Fuel-frugal hybrid offers quietly capable ride
Roomy Highlander offers leather-lined, luxurious comfort
Asix-cylinder engine that acts as a four might sound a little strange, but it’s entirely possible. And that’s exactly what Toyota has been delivering to car buyers over the past few years, especially when it comes to the 2013 Highlander hybrid.
Giving the driver the benefits of power but the peace of mind that you’re saving fuel and also reducing the amount of CO2 emissions along the way is generally a good thing. Now throw in a great 4WD system, generous cargo space and a practical package, and life is just that much greener.
Design
For the 2011 model year, the Highlander received a facelift, but has remained unchanged since. Its box-like physique with rounded edges is unassuming but very functional.
It’s not a vehicle I look at and get excited about — or at least not in the looks department — but it does rev my engine in other ways.
Differentiating the hybrid model over its pure-gas siblings are the hybrid badges, but also the blue accents in the Toyota emblem. Spotting that kind of blue on any of the brand’s products signals it is a hybrid.
Inside, the instrument cluster also has blue accents. Coupled with the white and black hues, it makes for an easily readable display — day or night.
The Highlander hybrid’s centre stack took some trial and error for me to get used to. That said, buttons and gauges are clearly labelled, and there are just a few of them kicking around.
I did like the novelty-sized dials that control functions like volume, temperature and audio tuning. They’re hard to miss but don’t disrupt the overall flow and ambiance of the cockpit.
Sitting in the leather upholstered seats was a treat in itself. While my test period lasted only a few days, I managed to clock almost 1,000 kilometres. Despite the amount of highway driving involved, my fuel numbers were higher than the estimated ratings. And thanks to the heated seats, my buns and back remained toasty warm while romping around Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich.
Performance
The Highlander’s exterior physique doesn’t necessarily tingle my senses profoundly, but I do get excited about saving fuel when I’m driving a vehicle of this size.
Its performance is best de- scribed through its fuel economy. Mind you, the 280 net horsepower created through a combination of a 3.5L V6 gasoline engine and electric motors isn’t too shabby. When I put my foot down, power delivery came gradually through the Highlander’s electronically controlled continuously variable transmission in Econ mode. When I wasn’t putting my foot down to accelerate, I happily coasted along the highway, knowing that every kilometre in the seven-passenger vehicle wasn’t costing an arm and a leg.
Estimated fuel results come in at 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 7.3L/100km on the highway. I averaged 9.6L/100km, which consisted mainly of highway driving. If I had spent more time in Toronto, where stop-and-go traffic can be the norm, I’m confident my numbers would have improved. I’m still happy with those numbers since this mid-size SUV has three rows of seats and can accommodate up to seven people.
Driving/utility
I have very little criticism of the Highlander hybrid. It does what it’s supposed to do and does it well. At highway speeds, the cabin remains quiet and the ride quality is confident and capable. The nine-speaker JBL Audio system does wonders to take boredom out of long stretches of straight roads. Sound quality is great, so I encourage you to crank it a little louder.
Another feature equipped on the Limited trim that I made great use of was the voice-activated DVD navigation system. Having a system that’s easy to figure out and work with is marvellous, particularly when you’re in an area where you’re not 100-percent comfortable. The system won’t let you input destinations while the car is moving; a function that prevents the driver from being distracted when behind the wheel.
For those not having the pleasure of driving, there are multiple seats inside to choose from. And if it’s gear or goods that are being transported, the 40/20/40 split reclining second row seat with a removable centre stow seat/ console and a 50/50 split third row bench seat with remote release can be configured to whatever kinds of items are in need of relocation.
The Highlander’s rear-view camera makes parallel parking easier. Despite the rear windshield being fairly big, I’m always thankful to have a second pair of eyes helping me assess my backing up.
If you need to use the Highlander for more utilitarian purposes, it has a 1,588 kg (3,500-pound) towing capacity.