Overview & Reviews

New for 2006, the hybrid version of the Highlander pairs a gasoline-powered V6 with electric motors to improve fuel economy and acceleration.

• Real-world gas mileage in the 20s, terrific acceleration, smooth ride, comfortable cabin with simple controls and solid materials.

• Extra weight results in so-so handling, engine can be noisy, poor access to third-row seat.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 188.00

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  Satisfied Consumer - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By SJC - December 7 - 9:00 am

  Ideal vehicle for blending the desire for a sporty seven passenger SUV with improved mileage. Was hesitant at first in purchasing a first model year vehicle but online research helped a great deal. Excellent handling in the snow and ice. Average MPG so far Highway 27-28, city 21-22 in the 15-35 degree F weather.

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  So far...So good - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Gus - November 11 - 7:56 pm

  I must say i like it a lot! Comfortable, easy to drive, and fun. The price is a little hefty... hoping to get a rebate back from Uncle Sam!! I cant believe its on sometimes! So quiet. The only complain is the sun-roof... Cant tell if its completelly closed all the way sometimes. Other than that, My family really likes it! Maybe I will buy the Lexus 400h also :).

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  Three months into a Highlander Hybrid - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Drew - October 10 - 9:43 pm

  My wife and I have 3 Toyotas; a Sienna, a convertible Solara and the Highlander. When we choose to drive a car we usually choose the Highlander; it is so cool to drive. Its technology is superb and leading edge. the battery helps drive the car if you are not accelerating, sometimes without the engine at all; you can idle forever and use NO gas; and you swoosh when you accelerate, since there is no gear shifting... something the salesman barely mentioned and seems to be a secret. And the intelligent 4 wheel drive is cool, you dont shift into it. If you need it, it goes into 4 wheel drive automatically. Probably no good for off road. Weve had it for 3 months now and love everything about it.

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  new car owner - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By S Hayes - October 7 - 6:03 pm

  I am very pleased with the on the road performance of this vehicle. While a V6 engine... it has more than enough power to get in and out of tight situations. Im not getting 31 mpg when using the air conditioning, however, if I turn it off I can squeeze 29.6 out of it. The Highlander could have a little more room for the driver (even in the height of the cab). Over all, it is an excellent maneuvering vehicle. Im glad I bought it!

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  ok - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Dave - September 14 - 4:56 pm

  I like the vehicle, so far, but I think the gas mileage is not what they advertised. Drives nice, handles fine, looks great, but well see on the gas consumption, still new

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  Fun but a possible health hazard - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Antonio - September 11 - 6:43 pm

  While the gas mileage is really poor for a hybrid, it is great for a SUV. This, however, does not take away the disappointment of frequent stops at the pump. Watch for the comfort of the front seats, the arm rests are cheaply designed and stick up when the seat is leaned. The rear windows should not be opened when moving. Has Toyota examined this problem and if not, why not? Since I need this type of vehicle for the outdoor activities that I enjoy doing, I can at least justify my guilt. Can you?

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  Terrific Vehicle - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Jane Faul - August 30 - 4:13 pm

  Owning this vehicle has brought me nothing but joy each time I have an excuse to drive it. It has plenty of power, surges with quick pick-up when needed, and is incredibly comfortable, smooth, and quiet. It has a perky appearance outside, thanks to its rear spoiler, and with its squared-off rear design, it provides more vertical interior hauling capacity than those vehicles with more slope. The rear spoiler seems to be a valuable feature, not only for appearance, but also for keeping the rear window clean while driving in traffic and rain. It handles easily and responds beautifully. It has plenty of room inside for four hefty adults in complete comfort.

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  Love the Car, not the mpg - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By tthelin - August 28 - 12:16 pm

  1) We dont get the fuel economy we had hoped. We do a lot of driving on rural roads and highways, so speeds or 45 to 80 are the normal range, and we average about 25.5 mpg long term. Even on the rare occasions when we use an entire tank of fuel while driving in the city at 35 mph or less we only get around 28 mpg or so. 2) We installed a trailer hitch, which was easy to do and cost less than $250. Around $150 for the hitch online, and $75 or so for the wiring jumper from Toyota. The Highlander Hybrid pulls a 3500 lb mgw trailer very well, even when fully loaded, but the fuel economy drops to around 15 mpg with the trailer. 3) We purchased an special treatment for the cloth seats, since we have kids, and it doesnt seem to have helped at all. The seats stain pretty easily, and we are to far from the dealer to bring it in for cleaning or to use the warranty we purchased. I wouldnt recommend it. We still like the cloth seats better than the leather seats, but we should have used the $500 buck or whatever we spent on the treatment to buy good seat covers. 4) We also purchased the Diamon Glass treatment. It didnt keep us from getting rock chips, although we did use the warranty to repair a couple of them. We have learned that most full coverage insurance will cover windshield repair anyway, so we could have saved the money on that treatment also. It also doesnt keep the water off any better than a good Rain-X treatment. 5) We were mystified by one electrical problem a year or so ago in which we started to experience a delay in the starting of the Hybrid System when you turned the key to start. At the same time we noticed we could not leave a door open, or a light on in the car for more than a few minutes with the car turned off, or the battery would die and the car wouldnt start. We lived with this for about a year, just being careful to not allow the battery to drain, and occaisionally having to use a jump battery(which I always carry for emergencies) to start it. The I finally decided to test the car battery, and found it going bad so we replaced it. the Hybrid is back to working like new now.

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  Toyota Highlander Hybrid - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By mwalsh65 - August 6 - 1:36 pm

  I love my Highlander Hybrid. I used to drive a Saab 9-3, which I also loved. I got an avg of 21 mpg with the Saab. Because I have a 2 year-old and am facing preschool and carpool, I wanted to get a bigger vehicle, but did not want to get less mpg. Unfortunately, most mid-sized SUVs got 20 mpg or lower. Then the Highlander Hybrid was introduced and I jumped at it. Now, I get an average of 26 mpg (better than my sedan)and I have much more room (including a third row seat that folds into the floor). The vehicle drives very well and is very comfortable. I love this vehicle and I highly recommend it as a non gas-guzzling family car.

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  Pleased - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By David - July 29 - 7:16 pm

  I chose a hybrid because of the 70 mile commute I have to and from work. I am getting an average of 30 mpg. I chose an SUV because I have 3 kids. Yhe Highlander Hybrid has suited my needs perfectly and I am enjoying immencely. I highly reccommend it to people in my same situation.