2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid User Reviews

Pros

I can drive to MPG 29. avg to 27 for past 2 months. Love it

Cons

209 HP is little too small for this size of SUV

Purchased As New

I bought it with traded in my Nissan Quest-Cash for clunker program. It is quiet, fuel efficiency, comfort and a lot of room space even for third row

Pros

8 CUPHOLDERS within reach of the driver!

Cons

Fuel economy could be better in City Driving

Purchased As New

I purchased my 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited in March of 2009. So far, I love it! My favorite feature (crazy as it sounds) is that there are 4 cupholders for the front passengers, and 4 more for the rear passengers, all of which are within reach of the Driver! I love that, now there's places to put my beverage(s), my cell phone, and other various items without them getting lost! I sure hope that Toyota keeps putting lots of cupholders in the Highlanders!

I also like the overall comfort of this vehicle. I'm 6'4" tall but have good legroom (another inch or two more would be nice, but heck, it's not a German vehicle)! I also really like the TOUCH SCREEN navigation system (the Lexus version of this vehicle, the RX450h) use a joystick system that seemed akward to use when I test drove it. The Highlander still has the fairly simple to use touch screen.

The exterior of this vehicle looks pretty good, could be a bit more "rugged" looking, maybe slightly taller (for a better view of the road ahead). But overall, it's a great vehicle, has only been in the shop for oil changes, and I have a feeling this baby is gonna last many years. Oh, and the fuel economy I've been getting around the city is in the low 20 mpg's. I was hoping for closer to 30 mpg. I'm not a fast driver and go easy on the gas pedal trying to get the best mileage, but 23-24 mpg's seems to be my overall average, with city & highway driving combined.

Finally, the audio system could be improved upon. Guess I'm spoiled from my old Lexus RX400h's Mark Levinson sound, but the Highlander's audio sounds a bit flat to me (even after tweaking the audio controls).

Buy this vehicle, you'll be glad you did!...read morehide

Pros

Roomy, comfortable, great fuel economy for a 6-cylinder!

Cons

Can't think of any!

Purchased As New

I've been driving my 2008 Highlander (purchased new in June of 2008)for about 15months and absolutely LOVE it! It is roomy, comfortable and we enjoy a smooth quiet ride! I have been getting Approx. 28mpg/hwy and 26mpg/city. I use ECON mode while city driving (on recommendation from Toyota salesman). I live in a hilly area and we occasionally get tough winters so the All-Wheel-Drive was just perfect...had no trouble at all on a snow-packed/icy hill. I got the "loaded" Limited and LOVE it: GPS, Hands-free Blue-tooth, heated seats, OutletS for ipod and cell phone charger, several cup-holders front and back, 3rd row seating roomy and comfy, automatic rear door lift, steering-wheel radio/phone controls, leather seats, etc! I also bought the extended warranty bumper to bumper and have only had scheduled maintenance done. EXCELLENT buy!!!...read morehide

Pros

Great Vehicle. Plenty of power for Hybrid. Excellent fuel economy for a strong six cylinder

Cons

Trailer Hitch should be standard on Limited models

Purchased As New

Just purchased my 2009 Hybrid two weeks ago. I used to own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee and I must say this is a great vehicle. I like the spacious cargo area as well as the interior comforts. The fuel economy plus the capabilities of the vehicle really were the focal points pushing my purchase towards the Highlander instead of another Jeep....read morehide

Pros

Best Fuel Economy, 19'' Wheels, Quite drive, Third Seat, Spacious Interior, CD system, Heated Seats

Cons

Stearing Wheel lacks feel, Economy mode lacks power***, Seats are not cushy, design lacks style

Purchased As New

Hi all

I bought 2009 Highlander hybrid limited last week (July 30th, 2009) and is absolutely loving this car. Just looking for an excuse to get into and drive the car all the time.

Well i am a car freak and has driven BMW X5, Lexus 350, Audi Q7, Lexus 430L, Range Rower and found out every car has its own + and -. There is not a signle car in market which will offer youy everything you want until you start going into custom made cars.

I have this highlander hybrid limited 2009 for almost a week now and has found out that it is best family car in the market in this segment.
It is worth every penny and i think i have made a smart choice.

I being a computer engg. have always being analytical about things i spend money on. This time while looking for a new car i was looking at few core things as i am going to be a father in few months.

Safety, Comfort, Energy and Environment frendly.

I looked at few other cars like Acura MDX as well as RX450h.

Acura is a very nice and sportiy car but being a Gas Guzler i passed on

I liked 450h but price all the options and third row seat were coming in way of buying it

Then i came across highlander and from start i looked at only limited versions.

