Not Your Father’s Highlander - The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota has been blessed with many award-winning designs, including the Toyota Highlander of 2008. There are five trim levels to the Highlander, including Hybrid, Hybrid Limited, Base, and Sport. The Hybrid version is one of the more popular options. Like in 2007 the popular 3.3 liter has made this a popular choice for sport utility buyers across the country.
Toyota Highlander Engine Specs
The Highlander Hybrid is equipped with a Toyota 3.3 liter six-cylinder engine that utilizes 24 valves. The engine is mated to a N/A 4-speed Transaxle. This configuration has proven to be a successful design for Toyota.
Steering control is handled through a power-steering rack-style configuration. The Highlander has power-assisted brakes, with 4-Wheel ABS support. The front brakes are disc while the rear brakes are disc. The truck uses coil front springs and coil in the rear.
Fuel is handled for the Highlander is a SFI design, running on ELECTRIC/GAS fuel. The ELECTRIC/GAS is managed by an electronic system and is a fuel-injected MFI design. The 19.20-gallon tank provides the fuel storage for longer trips.
Vehicle Statistics
The Highlander is 188.40 inches long, 75.20 inches wide, and 69.30 inches high. It has a wheelbase of 109.80 inches. It is able to seat 7 comfortably.
The standard warranty period for the Highlander is 36 months, or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is standard in the sport utility market.
The listed retail price in 2008 (MSRP) was $31,400, with an invoice cost of $27,946. This price is above average of the industry average price for a four-door Sport Utility.
Fuel Efficiency
The 2008 Highlander gets 23 miles/gallon on the highway and only 17 in the city. This is exceptional for a sport utility truck.
In 2007 and 2008 the Highlander Hybrid was availble in the exterior colors of Black, Blizzard Pearl, Blue Streak Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Cypress Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Salsa Red Pearl, Sandy Beach Metallic, and Waveline Pearl. Additional options were made available by the factory.
What We Think of the Toyota Highlander
The 2007 model began the promise of the Toyota Highlander. The 2008 expanded on this success and has proven to be a strong seller in most markets. Even with strong competition from other manufacturers Toyota hopes that the Highlander Hybrid will continue to be a profitable vehicle.
First!
No less than 5 of my friends have a Highlander. I can’t say more than two of them are happy with it…
Decode This has a review of this truck.