2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Base

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

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

Great FE, Comfortable, roomy and flexible 2nd row seating

Cons

Options come packaged, few choices

This replaces my Camry Hybrid. I'm sold on the Hybrid! However have realistic expectations. My TCH experience is that I can exceed the EPA so I see no reason why I won't average at least 26mpg long term. I can't understand people not thinking that is phenominal FE for a vehicle this large with 4wd.

The second row seating not only recline but they slide forward and back as well. Find that in another midsize SUV.

Gas savings alone won't pay for the hybrid option, but add in resale value and satisfaction of ownership of a high milage SUV and it's worth it. If you don't think that's worth something you need to look elsewhere, but don't bash those that do as some poster have been doing on forums.

It is quiet and a lot better handling than my large SUV. It is as comfortable as my large SUV so I'll be reploacing it next time with a high milage car and use the HH as my tow and travel vehicle.

I do wish the HH was available with the 4cy hybrid.

It's a shame you can't find a "stripped" Limited or get the leather as an option on the base model. I really don't want several thousand dollars worth of options I don't want just to get leather so I passed on the Limited Hybrid because even though they are "options" you can't find one without them.

If this experience is anything like the last 2.5 years in my Camry Hybrid I expect it to be reliable and effecient to drive....read morehide