Both gas and hybrid versions of highlander are great but i settled for hybrid as i just loved the quiteness and smoothness of drive.


Some people start looking at the cost of a hybrid vehicle by just doing the math in terms of gas and keep saying its not worth spending money on hybrid as extra money spended on it is not recoverable.

But i think it is not just about saving money in gas. It is much bigger than that. I think just the feeling that i have taken a step towords a better, cleaner, pollution free energy independent world. Just the feeling of it settles my mind.

People who just do math need to drive this car for a day and they will realize it.

I havent used the third seat yet but have tested going into the third row and even for me 6' and 200 pound it is easy enough. CD system is just great. Navigation and heated seats adds flavor. Lot of space. Our whole family (mom, dad, me my wife and coming child) can easily fit into it and even then we will have space for some guests.

Stou seat is just great and i think kids can really take advantage as they can easily move in the car. Rear seat temp controls are just great.

Overall this vehicle is one of the best in the market in this segment. Total family car and moreover not like will be called as i am driving my wife's car. Has the looks so that i can take to my work and can get some stares.

It has some cons also as every other car.

Like it lacks in experior as well as interior style. Being very spacious inside it lackes the cushy feeling you get in lexus or acura.

Some cheap plastic is used which you can find if you are damm critical about every nook and corner of car.

While driving in economy mode you press accelarator and will feel that vehicle is not responding to it.

But i think all the cons are driven my mind but if you look at overall picture these cons will start getting justified also.

Well to end i am very satisfied with the vehicle and absolutely love and will recommed to each and every one....read morehide

Pros

High quality and luxurious. Extremely safe and reliable

Cons

Gas mileage could be higher and it's an expensive car

Purchased As New

I moved up to the '08 Highlander Hybrid after adding another child to our family last year. I had been driving a Prius. The Highlander is spacious, nicely appointed, has high quality goodies and is a comfortable ride. For the base model, it has beautiful features like the wood grain style console, beautiful rims and spoiler. I like the 3rd row seat and all the cup holders as well. I get 25 to 26mpg hwy and we live in a hilly area. Around town it's close to the same but drops a bit when I run the A/C regularly....read morehide

Pros

very quiet ride, good storage with 3rd row down, great gas mileage for car this size

Cons

available options for base model

Purchased As New

I have owned this car since Dec 2007 (2008 model) so I believe my review will be very fair. This car has become the family vacation car (2 adults / 2 kids) due to its comfort, gas mileage (have averaged 25.2 mpg overall) and added on features. I purchased the base model and added (aftermarket) leather, heated seats, Pioneer AVICD3 stereo which included nav/ipod/bluetooth/XM (with Nav traffic) or Sirius/direct connect to Jensen DVD player and more. I saved about $4000 over the limited version by going after market for the features I wanted. The car has performed flawlessly (no mechanical issues) and I have only had to perform scheduled maintenance on the car. I did purchase the extended warranty (5 years / 60K bumper to bumper) just in case. I still enjoy driving the car and expect it to last for many more years....read morehide

Pros

Grt mileage exclt handling, joy to drive

Cons

None so far

Purchased As New

We bought this to travel with our dogs. They love it and the mileage is very good IF you use it properly. You can't jack rabbit or slam on the brakes and expect to get top mileage. You have to modify YOUR habits to get top mileage. We average 28 with some city but mostly freeway driving, better than our much smaller and supposedly more fuel efficient gas only cars. Quality is tops and our dealer was very cooperative and considerate....read morehide

Pros

Good acceleration, economy, convenience

Cons

Carrying capacity

Purchased As Used

Purchased as a certified used vehicle. Very happy with the looks and fit/finish. I've averaged about 28.8 mpg to 29.0 mpg on the last 3 tanks of gas. And this is with the ECON mode OFF!!! My wife and I try to drive economically i.e. gradual acceleration and braking and maintaning speed with minor corrections of the accelerator pedal. It has paid off for us. I'm surprised since we carry our kids and all the gear that goes with. Stroller, car seats, etc. Thank you Toyota....read morehide

Pros

Roomy and Comfortable

Cons

terrible gas mileage

Purchased As New

I was mildly disappointed when I first purchased the Highlander last year because of the gas Mileage. I was only getting about 20 MPG. Driving on a trip once of about 180 miles on the freeway, I got 25 MPG by holding it down to 55 mph or less. This winter, however, I am only getting 11.5 MPG. This has been going on for the last 5 tanks of Gas. When I complained to Brunswick Auto Mart, both the Service Management and the sales organization tell me that it will always get worse mileage in the winter....read morehide