SUV Review: Toyota Highlander Hybrid

As the owner of a Toyota Highlander since 2001, I was pleased when Toyota released a hybrid of this popular car model. When my stepfather decided to put his name on the waiting list for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid after owning the Toyota Prius Hybrid, I was excited to see how the car shaped up. How does the classic Toyota Highlander compare to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid? More importantly, how does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid compare to other SUVs and hybrid cars on the market today?

The Wait
My stepfather did have to wait a few months on a waiting list for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. However, the wait wasn't as long as it had been for the Toyota Prius. Sadly, neither hybrid purchase allowed him to drive off of the lot with a car on the day of the purchase like you could do with a classic Toyota Highlander like mine today.

Mileage
Without a doubt, my stepfather does get better gas mileage with his Toyota Highlander Hybrid than I do with my 2001 Toyota Highlander. He estimates that he gets 24-26 MPG, where I get 17-18 MPG. However, neither version of the Toyota Highlander SUV can compare to the Toyota Prius, with which my stepfather boasts 35-40 MPG.

The Cars
Both versions of the Toyota Highlander are very roomy. The hybrid and my 2001 Highlander offer 5 room seats, decent trunk room, and a luggage rack for additional storage. The seats are comfortable, offer lumbar support, good recline, and can lay flat for moving large items or packing a lot into the car. Both are substantially roomier than the Toyota Prius. In addition, as Toyotas, all three cars offer a variety of options for an additional price

Additional Thoughts about Hybrids
Though my stepfather loves the room the Toyota Highlander has to offer, he definitely misses the better gas mileage from Toyota Prius. Sadly, even a hybrid SUV will never be able to boast gas mileage like a smaller and more compact hybrid. Better gas mileage does come with a price, however, as the size of the Toyota Prius can be problematic for larger families.

Additional Thoughts on Toyota Highlanders
If you can swing the higher price tag for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid (the 2008 Toyota Highlander starts at $27,300, but the Toyota Highlander Hybrid starts at $34,350), it is definitely a great purchase. Both cars are identical in terms of exterior, interior, and safety options, so purchasing the hybrid over the classic Toyota Highlander is something you should consider when making your purchase.

Conclusions
The Toyota Highlander is a great car. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a better car, though slightly more expensive upfront. But if you are considering a hybrid, don't close the door on a smaller hybrid car like the Toyota Prius. Smaller, less expensive, and with better gas mileage, it may be a better bet than the Toyota Highlander, regardless of the version you purchase.