2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Consumer Reviews

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.

3 out 4 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

1 out 1 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.

1 out 1 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.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great Green SUV

Written by: JE on 06/20/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I have had this car since Dec 2007 and love it. I've been averaging 25.5 mpg (through winter, spring, and summer driving). It's been great for my family of four with plenty of space. I bought the base model but added leather (through a 3rd party), nav, bluetooth, iPod connectivity, DVD interoperability, a rear DVD player and heated seats. These additions probably saved me approx $5K over getting them through Toyota on the Limited package.

Favorite Features

Driving is extremely comfortable - quiet ride, very smooth, lots of room.

Suggested Improvements

Toyota should offer more options in the base package. I had the POPULAR PLUS package which is nice but I wasn't able to do any a la carte from it.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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I would buy another one

Written by: mcnamara on 06/14/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

We have owned the vehicle for 5 months. There has not been one problem with the car. Mileage 27.5 mpg city and 26 - 30 mpg on the highway. Most driving is at 5,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. Gasoline is typically purchased with an ethanol/regular mixture. The ride is quiet and smooth. Plenty of power.

Favorite Features

Lots of room for a family of 4 plus all of the stuff. Mid row captain chairs with middle seat option is great. Like the fact that we have an available 3rd row of seats if needed. Auto lift gate, XM radio, ride, auto temperature, digital display status.

Suggested Improvements

Plug in electric for city driving 40 mpg average would be a good goal for a vehicle of this size

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Could be a lemon

Written by: Sr Tocino on 06/04/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

We have purchased the hybrid and so far we are far from satisfied. The black box that displays engine performance has died. Lojack and handsfree telephone (dealer installed) took 2 weeks to get installed and the handsfree doesn't work and there was no manuals for either. We were told by the salesman and his manager we could get a luggage rack without having to get the sunroof (between skin cancer on my bald head and the fact I'm 6'4" the sunroof takes up headroom) only to be told after buying the car we couldn't get a rack without the sunroof package. We bought the vehicle to take our kayak and gear to the shore, now we can't. I feel that Toyota is taking customers for granted.

Favorite Features

gas mileage

Suggested Improvements

Roofracks, aftermarket add ons that work.

11 out 23 people found this review helpful

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Great Car ! Very happy with purchase.

Written by: JAB on 05/31/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

We bought this vehicle about 6 weeks ago and love it! The mileage is right about what it is rated at 27/city, 25/hwy. It probably could get better but I don't like always driving like a grandma so that's great mpg for me. The car has a lot of power when you need it such as getting on highways, etc., and has a smooth ride.

Favorite Features

Popular Plus package with auto lift-gate and separate glass opening, auto temperature for front and second row seats, third row seating. The space is great!

Suggested Improvements

Programmable seating for 2 drivers. Slightly sportier suspension.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Well-planned

Written by: mb on 05/27/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

I love this car! We got it b/c we wanted an SUV for kids and knew we'd get hit hard at gas pumps, but also b/c in test drive, it was the most comfortable, and most thoughtfully planned interior of many SUVs, including new Acuras. I've had a honda for 11 yrs and enjoyed the FWD, the reliability and all the nooks and crannies in it (I miss those hidden compartments) but this car has style, more cupholders than you could possibly need and that 3rd seat in the 2nd row is an amazing feature!

Favorite Features

Nav system, bluetooth, sunroof, watching the energy go from elec to gas and back, 12 cupholders and I LOVE the auto open/close hatchback

Suggested Improvements

Allow nav system changes while driving - what's the passenger for, anyway?! Reduce cost. You certainly don't break even at the gas station when you pay 10k extra for hybrid, but it may sell quicker in a few yrs than the typical SUV guzzler.

7 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Mixed emotions

Written by: grider on 05/22/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

My feelings on this vehicle are very mixed. We bought this to replace our gas guzzling pathfinder. It is touted as getting between 25 & 27 miles to the gallon, which we were getting until about a month ago when it fell and has not gone above 22 MPG. We took it in to get inspected and went through all the obvious factors, tire pressure, driving habits,and so on. They informed us that it takes 5,000 to 10,000 miles to "break in" the vehicle and see the actual MPG.We were informed that 26 MPG was not actually realistic and those tests are done under conditions which are impossible to drive under. I am not saying its a bad vehicle, but don't believe your salesperson that u are going to get 26 MPG

Favorite Features

Very comfortable and spacious

Suggested Improvements

Lower the price!! You are saving money in gas just to jack up your payment. FYI, they took away the tax incentive for this hybrid vehicle because people were buying too many we did not find this out until after purchase, we just assumed we would get the tax incentive.

12 out 12 people found this review helpful

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