2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED

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1 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID LIMITED Like the Lexus RX, the Highlander features a hybrid system consisting of a 3.3 L V6 engine and three electric engines for The first two are in the front, whereas the third activates the back wheels when the front ones start to slide. The Highlander is available in a five-passenger base model and a seven-passenger limited model. Interior and trunk Although the vehicle is relatively high, access to the back is as easy as the front. The seats are comfortable thanks to high backs that give excellent support to people of all sizes. The good driving position could be improved with a telescopic steering column. When the driver s legs are comfortable, the steering wheel is a bit too far away. The rear bench comfortably seats three average-size adults for a fairly long trip. Headroom is suitable, although legroom is more generous. The folding seatback splits 60/40, and there are rather large holes between the folded seatback and the front seatbacks. Access to the last row is difficult and suitable only for young children since there is no room for feet under the first row not very practical. Trunk room goes from good to excellent, not to mention enormous when the two benches are folded. However, the wheelwells are prominent enough to reduce the trunk room between them. In addition, the front bucket seat can be laid completely flat for ease in transporting long objects. Plus the trunk lid makes loading easier with its large opening and lip that is not too high. Photo: Toyota

2 Convenience and safety Fit and finish are very good, although Toyotas are normally classified as excellent, but we heard a little creaking on our vehicle. Road noise is very well muffled, except in high winds, which makes the luggage rack bars whine a bit. Storage space is plentiful and well designed. Instruments and controls are well laid out, except for those on the radio, which should be above the ventilation system. It s hard to understand why, with such a hefty pricetag on the Limited, only the driver s side window control lights up at night. The air conditioning and heating system has the unpleasant habit of blowing colder air on the windshield and out of the dashboard vents than on the feet when the heat is on. This reduces comfort, especially on long trips, because cold air hits the top half of the body while the feet are warm. On the safety front, the Highlander has two front airbags, adjustable locking head restraints, ABS brakes, excellent visibility, and good headlights. Side airbags and curtain airbags are available only on the Limited edition. The head restraints cannot be raised high enough for people of average height and taller. The standard Highlander received a perfect score of five stars for passenger protection in U.S. government frontal and side collision tests. It also received four stars for rollover prevention. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it its highest rating good for its performance in frontal offset impacts. Engine and transmission The Highlander s hybrid system consists of a 3.3 L V6 fuel engine, a sealed battery, and an electric engine in the front, which assists the fuel engine and can drive the vehicle on its own. The other two electric engines one in front and the other in the rear activate the wheels. The rear engine takes care of this when necessary that is, when the front wheels start to slide. The system has 268 hp, which allows the vehicle to accelerate with more get-upand-go in all circumstances. In addition to being more vigorous than the other models with a 3.3 L V6, the hybrid system consumes less fuel and creates less pollution. It meets the SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) standard. It s possible to drive in town using only the electric engine. The system proves to be highly efficient on all fronts. However, now and then a jerking sensation can be felt as the fuel engine engages and disengages.

3 The electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission is smooth and makes the most of the tandem fuel/electric engine resources. The on-demand four-wheel-drive system sends torque to the rear wheels when the front wheels start to slide. Although this works efficiently, the front wheels definitely slip when the car accelerates rapidly. On the road The independent suspension is comfortable, but on uneven surfaces without much weight on board, there are some firm reactions. With a certain amount of weight, this diminishes. The vehicle hugs the road well, but is a bit sensitive to side winds. The power steering is very well balanced, stable, accurate, and decently fast, and it transfers some road feel. In addition, the turning radius is tight. The four disc brakes are powerful and resist fading well. At a CAA-Quebec technical inspection centre, we noted that overall the Highlander is very well built. Despite this, the wiper fluid level cannot be checked and the anchoring rod of the opening to its reservoir is weak. The underbody is robust and well protected against rust. U.S. magazine Consumer Reports predicts that the reliability of the hybrid version will be equal to that of the standard version that is, well above average. Conclusion The Highlander Hybrid is a real success. The vehicle manages to combine performance and fuel economy. We can t help but wish for a hybrid version that is only two-wheel drive, or better yet has a four-cylinder engine. Once again, Toyota makes us buy the most expensive model to get side airbags and curtain airbags. In the interest of safety, Toyota should offer these two items as an option on the other models. PROS: Space, comfort, efficient powertrain, visibility, handling, quality construction. CONS: Unpleasant heating control, useless back row, steering column is not telescopic, a number of controls are not lit, options policy, head restraint can t be raised high enough.

4 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID 2006 Engine: 3.3 litre, 24 valve V6; electric engine Horsepower: 208 hp at 5,600 rpm; 167 hp at 4,500 rpm Torque: 212 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm; 247 lb-ft from 0 to 1,500 rpm Transmission: electronically controlled continuously variable Suspension: independent/independent Brakes: disc/disc Length: 471 cm Width: cm Height: cm Wheelbase: cm Weight: 1,925 to 2,018 kg Tires: P225/65R17 Towing capacity: 1,587 kg Airbags: Standard. Side and curtain airbags are standard on the Limited model. Fuel consumption: According to Transport Canada: City: 7.5 L/100 km (28 mpg) Highway: 8.1 L/100 km (35 mpg) Test: 10 L/100 km (28 mpg) Temperature: 7 C to 24 C Fuel tank capacity: 65 litres Fuel type: Regular grade Acceleration: km/h: 7.4 seconds km/h: 5 seconds Competitors: Buick Rendezvous, Ford Freestyle, Honda Pilot, Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Nissan Murano, Subaru Tribeca, and Volvo XC70 Warranties: Comprehensive: 3 years/60,000 km Powertrain: 5 years/100,000 km Surface corrosion: 3 years/60,000 km Anti-perforation: 5 years/unlimited km Emissions: 3 years/60,000 km on everything; 8 years/130,000 km on catalytic converter, electronic control module, and onboard diagnostic system.

5 Prices of original parts: Rear bumper: $789 Front disc brakes: $147 Brake pads: $77 Muffler: $195 Front fender: $317 Average cost of insurance premium in Quebec City for a new vehicle for a man or woman 30 to 40 years of age with an excellent driving record: $1,183 to $2,283 Price of various versions: Base: $44,205 Limited: $53,145 Main options: None Price of vehicle tested: $53,145 Transportation/preparation fees: $1,310 Number of dealers: Quebec: 71 Canada: 251 September All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec.