2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid User Reviews

Pros

Very Smooth Ride, best of any SUV, good acceleration

Cons

I like the older styling a little better, very rough Cruise Control, touchy controls on radio

I have owned 2 Limited edition Hylanders, 2002 and 2005. I test drove the 2007 hybrid and it was very smooth. I suspect all the reviews with low MPG ratings are bogus. With my 3.3 liter V6 I get 19 - 20 MPG around town and 24 - 25 on the highway. Allround average of about 21.5 - 22. I refuse to believe that the Hybrids don't do better than this. I think these other review are being written by people intentionally trying to drive down the rating. Both the two I have owned and the one I test drove were Very, Very smooth. They rode like a luxury sedan, rather than an SUV. A couple of cons - The cruise control will floor the accelerator if the speed drops for more than 20 - 30 seconds (like when you are on a hill). Also, the heater is either full on or off. The heater in my Corolla LE is better. This vehicle is a dream to drive. Note - spend the buck for the leather seats and the seat heaters!...read morehide

Pros

Acceleration, Fuel ecomomy, comfort

Cons

brakes a little too sensitive, no memory seat positions, no auto tailgate

Overall, it is a very good automobile. The acceleration is fantastic. It performs like a V8 but has the fuel economy of a V4. I would recommend it to people who want adiquit power and very good comfort along with the capabilities of other SUVs.

Pros

driving around up to 57mph on ele, great feeling

Cons

none

Never thought I'd own a Hybrid, owned for about 3-4 wks 625 miles, we love it, average 26.5 mpg around town. found that at 50-60 mpg on gas engine if I leave off throttle and gently apply throttle it'll run on electric. up to a mile until gas engine starts up to charge battery. Which also gets charged every time brakes are applied or if your coasting. Gas engine shuts off completely when coasting or sitting still.On dash display shows what's motivating vehicle gas/ele. I do find power meter somewhat useless though. Was shopping for a Rav 4 until I got a fantastic deal on a left over 07 Highlander Hybrid. It's a neat feeling when cars are idling at rail road crossing wasting fuel and we're not burning any gas at all....read morehide

Pros

We have exceeded the EPA for this car on nearly every tank. Fun to drive, comfortable.

Cons

Not much leg room at 3rd seat if you're an adult.

I love to drive this car, feels very stable, and quite peppy even it weren't a hybrid.

Pros

great acceleration in traffic, good fuel eco in heavy traffic

Cons

std passenger seat extremely uncomforable, change from elec to gas engine is rough after 15k mi

Nice car overall - good performance, great interior design, very comfortable for driver. Like it better than Infiniti G35.

So far I am very pleased with my Highlander. It is very tight, rides extremely well and is getting great gas mileage.

Pros

At 31.2 MPG on 24800 miles, this car has delivered what it promised.

Cons

GPS needs updating. slightly higher roof for people over 6'4" would help.

Almost 25,000 miles without an incident - not bad. Mileage obviously deteriorates when you drive in a "floor - brake hard - floor" mode. That is the usually the result of inept drivers. With over 250 horsepower, obviously, flooring the car uses more gas - it's your choice. Don't buy this car if you want to run races!
Except for entering the car for a 6'4" and above person (doorframe is somewhat low - but then again that is the case with almost all cars, even the RUV monsters of American makes), the car is very comfortable. Space is great, back seat's legroom very good (even for a 6'4" person), third row seats very helpful, but mostly for kids. Appearance, while a bit dull, is functional and unobtrusive.
GPS system, while accurate and very helpful, needs updating.
More room to enter the car and a slightly higher roof would help. Internal lights should shut off after a period of time if doors are not closed completely instead of draining the regular battery. What about linking the regular battery to the hybrid battery?...read morehide

Pros

Hybrid Synergy Drive, 28-30 mpg average, excellent performance, great quality

Cons

No cons

Overall, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD-i is a splendid vehicle that is a pleasure to drive. It offers many safety features, including vehicle stability and traction controls, all the air bags, and daytime running lights. Rated at 268 hp, it has exceptional performance, yet offers great fuel savings while running extremely clean (a "green" vehicle).

I have a few observations from my experiences as owner of a Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD-i:

1) The original brand and model of tires mounted seem to make a considerable difference in mileage. My hybrid came with Michelin Energy LX4 tires, a low rolling friction tire.

2) For excellent fuel economy, the Highlander Hybrid must be driven far enough to thoroughly warm the engine. I've noticed from the "average mileage" indicator that for the first 3 or 4 miles driven, the mileage is around 20 mpg. But, after a good warmup (e.g., 5 miles or more) it comes up to 28 to 30 mpg. So, on short trips, don't expect 31 mpg.

3) My average mileage for 11,686 miles driven, using 399.7 gallons, is 29.24 mpg. Even if I compute the mileage using the next higher 1/10th of a gallon at each fillup, or 404.3 gallons, the average mileage comes to 28.90 mpg.

For a roomy SUV with peppy acceleration, it burns gas like my old 1962 VW Beetle; but, unlike the Beetle, it is by no means anemic on the hills....read morehide

Pros

comfortable

Cons

fuel economy not what is claimed

comfortable smooth ride.

but the mileage is no where near what is claimed. we drive primarily in the city and lucky to get 20 mpg.

Pros

Good gas mileage 26.5 mpg avg, great acceleration, safety results, handling

Cons

Arm rest too thin, Non-telescoping steering wheel, No bluetooth available

After reading some of these reviews, I was going to take a pass on this vehicle. Well having owned my Highlander Hybrid for two months now, I don't know what vehicle they were driving because the one I own is great.

I wasn't expecting to get 31 mpg city and 27 highway like the sticker claimed. So far the best I've been able to do is 28 mpg when driving mostly around town. Overall, I've been averaging 26.5 mpg without too much difficulty and I'm very happy with that considering I was getting around 15 mpg overall with my Trailblazer.

The acceleration is something else on this vehicle too for an SUV. I had to pass a truck the other day on a two lane highway. When I floored it I was doing 50 mph, by the time I had passed the truck and turned back into my lane I was doing almost 80 mph. The thing about it, the acceleration was so smooth I had no idea as was going as fast as i was.

I had considered waiting for the 2008 Highlander Hybrid but I got tired of paying as much as I was at the pump. If the new model turns out being that much better, I'll give my 2007 to my wife and pick up the new model.

All in all, I'm am very pleased with this vehicle and it is my first Toyota too so I'm being a bit skeptical....read morehide