Houston Cars

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is an updated version of Toyota’s first hybrid SUV, due in September 2007. The preliminary specs include a powerful 270 HP gas engine / electric motor combo, and EPA ratings of 31 MPG city / 27 MPG highway. For some reason, Toyota only allows the Hybrid Highlander to come with AWD, instead of the more efficient FWD. The reasons behind that choice are a complete mystery. AWD adds unnecessary weigh, which is the enemy of fuel economy.

The 2008 Highlander Hybrid has grown a good bit - in fact, it’s 4 inches longer, three inches wider, and has an extra inch of ground clearance. It had to grow, after all, to differentiate it from the new, larger RAV4. However, all that extra weight means an extra 500 lbs vs the 2007 version - ouch.

I want to like the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, I really do. However, given the significant growth in size and weight, it’s not nearly as fuel efficient as it could, or should be. Maybe Toyota needs to consider dropping the Highlander Hybrid, and going with a RAV4 hybrid instead, to maximize fuel efficiency.

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