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2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited
Good Driving Habits Will Help

When Toyota talks about Kaizen, the philosophy of continuous incremental improvement in automotive, business or life, we feel the 2010 Highlander Hybrid is a great example of just how well Kaizen works.

While the 2010 Highlander styling remains unchanged since its 2008 makeover, we feel it is still a sharp looking SUV. The improvements in technology and ergonomics are evidence of continuous incremental improvement at work. The fit and finish is typical Toyota with ergonomics that are well thought out, and easy to understand and use. The Highlander Hybrid is the total package, providing respectable powertrain performance along with an impressive array of features. It’s more lavish and comfortable than in the past, taking more cues from the Lexus nameplate.

The 2010 Highlander Hybrid comes with an array of very handy standard features like cruise control, remote keyless entry, auto-off headlamps, cloth interior, air conditioner with clean air filter, 3rd row seats that recline and fold flat into the floor, a rear heating system, and height-adjust headrests for all seats. The middle row seating features a walk-thru center console with 2 adjustable cup holders. When you need extra space, simply click the button on the key fob and the power tailgate opens to access a lever to pull and the 60/40 split 2nd row seats fold flat, allowing for plenty of cargo space. The Highlander is equipped with LATCH child-seat anchors, dual front multi-stage airbags, front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters.

Front and rear intermittent wipers, power outside mirrors, low tire pressure warning system, power windows and door locks, multi-adjust front captain chairs with driver height adjust, silver interior trim, color keyed bumpers and body side moldings, tilt steering wheel, flex mast antenna are also standard on the Highlander Hybrid.

The ride and handling of the Highlander Hybrid left us very pleasantly surprised. We are fans of hybrid technology with one exception; we still haven’t gotten acclimated to the CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission. It works seamlessly as one would expect, but the hum associated with it is a bit loud. However, the trade off for better fuel economy is definitely worth it. ABS along with Electronic Brake Distribution, Traction Control and Stability Control are also standard on the Highlander Hybrid.

Powered by a 209 horsepower 3.3 liter V6 engine and a 650-watt electric motor the Highlander Hybrid is rated at combined 270 horsepower. With the instant torque of the electric motor, the Highlander Hybrid is far from sluggish off the line but it’s important to keep in mind that aggressive acceleration will negate the primary benefit of the hybrid system, fuel economy.

As with all hybrids, the Highlander is perfect for all the soccer moms and suburb dads who have to run around town with kids and equipment. It has the seating and cargo area of an SUV, with the comfort and ride of a family sedan, and the economy of an econobox. Moms will love the ease of entry and exit because the ride height is minimally different than that of a full size sedan.

While the Highlander Hybrid is in fact best suited for around town, it proved to be an outstanding road vehicle. During the week we tested it, we made a run to California, and we were simply amazed and very pleased at the road ability of the Highlander. There are stretches on I-10 where cruising at 80 miles an hour is legal and the Highlander handled that cruising speed as solidly as anything else on the road and in comfort. Although it works well and can do the job on the highway, the drawbacks are less than stellar fuel economy. We didn’t get much over 22 mpg on the trip, but one of us admits to driving habits not conducive to hybrids. Another weakness of the hybrid is in passing at speed. The CVT doesn’t have a gear to “kick down” to for power so you have to spool it up to move by traffic at highway speeds. Neither of these issues are serious, just something to be aware of when making a buying decision.

Summing it up, the Highlander Hybrid is a multipurpose vehicle that works well in virtually all situations. Grocery getter, kid hauler, empty nester, or simply as a daily driver it performs well. All this versatility isn’t inexpensive though. Prices for the hybrid start at $34,900 for the base model and $41,200 for the Limited. Completely loaded including the Voice Activated NavSystem and JBL sound system, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, our tester came in at just over $48,000.

The Highlander Hybrid is certified as an SULEV, Super Low Emission Vehicle and comes with a 36 month and 36,000 mile base warranty and 60 month 60,000 mile powertrain warranty.