Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review

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2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD

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Ratings

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Comments
Favorite feature:	Compact car like gas mileage in a Mid Size SUV with exceptional acceleration.
Least favorite feature:	Heat/AC controls require you to take your eyes off the road to operate.
Advice to buyer:	Other individuals have experienced problems with the vehical refusing to move slippery hills when will spin occurs, this may be of particlar concern if towing a trailer. 2008 Highlander Hybrid may have corrected this problem.
Detailed review:	I have owned my Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD since May 2006 and have but just over 10,000 miles on it. Gas milelage has been EXCELLENT at and average 28-29 MPG during the summer/fall with average speeds of 60 MPH and generally short trips (7 miles). Mileage can easily improve above 30 MPG when engine is warm during city driving (WITHOUT driving like a granny!). During the winter months (I live in the snow belt region around the Great Lakes) my average gas mileage has decreased to 24 MPG as would be expected with temperature below freezing (i.e. engine warmup is longer and engine operates more frequently). I am getting essentially the same mileage (if not marginally better) I did with my 97 Grand AM GT (3.3 litre), and definetly better mileage than any other mid-size SUV. Traction on winter roads has been excellent and the VDIM stability system is very impressive. It is however not very agile at high speeds on twisty roads and warrants some caution as would be expect from a top heavy SUV. Overall I am VERY HAPPY with my Highlander Hybrid. It should be noted that Toyota has a service bulletion greating POOR GAS MILEAGE with the Highlander Hybrid - if the 12V battery has been disconnected (which the dealer is instructed to do if the vehicle is not used for 30 days), or if voltage drops below 7 volts, the idle speed control has to be relearned (a straight forward task that could be done with out the dealer), otherwise vehicle mileage will degraded due to an non-optimum engine idle control/speed.
Also considered:	2006 GMC Envoy XL 2006 Toyota Highlander
Vehicle purchased:	2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid


About This Reviewer...
Location:	Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Other vehicles owned:	None
Review submitted:	February 09, 2007

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