Vehicle Information

On one hand, the small SUV market seems like a really natural niche for a hybrid; on the other hand buyers of these very capable and practical sized sports utility vehicles expect a lot of bang for their buck. As of 2006 when Toyota introduced the Highlander Hybrid, the market was flooded with small SUVs and crossovers offering all kinds of truck toughness and car comfort combinations. Toyota wisely decided that in order to convince buyers to spend the extra cash on a hybrid model, they would have to offer more than fuel economy. Mission accomplished. The 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered drivers 268 horse power. That’s 40 more horse power than the hybrid’s gas engine counterpart. The increased horsepower combined with the seamless use of the electric motor and gas engine give the Highlander Hybrid some impressive get-up and go.
While Toyota seems to have wisely marketed and engineered Highlander as a functional SUV that is gentler on the environment, the Highlander Hybrid’s impressive miles per gallon is nothing to sneeze at. The seven passenger SUV gets about 30 mpg combined highway and city driving. While this isn’t going to compete with Civic Hybrid or Prius type mileage, the Highlander Hybrid is a people mover that is big enough to move the average American family easily from work to school and even to play. There’s room to strap a kayak or a surf board to the roof and still bring all the kids.
The practicality of the Highbred Highlander, combined with its perfectly normal SUV exterior, has proven extremely popular with consumers. Highlander Hybrid blends in so people don’t always realize how many of them are actually on the road. The Highlander Hybrid is available in two wheel drive or four wheel drive. Toyota is famous for the development of it’s off road technology, and makes no bones about the fact that the Highlander is not an off road vehicle. The four wheel drive option is intended for use in inclement weather or on slightly muddy forest service roads, not rock crawling. Still, the combination of hybrid technology and four wheel drive is attractive to a lot of people weaning themselves off of the huge gas guzzling SUVs of the 90s.
The Highlander Hybrid comes in two basic trim levels, standard and limited. Standard is just what it sounds like and doesn’t include some of the added bells and whistles of other Toyota hybrid models such as Camry. The limited trim level includes options such as fog lights, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, JBL stereo and a rear spoiler.
Overall, the Highlander Hybrid is a great option for people seeking a kinder, gentler SUV that remains practical for everyday use. The Hybrid Highlander is kinder to the environment and gentler on the wallet at the pump. The Highlander Hybrid is also perfectly built for respectfully handling the demands of most SUV drivers.

Specifications for Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2006-2007

Suspension Four-wheel independent MacPherson struts with front and rear stabilizer bars.
Engine • Gas: 3.3-liter DOHC 24-valve V6
• Electric: Two permanent magnet motors
Horespower • Gas: 208 hp at 5,600 rpm
• Electric (driving the front wheels): 167 hp at 4,400 rpm
• Electric (driving the rear wheels): 68 hp at 4,610 to 5,120 rpm
Torque • Gas: 212 lb.-ft. at 4,400 rpm
• Electric (driving the front wheels): 247 lb.-ft. from 0 to 1,500 rpm
• Electric (driving the rear wheels): 96 lb.-ft. at 0 to 610 rpm
Acceleration Zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds (est.)
EPA Mileage 33 mpg city/ 28 mpg highway
(front-wheel drive)