2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid - Drive Time Review

[Toyota4Life]

BEST IN CLASS. Looks great also

[Charles2337]

I like it.

[crimsoninred]

Theres always a base model. This looks very substantial. Il get one. So it can be used on long rigorous trips.

[Vanrocco66]

$46,000 for THAT???Are you kidding me?? For that money I'll buy an Audi Q5 or a new Saab 9-4x. It's not worth that kind of money to me to get an extra 5 mpg.

[kalargyi]

this or RX400h ? same price, same motor.

[flexor212000]

The Highlander Hybrid is still cost prohibitive. You can get a Limited for 37k. The gas savings the Hybrid gets would take something like 5 years before you'd ever get the extra investment back. Thanks for the review though!

[LeadHammer]

Toyota clearly states that RX400h and the Highlander Hybrid are not intended for off-road use. Therefore, a Sienna makes a helluva more sense for hauling 7 people and lotsa stuff. Make it Sienna AWD for snowy mountain roads. Hybrid crossovers are just a marketing fluke. What, the Sienna is not hybrid? Right, THIS IS what Toyota should be working at - a hybrid minivan.

[stevehammes]

@LeadHammer Not a bad idea. 

[76carmel]

@LeadHammer

I think the only reason a Sienna with Synergy Drive (a.k.a. Toyota's Hybrid system) isn't there is because Toyota is trying to find a location of its Lith-Ion battery, usually in the rear of the vehicle. Also, the versitility should not be sacrificed unlike some hybrid passenger vehicles. But a Sienna Hybrid? Good point.

[thomasp1717]

@LeadHammer ford is introducing a plug in hybrid van in 2012

[tinleo333]

@LeadHammer soon wait

the prius v is a short wheel base minivan

[LeadHammer]

@tinleo333 The Prius V is a wagon. To me, a minivan must have three rows and seat 7 to 9 people. Hence the American 6-seater Mazda5 is not a minivan in my book; the European version seats 7. I will see what Ford will offer in 2012, if it also is a 6-seater then I will pass it by just like the Mazda5.

I think that packaging a battery in a full-size minivan will be easier than in a Mazda5-sized car.

[tinleo333]

@LeadHammer some suv can carry 5 peoples and others 9 but a ford escape or an expedition amall or big they are suv

same for the minivans or mini van

[thecarexpert21]

One of my relatives still has is 2006 highlander hybrid limited. GREAT car anyone who is interested! Very quiet still and even though my relative drives it as if it were a Ferrari, uses it to transport is MANY tools to houses in need of fixing, no matter how much you beat your Toyota it will keep "Moving Foward" Love the car.

[mikldude]

i`d be a bit worried when it gets a few miles on the odo, how much are parts going to cost (how much do toyota parts cost now), and the extra complexity should something fail.

[jojo0827]

@mikldude its a toyota. it would be fine.. now if it were a volkwagen... thats a whole other story

[bajabusta]

thats a lot of coin.

[hangene92]

Why are people hating, I think this toyota highlander is soo worth the money. Soo luxurious in the inside, nicely and newly redesigned and good resale value! Good review, and damnn the interior looks soo luxurious.

[TheSmartdude11]

@hangene92 because everybody has a honda or toyota. people want to have a car that isnt commonly seen on the road,and its kinda boring and bland seeing them on the road everyday.

[hangene92]

@TheSmartdude11 well, theres both goods and bads side about everyone having a honda or toyota. You are right, its very common and u see it everywhere but that would mean that if your car breaks down there are lots of parts available in the market bringing prices down, lots of aftermarket, high resale value, and your getting the brand recognition. Bad side is that the car gets boring, blends in, isnt something outside the box, and when u forget where u parked ur car u cant find it lol.

[TheSmartdude11]

@hangene92 lol yeah

[76carmel]

For those who can't afford the Lexus RX hybrid, here's a good choice, and it has a 3rd row. Also, for 3 row SUV's, the Highlander's hybrid model is in a class by itself.

[JAYFROMHARLEM]

@76carmel What about the Honda Pilot??

[76carmel]

@JAYFROMHARLEM

What I was referring to was the fact that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the only one in its 3-row SUV class that is, well, a hybrid vehicle. I like the look of the Pilot, but recently I feel that Honda's styling has grown a little stale.

[LTF85199]

The max i would ever pay for a truck this big is $30k

[mrstix2306]

The taxi co that's in my city as all Toyota hybrid's and they have 4 highlander hybrid's

[jvrdlc]

great car, too much money

[walkthepark]

40k?

i'll buy a regular highlander and use the extra ~10k for gas money and whatnot..

[miami428]

At that price range I would buy a real 4x4 that is off road capable(Jeep). Not a soccer mom vehicle that considers the mall parking lot entrance off roading. LOL

[droppinsumfudge]

@miami428 but those cars have nothing to do with each other... thats like saying "at that price range, i would rather buy a bmw 3 series"... why would anyone who buys this car want to go off roading?? are you forgetting that toyota makes a 4runner?

[1waffleiron]

@miami428 Yeah, the highlander is basically a minivan on steroids...

[vothry]

I just want that sub-compact Prius.