My-Dream-Cars reviews Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2009

Sport utility vehicles have been famous for their features and looks. When they came out, the vehicle became a favorite among celebrities and people were more than willing to buy it. Unfortunately a lot of people are also against it for its size and fuel consumption. It does have the power but at the expense of your wallet and environmental conscience (that is if you have one). Fortunately Ford has decided to follow in the Footsteps of the Toyota Prius. The first ever hybrid car sold on the market.

Due to soaring gas prices, the new technology was supported and Toyota dominated the hybrid automobile market. Ford made a hybrid version of their Ford Escape which started the SUV hybrid. After the successful launch of the Ford Escape, Toyota decided to jump on the bandwagon and created the Highlander Hybrid SUV.

A step up from the Prius
Although it is not clear if Toyota earned a profit from the Prius, they still continued to develop and manufacture hybrids. Sales didn’t pick up until 2004 and when other motor companies decided to make hybrids of their own it was clear that the technology was worth investing in. Toyota then decided to make a hybrid version of their commercially successful Highlander.

The highlander, like other Toyota’s creations has the hybrid synergy system but with a new power train to be able to sustain load carrying requirements of the SUV. It is a formidable propulsion management system in hybrid technology that was also used in the Ford Escape. It has a 3.3 liter V6 engine and two permanent magnet electric motors with a peak power of 270 horsepower (combination of gas engine and electric motor).

The highlander comes in front wheel and four wheel drive. It has daytime running lights, power windows, tilt steering wheel, door locks, cruise control, and a radio and CD sound system with six speakers. It also has a navigational system that monitors on which and how much power it will use from the gas engine and the electric motor. The highlander is also an example of a full hybrid and can run off the electric motor alone.

The highlander, like other Toyota hybrids has regenerative braking, continuous variable transmission, anti-lock system, and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated System. It has the advanced airbag system for the driver and the passengers. The highlander can be expensive but it will be beneficial in the long run.

EXTERIOR features

• Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto on/off feature
• Smoked chrome bezels
• Integrated fog lamps
• Color-keyed foldable power outside mirrors
• Silver-painted grille
• Smoked chrome grille surround and inserts
• Chrome exhaust tip
• UV reduction glass windshield
• Privacy glass on rear side, quarter and tailgate windows
• Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers
• 19-in. 5-spoke aluminum alloy wheels with dark silver-painted accents, P245/55R19 tires and full-size spare tire on alloy wheel
• Dark silver-painted roof rails
• Rear window with electric defogger and intermittent wiper
• Rear glass hatch
• Color-keyed sport-style rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL)
• In-glass antenna with FM diversity reception

INTERIOR features

• Front defroster-linked CFC-free air conditioning with air filter
• AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability and six speakers
• Auxiliary audio jack
• 3.5-inch multi-function display includes backup monitor, clock, outside temperature, cruise information (avg. fuel economy, avg. speed, distance to empty, current fuel economy, and trip timer), warning messages and air conditioning (when front auto a/c is installed)
• Power windows with driver auto up/down with jam protection
• Power door locks with auto shifter activation
• Remote keyless entry system
• Fabric-trimmed power multi-adjustable driver’s seat, manual multi-adjustable front passenger seat with 4-way adjustable headrests and seatback pockets
• Fabric-trimmed 40/20/40 second-row seat with armrest on outboard seats, fold-flat, recline, fore/aft slide adjustment, one-touch right-hand walk-in function, plus Center Stow™ seat and Center Stow™ console
• Fabric-trimmed third-row seat with fold-flat-into-floor capability and folding headrests
• Silver-tone interior trim
• Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and multi-information display controls
• Leather-wrapped shift knob with silver-tone inlay
• Cruise control
• Optitron red-illuminated instrument cluster with speedometer, tachometer, water temperature and fuel gauge meters; LCD odometer with twin tripmeters; and seatbelt disconnect, airbag, door-ajar, battery, oil pressure, brake, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), check engine, scheduled maintenance indicator, and low-fuel level warning lights
• Digital clock
• Illuminated entry system
• Overhead console with map lights and conversation mirror
• Center console with six cup holders, storage compartments and second-row seat vents
• Dual sun visors with vanity mirrors and sliding extensions
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Remote hood and fuel-filler door releases
• Second-row personal reading lamps
• Two front and one cargo area 12V auxiliary power outlets
• Cargo area tonneau cover
• Cargo area second-row-seat one-touch fold-flat levers

SAFETY features

• Star Safety System™ — includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with cutoff switch + Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
• Assist [15]            not available
• Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System
• Driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags
• Three-row roll-sensing side curtain airbags (RSCA)
• Driver’s knee airbag
• Active headrests
• Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
• Front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones
• Side-impact door beams
• Energy-dissipating interior trim
• Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning sensor
• 3-point shoulder belts in all seating positions
• Adjustable shoulder belt anchors for front seating positions
• Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) on driver’s belt, Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractors (ALR/ELR) on all passenger belts
• Front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• Second-row Child Restraint System (CRS) top tether anchors for seating positions and ISO-FIX Child Restraint System (CRS) anchors for outboard seating positions
• Child-protector rear door locks
• Collapsible steering column
• Engine immobilizer
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Gasoline engine — 3.5-liter double overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve dual independent VVT-i V6; 270 hp @ 6200 rpm, 248 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm
• Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
• Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)
• 5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission with intelligence (ECT-i), sequential shift and Snow Mode
• Reinforced unitized body
• Front engine front-wheel drive
• 4-wheel independent MacPherson strut sport-tuned suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars
• Electric power steering (EPS) — rack-and-pinion with power-assist
• Power-assisted ventilated front/solid rear disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist

DIMENSIONS
Exterior Dimensions (in.)

• Overall length/width : 188.4/75.2
• Unloaded height with/without roof rails : 69.3/not available
• Wheelbase : 109.8
• Track (front/rear) : 64.0/64.2

Interior Dimensions, front/middle/rear (in.)

• Head room without moonroof : 40.6/40.1/36.3
• Head room with moonroof : 39.7/40.1/36.3
• Shoulder room : 59.7/59.5/55.0
• Hip room : 56.7/56.5/42.3
• Leg room : 43.2/38.3/29.9
• Seating capacity (without third row) : 7 (5)

Off-Highway

• Approach/departure angle (degrees) : 29/24
• Minimum running ground clearance (in.) : 8.1

CAPACITIES

• Curb weight (lb.) : 4045
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – GVWR (lb.) : 5800
• Towing Capacity (lb.) standard/maximum
• State Towing Laws, Toyota Tow Ratings & Payload Capacities : 2000/5000
• Passenger volume (cu. ft.) with third row : 145.7
• Passenger volume (cu. ft.) without third row : 113.5
• Cargo volume (cu. ft.) behind front/middle/rear seats : 95.4/42.3/10.3
• Fuel capacity (gal.) : 19.2

TIRES

• Size : P245/55R19
• Type : All-Season steel-belted radial blackwalls
• Spare : Full-size

MPG

• EPA Mileage Estimates (city/highway) : 18/24

My-Dream-Cars reviews Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2009