runner with this car. We really like the third row of seats. The car is extremely solid and a pleasure to drive. The seats are very comfortable. It is overall a very well-designed vehicle.

Favorite Features

Third row of seats, rear glass opening, hybrid synergy drive, rear levers to lower second row seats, auxiliary jack to connect iPod to stereo, solidity.

Suggested Improvements

The outside seats in the second row are extremely spacious. As a result, the center seating position is very narrow. A wider center seating position in this row would be nice.

46 out 49 people found this review helpful

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New owner

Written by: Monte521 on 11/13/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

I have had the 2008 Highlander Hybrid for only a short time so there are some items I cannot yet address. The car is very comfortable and quiet. Handling is good, but I have not yet had an opportunity to test it in harder driving (twisting roads, etc.). It is much larger, inside and out, than the 2007 model. The biggest shortcoming is rear visibility. The rear window is so darkly tinted that nothing can be seen when backing in the dark. (Obviously, the rear camera helps a lot in this case.) The second is the ugly color choices. I was able to purchase it for a few hunderd dollars under list.

Favorite Features

Love the back up camera. Driver seating position is just about perfect with the power seat.

Suggested Improvements

Better choice of colors. More sensible option packages. Ability to purchase leather and upgraded audio system in the base model.

26 out 28 people found this review helpful

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2008 Highlander Hybrid a success

Written by: TLB on 11/10/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

The Highlander Hybrid is almost everything we hoped for, typical Toyota near perfect fit and finish. Mileage is averaging 25 after 1st 1200 miles. High tank on Oregon Coast trip of 29 MPG, low tank MPG 23. My experience with hilly areas with any hybrid CVT produce lower mileage figures and holds true with the Highlander. I have owned Escape, Prius and Civic hybrids with this being smoothest drive train transition of any hybrid. Decision between RX 400 and waiting for Highlander has been good one. More room and seating configurations, better mileage.

Favorite Features

Econ mode hybrid function, navigation best factory system in the business, Bluetooth handsfree, seat configurations and ease of use.

Suggested Improvements

Needs memory seat, mirror and tilt/tele steering wheel of Lexus.

40 out 40 people found this review helpful

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Finally, a 2008 HiHy!

Written by: BanditoB on 11/06/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

I was fortunate in finding a 2008 Highlander Hybrid Limited in one of the colors that I wanted, Iced Amethyst Mica, and equipped the way I wanted it, everything but Nav and RES, that wasn't either special ordered for someone or already claimed! I picked it up last night, so it's a little early to make any firm commitments about anything, but so far we're off to a great start. I've not noticed any build or fit and finish issues and I am pretty meticulous about these things. Driving it is a pleasure and makes me intensely curious about what, exactly, is going on 'under the hood.' This will be a vehicle that's fun to drive and will also keep me intrigued for a long time to come.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth, hybrid synergy drive, power liftgate, extendable thigh bolster on driver's seat, compass mirror, and Homelink!

Suggested Improvements

I'd really love to have a tachometer so I could see what the motor is doing at any given time (perhaps I'll go aftermarket for that). What happened to the LED taillights?? How about HID projector lamps up front? A reall iPod interface! A bit less expensive (okay, a LOT), would be nice also.

8 out 19 people found this review helpful

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It rocks

Written by: Danielle on 11/02/2007

Vehicle

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

Review

I love this car. Everything is right where it should be. It is comfortable and luxurious, especially for a Toyota. Way nicer, bigger and more features than the Lexus 400h. The only complaint is the price tag.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

16 out 26 people found this review helpful

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