For 2011 the Toyota Highlander Hybrid gets new styling updates, a few more standard features, better fuel economy and 10 more horsepower.
Well, there is now, and it's the 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. For 2011, the midsize Toyota Highlander Hybrid crossover SUV is offered in two trim levels: base and Limited.
The Limited can be had with the JBL sound system, the navigation system and the rear seat DVD entertainment system.
Powering the "2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a hybrid system consisting of a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and a trio of electric motors. Properly equipped, the Highlander Hybrid"can also tow trailers up to 3,500 pounds.
The 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front side airbags, active front-seat head restraints, a driver knee airbag and full-length side curtain airbags. The 40/20/40-split second-row seat slides fore and aft and features reclining seatbacks. For hauling purposes, the Highlander Hybrid offers a maximum of 94 cubic feet of cargo room with the second- and third-row seats folded. The 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid features a smooth ride and secure if uninspiring handling.
The Highlander Hybrid, meanwhile, gets a stronger gas-electric drivetrain and additional visual changes to differentiate it from the non-hybrid model.
The second-row bench features a removable center seat that stows in a compartment below the front-seat center console. Fold all the seats down, and the Highlander's 95.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume is class-competitive. New for 2011 are standard air-conditioning controls for rear passengers; last year's Highlander had air vents but no separate rear controls. The SE adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, power driver's seat, moonroof, backup camera, USB/iPod stereo integration and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Standard on the base and SE trims is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 187 horsepower and 186 pounds-feet of torque. The V-6 is standard on the Highlander Limited.
Four-cylinder models come only in front-wheel drive, but V-6 models offer front- or all-wheel drive. A 3.5-liter V-6 replaces last year's 3.3-liter V-6 to underpin the 2011 Highlander Hybrid's drivetrain. The Highlander Hybrid can cruise at low speeds on electric power only.
An electrically variable automatic transmission is standard. The Highlander Hybrid is EPA-rated at 28/28 mpg city/highway, much better than even the four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive Highlander's 20/25 mpg.
For the new model year, the Hybrid version of Toyota's big, somewhat bulky crossover wears the new hood and fenders that the gas-only Highlander gains. While the gas-powered Highlanders carry over their powertrains intact, the Highlander Hybrid is moving up to a slightly higher station in life. The Hybrid's interior is the same spacious affair as the stock Highlander, but it does lose about 1.5 cubic feet of interior space to those same battery packs.