HIGHLANDER GOES HYBRID

It’s still a big seven-seat SUV, but Toyota has really cleaned up the Highlander with hybrid power

Thanks to the Government’s new “feebate” scheme and forthcoming Clean Car Standard, suddenly everybody’s talking about new-vehicle emissions. The lower the better.

So it makes sense that Toyota New Zealand is excited about the all-new Highlander SUV, and its newfound hybrid power. To please the V6 fans, the classic 3.5-litre model is also included in the local line-up but it’s clear that it isn’t the priority. Not when a 142g/km emissions rating means a potential $1300 rebate for hybrid buyers from January next year.

So far, Toyota New Zealand has taken more than 700 orders for this new Highlander, with around 85 per cent opting for the hybrid. It has a similar powertrain to the RAV4 hybrid that has proven to be incredibly popular. It’s a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor on the rear axle to provide a total output of 184kW and 242Nm. A CVT transmission sends the engine’s power to the front wheels, while the electric motor handles power at the rear and makes up the allwheel drive system. Toyota claims that this unit is good for a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.6l/100km.

In the other corner is the 3.5-litre V6 petrol option, an engine that

‘ The 3.5-litre V6 provides more grunt than the 2.5 four-cylinder, and feels like a faster SUV. ’

Highlander owners will be very familiar with. For this generation, it makes 218kW/350Nm, and power is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. As you would expect, fuel use is higher, with Toyota’s Combined figure sitting at 8.8l/100km.

While it’s yet to get its official ANCAP safety rating, this new Highlander gets the full Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) suite, which includes a pre-collision system, lane tracing assist, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction as standard.

In total, five models are available in the Highlander line-up; two petrol and three hybrid options, ranging from GXL to Limited ZR trim levels. Pricing starts at $60,990 for a GXL V6, $63,990 for a GXL Hybrid, and goes through to $74,990 for a range-topping Limited ZR Hybrid. As you’d expect, more accessories are added the higher you climb up this price list, with the Limited ZR Hybrid being the only way to unlock the enormous panoramic glass sunroof and premium JBL sound system.

Toyota New Zealand’s media launch enabled us to sample the seven-seat SUV in almost every scenario you’d imagine. We departed from Emirates Team NZ’s headquarters in Wynyard Quarter, heading west through Auckland city before going north.

Here, the electric engine in the hybrid proved its worth, with the engine not needing to provide any assistance during low-speed traffic. As the road opened up in a less built-up area, the engine fired into life, and the fuel consumption picked up. Despite this, it wasn’t until we hit the open road that we saw the average consumption hit the 5l/100km region, where Toyota has claimed it will sit.

DRIVEN sampled both hybrid and V6 Highlander models. From the outset, it’s obvious that the 3.5-litre V6 provides more grunt than the 2.5 four-cylinder, and feels like a faster SUV. It’s noisier when winding through the rev range, but provides a more linear torque curve in partnership with its traditional eight-speed automatic transmission.

Speaking of transmissions, the e-CVT in the hybrid is a pleasure to use, and the electric motor on the rear axle negates the rubber band feeling that CVTs are known for. Tow rating is 2t for both engines.

Another difference between the two variants was brought to my attention on roads of questionable quality throughout Northland is the ride quality. I found the hybrid quite soft in comparison to the V6, with more body roll in the corners. As a whole, it’s no secret that Toyota New Zealand is favouring the hybrid over the V6; it seems like a win-win scenario for everyone.