Review and Test Drive: 2019 Toyota Highlander Hybrid XLE

By Jonathan Spira on 3 March 2019
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First announced at the 2000 New York International Auto Show, the Toyota Highlander was one of the first car-based SUV crossovers and the hybrid version was the first seven-seat hybrid vehicle on the market.

Now in it third generation, the Toyota Highlander continues to offer a hybrid powerplant in an all-wheel drive configuration with a 3.5-liter V6 paired to an eCVT transmission.

The Highlander received a mid-life refresh for the 2017 model year which included an updated and more modern fascia and restyled headlights and taillights. The non-hybrid variant got a revised V6 engine with Toyota’s D4-S direct injection fuel system.

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Today, the Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient three-row crossover on the market, making it worth a look despite plans for an all-new model in 2020. A three-row crossover is generally a better looking and better handling option than a minivan and the Highlander has proven itself to be quite durable over the past two decades.

Our Shoreline Blue Pearl Highlander Hybrid XLE, assembled in Princeton, Indiana, arrived on a cold, wintry day, perfect to test out the SUV’s capabilities in wintry weather.  The XLE is a mid-range edition, above the base LE but below the Limited and Limited Platinum, putting it at an affordable and quite reasonable price point.

INSIDE THE 2019 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID XLE

The Highlander Hybrid XLE is well-equipped with leather seats, keyless start, the Entune premium-audio system, and all of Toyota’s Safety Sense driver-assistance technology. To get the third row, you’d have to go up to the Limited, which adds $3,500 to the base price.

Click here to continue to Page 2Driving the 2019 Toyota Highlander

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