2008-2011 Toyota Highlander: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Redesigning of Toyota's midsize crossover sport-utility vehicle for 2008 brought larger dimensions, more standard safety features, and a new engine. For 2008, Highlander grew nearly four inches in length and three inches in width, resulting in more passenger and cargo room. Highlanders seated up to seven with a stowable third-row seat. The second-row buckets offered three-passenger capacity via a detachable padded center section that folded and stowed in a first-row console when not in use. Rivals included the GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, and Mazda CX-9. Highlanders could have front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Non-Hybrid Highlanders came in Base, Sport, and Limited models and used a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. The AWD-only Hybrid came in Base and Limited trims and used a 3.3-liter V6 teamed with an electric motor for a combined 270 horsepower. Like Toyota's other hybrids, it could run on either or both of its power sources depending on driving demands, and required no plug-in charging. Hybrids had a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Other Highlanders used a conventional five-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capability. New for 2008 was the Hybrid's EV mode that allowed the driver to put Highlander into full-electric drive mode for a limited distance. Also new was a driver-selectable Econ mode that regulated throttle inputs for optimum fuel economy. Safety features included curtain side airbags with rollover deployment that covered the first two seating rows, front side airbags, a driver's knee airbag, antilock brakes, traction control, and an antiskid system. Standard on all non-Hybrid AWD models was hill descent control, which helped regulate speed on downhill slopes. Options included a sunroof, DVD entertainment, three-zone climate control, and a navigation system.