2008 Highlander Hybrid Debuts

It may seem a bit anticlimactic to say that the fuel economy for the all-new, next generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid is exactly the same as the last one - an EPA estimated 31 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. It's true, this may not be the news that hard-core hybrid advocates are looking for, but it should sit just fine with the Highlander's family demographic. That's because the new Highlander - both hybrid and non-hybrid - is larger, roomier, and more powerful than the vehicle it replaces...all without a fuel economy penalty.

Chief among the new Highlander's improvements is a long list of safety features that includes a total of seven airbags, a backup camera on all but the base models, active head restraints, and a hood and fender system that crumples on impact with a pedestrian. The Camry-derived chassis is longer and wider, which Toyota says translates into a passenger compartment that is open and airy, and more flexible. Non-hybrid Highlanders feature a new 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 270 horsepower; the Hybrid also delivers 270 horsepower, but does so with a 3.3-liter V-6 and electric motors. Despite the Highlander's 500 pound weight gain due to the safety enhancements and additional equipment, improvements to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive maintain last year's rather impressive EPA estimated fuel economy numbers.