2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid New Car Review, Used Car Info Added (2024)
When considering buying a used 2007 Highlander Hybrid, there are a few factors to take into account.
The Highlander Hybrid is known for its spacious interior, capable handling, and good fuel economy in city driving conditions [[1]](https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/toyota/highlander-hybrid/2007). However, there are a few things to consider before making a decision. Firstly, it's important to note that the hybrid system in the Highlander is more supplemental to the gas engine, unlike a Prius, due to the weight of the vehicle [[2]](https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/things-to-know-before-purchasing-a-used-hybrid-highlander.280428/) [[3]](http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/63-highlander-hybrid/280428-things-know-before-purchasing-used-hybrid-highlander.html). Additionally, the added weight of the hybrid system can result in so-so handling [[4]](https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/highlander-hybrid/2007/review/). Furthermore, some users on forums have expressed concerns about the age of the hybrid system in a 2007 model It's also worth noting that the Highlander Hybrid has high crash test scores and a comfortable cabin with simple controls and solid materials [[4]](https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/highlander-hybrid/2007/review/). Ultimately, it is recommended to thoroughly inspect the vehicle's condition, including the hybrid system, and consider factors such as maintenance history and overall cost, before making a decision on purchasing a used 2007 Highlander Hybrid.
SEE ALSO: Highlander Spec in Toyota Buyers Guide
Experiencing The Hy-Life — 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Another “Short Shift”* Review By Rex Roy
Freelance Automotive Journalist For Hire
Mark my words; you’re only seeing the tip of the hybrid iceberg. These days there are only a handful hybrids from a few manufacturers. More and better units are coming. To the trend-seeking reader, hybrids are “in”. After putting 2300 miles on one over the course of 10 days, we can tell you why you’d want to own one. And why not.
High Technology
For the non-engineer, the term “powertrain” describes the
complete engine/transmission combination, and in a hybrid they are truly
one highly integrated unit. The Highlander’s 3.3-liter V6 internal
combustion engine is matched to a highly complex transmission that is
actually a pair of electric motors. These motors deliver the performance
of a gearless continuously variable transmission (CVT). But, in fact, the
similarities between the Highlander’s transmission and a CVT are
about the same as comparing me to Paris Hilton. (She and I eat and breathe
and walk on two feet … but otherwise we have nothing in common.) A
high-voltage (650-volt!) battery back (located under the 2nd row of seats)
stores and releases energy to supplant the engine, and when fully on-line
add considerable power to the engine’s already robust 208 ponies.
When it comes to the Highlander Hybrid, this mid-size SUV is worth considering even if you’re not looking for a hybrid. Strong suits include: • Room for luggage … in our case enough to hold everything that one guy and three women (my wife and two daughters) would need for nine days. This is not a gender-biased comment, as both sexes will understand just how much room women require for a 9-day vacation. The luggage was all stored behind the second row of seats within the Highlander’s 39.7 cubic feet of storage … although the suitcases were stacked to the roof.
• Quite cruising … on the highway there is little wind noise and the engine is almost silent. Some road and tire noise creeps in, but the overall aural sensation is more than satisfactory … almost luxury car quiet.
• Solid ride … built off of the same engineering platform as the Toyota Camry and the Lexus RX330 crossover, the Highlander has a solid, comfortable ride. There was one occasional squeak, making the author think that Toyota isn’t as perfect as the general media would have us think. Darn good, but not perfect.
• Excellent storage … the interior has many places to store stuff, from suitcases to cell phones to Big Gulps.
• Useful 5 + 2 seating … the Highlander is truly a 5-passenger vehicle. Our model featured the optional 2-place rear bench seat that flips up out of the floor in the cargo area. Although the 3rd-row seating dimensions are tight, it’s tolerable for flexible kids, and they don’t mind being stashed back there for short rides.
The above strong points don’t pale when compared to the following
demerits. The following are things that drivers will notice over time, and
if you’re considering the Highlander, specifically the Hybrid model,
you should know the following:
• Power delivery needs refining … Most of the time, the
Highlander Hybrid drives like a “regular” car or SUV. At
first, it is odd that the engine stops at traffic lights and the like,
resulting in an eerie silence. There is also a slight shudder once the
engine restarts. In addition to these acceptable hybrid-specific
anomalies, on hills, the hybrid powertrain has a feeling akin to a
conventional transmission hunting for the right gear. It is a subtle
surging feel. This condition could also be noticed when cruising at a
steady 39 mph, a threshold speed that tended to confuse the powertrain
computer about whether it should add electric motor power or not.
• Braking feel … The brakes on the Hybrid feel different
than a non-hybrid vehicle. For example, no matter how lightly you press on
the brake pedal, the Highlander slows at a set constant rate. This makes
it very hard to drive smoothly, as the initial rate of braking is somewhat
abrupt. In truth, when you first touch the brakes lightly, you’re
not engaging the brakes. The slowing you feel is cased by the resistance
of the powertrain recharging the batteries, and when the system is
recharging, it causes a specific drag. Most people will learn to live with
it without complaint.
• Lacking information … Amusingly, in this ultra
high-tech example of automotive engineering, there is no way to know how
far you can go on the fuel remaining in your tank. There is no
distance-to-empty readout.
• #%&!! traction control … Unfortunately, there is no
way to disable the standard electronic traction control. When
photographing the Highlander for this story, we found a road down to the
beach. Our goal was to put a sand dune behind the truck to make a nice
photo. Even though our Highlander Hybrid featured four-wheel drive (the
internal combustion engine and transmission/motor combo drives the front
wheels while another electric motor powers the rear wheels), in very
shallow sand while still on the access road to the beach, the Highlander
stranded itself immediately. With the wheels spinning in the sand, the
traction control thought we were “slipping” on dangerous ice or
snow and decided for us that we should just be parked. Without being able
to spin the wheels to gain some traction, we could not extricate ourselves
from the sand, and needed several beachgoers to push us out. For this
otherwise capable SUV to essentially strand itself seemed entirely out of
character. And very frustrating to the driver. It’s a helpless
feeling to know the vehicle could easily drive itself out of the situation
if it would only let itself. While Toyota corrected this oversight on
gasoline powered Highlanders for 2008, on 08 Highlander Hybrids, there is
still no “off” switch for the traction control.
Is the Hy-life right for you?
If you’re in the market for an SUV, consider the Highlander Hybrid,
but do so for the right reasons. If you’re looking to drive a hybrid
that compromises nothing in performance, the Highlander is an excellent
choice. If you’re truly looking for an SUV that maximizes fuel
economy, the Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Hybrid twins are a better choice.
The duo from Ford utilizes a 4-cylinder engine in their hybrid powertrain,
so their mileage is considerably higher (34 city/30 highway). While they
are slightly smaller than the 2007 Highlander, they still offer ample room
for five passengers plus cargo.
It’s also worth knowing that the 2008 Highlander is coming later this summer. It’s an all-new, much larger vehicle with mileage that matches the 2007 model. However, if the current Highlander is the right size for you, you need to know that Toyota must sell the 2007 models has left, so you may be able to strike a good deal.
Top-Line Specifications
Vehicle: 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Engine 3.3-liter V6 2 08 horsepower/212 ft-lb torque Electric motor(s) • Front motors #1 and #2, 167 hp/247 lb-ft torque • Rear motor, 68 hp/96 lb-ft torque Powertrain total 268 horsepower between gas engine + electric Transmission Automatic, continiously variable gearing Seating 2/3/2 = 7 Cargo room, max 80.6
* What’s a Short Shift?
This moniker describes the
fuel-efficient technique of shifting
a manual transmission up to
a higher
gear at a lower engine speed.