2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid [ 2008 ]
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Overall Score - 8.2 (Very Good)
The Highlander Hybrid has a spacious interior, capable handling and good around-town fuel economy, but lacks the edgy exterior styling found on most hybrids. If you're in the market for an affordable midsize SUV, you should also consider the conventional Toyota Highlander and the GMC Acadia, which also achieve competitive fuel economy for the class. For an alternative hybrid SUV option, consider the highly rated (but premium-priced) Lexus RX Hybrid.
The 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid continues its reputation as a great family car with a spacious interior, confident handling and practical hybrid technology. A new edition of the Highlander Hybrid is being introduced for the 2008 model year.
To most people, the Highlander Hybrid (and its sibling, the conventional Highlander) are anything but exciting. But that's not to say they're disliked. Edmunds notes, "As the first seven-passenger hybrid vehicle Toyota's alternative-powered SUV is revolutionary in its own quiet kind of way. This hybrid should make the move into the high-tech age painless for the typical family car buyer." Versatility, reliability, and roominess have led the Highlander (including the Highlander Hybrid) to be, as Kelley Blue Book points out, "one of the most popular crossover SUVs on the market."
Experts recommend considering the Highlander Hybrid if you want to go green. But don't assume that you'll be saving money versus a conventional Highlander. The USA TODAY points out that "hybrids typically fall well short of their fuel-economy ratings. Most people won't save enough on fuel to offset the higher initial price unless they roll up traveling salesman's miles or keep the hybrid nearly a decade." In addition, BusinessWeek says the "bad news" is that the Highlander Hybrid is "pretty pricey" relative to its class, and a notable amount more than most other SUV hybrids.
IntelliChoice has named the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a "Best in Class" winner for Best Overall Value of the Year and a "SmartChoice" winner for Lowest Fuel Costs. IntelliChoice also gives the Highlander Hybrid a value rating of "excellent" for its predicted five-year cost of ownership compared to other vehicles in its class.
Highlander Hybrid Performance - 8.1 (Very Good)
The Highlander Hybrid receives ample praise for its smooth power delivery and effortless shifts. Edmunds says it's "an excellent family SUV that accommodates the needs of most SUV buyers while delivering the benefits of hybrid technology," and USA TODAY calls the Highlander Hybrid "fun to scoot in." continue
Highlander Hybrid Exterior - 5.5 (Mediocre)
The 2007 Highlander Hybrid's exterior is nearly identical to the gas engine Highlander, an aging design due for a 2008 model year update. The Washington Post calls the body "conservative" and "inoffensive." To most everyone, it's plain vanilla. continue
Highlander Hybrid Interior - 7.9 (Good)
The interior is generally liked for its simple, solid design and excellent ergonomics. Car and Driver calls the Hybrid cabin of "superb fit and finish." The 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid seats four to five adults comfortably and comes with an optional third-row bench, which seats up to two more. continue
Highlander Hybrid Safety - NA
Although there is no current crash test data available specifically for the hybrid model, the conventional Highlander received a stellar 5 stars out of 5 in both frontal and side-impact government crash tests and the highest rating of "good" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. continue
Highlander Hybrid Reliability - 9.0 (Excellent)
The 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Highlander comes with a basic warranty covering three years or 36,000 miles. continue