The New Highlander Hybrid Has Everything You Could Want in a Midsize SUV

Toyota Highlander Hybrid in Mission Hills

The 2009 Highlander Hybrid is a great option for those drivers who need plenty of passenger space and great fuel economy. The Highlander Hybrid features a gasoline-electrice powertrain and can be driven on a combination of gasoline and electric or one or the other. It exhibits its most stunning fuel saving abilities in the city, where it can run on only electric power in stop and go traffic. Caranddriver.com commented that the combination drivetrain "works unobtrusively and is largely transparent in most situations." You'll be saving fuel to the tune of 27 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. With 150 cubic feet of interior space, your passengers will have room to spread out in. Additionally, there's no need to plug it in, since the gasoline engine and brake friction replace energy lost by the electric motor. The horepower is 209, which isn't too far behind the original Highlander. And it's nice to know that Electronic On-Demand 4-wheel drive with intelligence also comes standard.

Every new Highlander Hybrid is stylishly accented with a silver-painted grille, color-keyed foldable power outside mirrors, blue-tinted headlamp and taillamp bezels, chrome door handles, and a unique Hybrid grille with a chrome surround. The proof is in the picture! The new Highlander Hybrid also includes those super convenient exterior elements, like washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers, a UV reduction glass windshield, an in-glass antenna with FM diversity reception, and a rear window electric defogger and intermittent wiper. You'll also be glad to know that every new Hybrid comes with the Cold Weather Package, which includes a windshield de-icer grid and heated power outside mirrors. You can even take all of your stuff with you if you drive a new Highlander Hybrid. Each comes equipped with a Hybrid Towing Prep Package that includes a 3500-lb. towing capacity, 240-watt fan coupling, a heavy duty radiator, a prewired harness, and a transmission oil cooler with a water cooler.

The luxurious interior includes features like front defroster-linked CFC-free air conditioning with an air filter, an auxiliary audio jack, power windows with driver auto up/down, power door locks, a remote keyless entry system and a Smart Key System that includes push button start and remote illuminated entry (if you have a pace maker check with your doctor before activating the Smart Key System). Each new Highlander Hybrid also includes a tilt/telescopic adjustable steering leather wheel with audio and multi-information display controls. There's still more awesome interior features to talk about, like the center console with six cup holder, cruise control, and 3.5-inch multi-function display that includes a backup monitor for making backing up easier.

With all of the standard safety features on the new Highlander Hybrid it's little surprise that it received five stars for the driver and five stars for the passenger in government safety side crash tests and five stars for the driver and four for the passenger in frontal crash tests. You'll feel secure knowing that the 2009 Highlander Hybrid comes with the Star Safety System with Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, which can help drivers to maintain control on adverse road conditions. It includes Anti-lock Brakes, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, and Traction Control. Highlander Hybrid's designers definitely haven't skimped on safety. You'll find a whole armada of air bags including driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags, three-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags, and a driver's knee airbag. Other safety and security features include active headrests to help prevent whiplash, Hill Start Assist Control, 3-point shoulder belts in all seating positions, child-protector rear door locks and an engine immobilizer. If you'd like to see more of what a new Highlander Hybrid has to offer, call Toyota Santa Monica today to schedule a test drive.

Mission Hills and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid