2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

While hybrid power is the attraction in this machine, it offers another technology with an appeal. It's called Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, or VDIM?VDIM is a vehicle stability/traction control system that takes safety up another notch.

-- Chicago Tribune

Acceleration is excellent at any speed, thanks to the electric motor assist.

-- Edmunds.com

The new Highlander Hybrid is surprisingly powerful, more powerful than the regular V6 models. The Hybrid combines a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor, or two motors in the case of all-wheel-drive models. The electric motor improves acceleration?

-- New Car Test Drive

Highlander's popularity is partly because it's a Toyota, which promises top-notch quality, durability and reliability.

-- New Car Test Drive

What reviewers liked least about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

Turn the key in the hybrid and there's a few-second pause for the "ready" light to go on. Then wait of a few more seconds for the nickel-metal-hydride batteries to activate the electric motor to get the machine going. Chances are bank robbers would never use one as a getaway car.

-- Chicago Tribune

Those dedicated to the cause of relief from reliance on foreign oil have to pay $6,800 more for a base hybrid and $7,700 more for the Limited than if they bought the V-6 Highlander minus the NiMH batteries.

-- Chicago Tribune

The standard Highlander has a light and somewhat "tossable" nature but the added weight of the hybrid version gives it a more cumbersome feel around tight turns.

-- Edmunds.com

This urge to speed comes at a major cost to fuel economy. It's estimated at just 33/28 mpg City/Highway by the EPA, and you may never see that.

-- New Car Test Drive

Best one-liner about the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

It makes $2 a gallon gas a little more tolerable, and you can thumb your nose at those Mideast sheiks.

-- Chicago Tribune

Toyota is leading the way toward having your SUV cake and eating it, too.

-- Motor Trend