2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Consumer Reviews

Early adopter

Written by: billwtx22 on 09/03/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I bought the 2nd Hybrid Highlander available in the Houston area. Overall, I have enjoyed owning this car. It is fun to drive. The hybrid system acts like a turbo when I want to stomp on it, but gas mileage goes down to low 20s MPG. When I work at it, I can get low to mid 30s MPG. My hybrid inverter went out recently, but this has a long warranty (8 yr, 100K mi). However, the car had to be towed into the shop. The new HH has an electric vehicle mode that allows short distance driving on battery only, but I doubt if this works without the inverter. I test drove a 2008 model and it is more sluggish due to the added size/weight. I would buy the 2006 model again.

Favorite Features

0 to 60 in 7.2 seconds. This pretty good for an SUV. Great mileage in bumper to bumper traffic which is the opposite of non-hybrid cars.

Suggested Improvements

A plug in version would be nice. There are after market kits for Prius, but I have not heard of anyone doing this with the highlander, yet. Also, not sure if Toyota would void the warranty if the hybrid system was modified.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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I love this vehicle

Written by: denise on 07/06/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The SUV has a lot of power and gets good gas mileage, for this big of a vehicle

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

The only things I don't like is the cupholder springs broke right away. Also, you have to make a very hard turn to shut off the blinker. Otherwise, I love this vehicle and would have another.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great Vehicle

Written by: rav171 on 06/30/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My Highlander has over 33000 miles. To get the best mileage, the driver should make maximum use of the cruse control. That allows the computer to control the engine torque and continuous variable transmission (CVT). That way, the computer maximizes the gas efficiency while maintaining the speed that is set. I get 32 MPG driving 60 MPH on up and down highway roads in upstate New York. I couldn't be happier with the mileage.

Favorite Features

I get 32 MPG driving 60 MPH on up and down highway roads in upstate New York. I couldn't be happier with the mileage.

Suggested Improvements

I would love to be able to remove the third row seat since we are retired and won't be adding any kids in the third row. Better yet, replace the third row seat with additional batteries and allow me to plug in and charge when the car is in the garage.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Unexpected power in for a Green SUV

Written by: Steve R on 06/12/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My ONLY complaint is headroom for tall adults in the back and passenger seats. I am used to a truck with greater headroom. I have friends over 6'4 who found the more elevated passenger seat and back seat head clearence a little cramped. I often pulse and cruise - get 29-30mpg around town. It has better pickup than our accord and is quality wise the very best vehicle we have owned. Given, the Tundra WAS Alot more fun off road. I recommend vehicle. Oh one other minor flaw, sunroof and window noise is a problem when openned and you have to adjust them when exceeding 30 mph to stop a annoying wind vibration. Again minor when all the advantages of this vehicle are considered.

Favorite Features

The power from start, the handling and the great gas mileage make this great for around town the roomy back makes it great for camping.

Suggested Improvements

even more passenger headroom, balance open sunroof vibration from windows somehow. This is a technological marvel in most respects and an amazing vehicle, I have to nitpick to really come up with suggestions.

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Good Family Car

Written by: swaeri on 05/19/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The Highlander is a good family car without having to drive a mini van. 3rd row seat comes in handy with young children. I prefer this body style to the new one. I bought the hybrid hoping for decent gas mileage. I have been very disappointed in this regard. I might get 20 mpg on a good week. It does have a lot of power. No mechanical issues to date. I would recommend the car if you like the styling. The JBL sound system isn't that great. I would get an after market stereo.

Favorite Features

Exterior styling and third row seat

Suggested Improvements

Toyota's interior designs are very weak. The gas mileage stinks for the hybrid. A friend got a non-hybrid Honda Pilot that gets as good as mine. The cup holder design in between the front seats is bad and has broken. Pressure with only rear windows down is unbearable. Needs an iPod hook up.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Powewrful, gas sipping midsize SUV

Written by: gary on 05/02/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My wife commutes to work in it daily and aveages 35 MPG per tank in combines city/hwy use. Plenty of room to pack all of out sailing gear fro a weekend, or even week long cruise on our boat. Very comfortable for extended trips of six to eight hours or so driving. We love it.

Favorite Features

Hybrid drive train + great MPG

Suggested Improvements

Restyle exterior, (but then they just did that didn't they?)

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Going Green Is So Much Fun!

Written by: dvs8866 on 04/28/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I've only had my hybrid for a week, so maybe it's a little early to write a review, but I couldn't wait another week. I've test driven several and was pleasantly surprised that they do have more giddy-up than I originally thought. This car beats my Jeep Liberty by miles in every aspect. There's more room for my two boys to spread out, the gas mileage is almost double (I'm in sales and this was the main reason for my turning green), the third row seat is a bonus for baseball season, and it's just a head turner.

Favorite Features

I can't help but smile when the engine turns off and my friends think it's stalled. I've actually taken pictures of the MPG on the odometer and text messaged it to friends! More than enough cupholders for everyone. Tons of storage areas. Smoothest ride I've ever been in.

Suggested Improvements

Picky, but the armrests are a little low for my taste. I wish the satellite radio had been integrated into the sound system. I'm getting aftermarket Sirius installed and there's really no good place to put it on the dash.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Pure Pleasure

Written by: Gary D Schott on 04/24/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

This has been one of the finest vehicles my wife and I have ever owned. We have had Mercedes, Volvo and this is by far the best. In 2 feet of snow in CO, no problem, ice no problem. Gas mil. is wonderful. I left the Post Office one day and went to a car wash and had a man follow me for 3 miles just to ask what I thought about it as he and his wife were looking. Not bad huh!

Favorite Features

Inside and out, just great!

Suggested Improvements

None that we could think of. What a great vehicle to drive!

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Best of all worlds!

Written by: phoenix55 on 02/06/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I bought my HIHY'06 about a month ago as a certified vehicle with 42,000 miles on it. I bought it used, because I didn't like the changes in the '08 (bigger and heavier). The performance for a SUV is great, passing on the highway or secondary roads is effortless. Mileage varies with the temperature and the heaviness of my right foot. Since it's not an aerodynamic vehicle, the mileage drops over 65 mph, but I get 26-28mpg driving 65 and still get 25mpg going 75mph. Best mileage in the city has been 32, worst has been 21 when it was cold. The fit and finish are good even after 45,000 miles. Maybe some of the critics got a lemon, but I'm very happy with mine.

Favorite Features

Regenerative braking, sportscar-like acceleration, comfortable seating for 5 with plenty of room in back for luggage.

Suggested Improvements

Needs a backup camera.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Effortless power, decent MPG, comfort!

Written by: tash on 01/22/2008

Vehicle

2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr SUV AWD (3.3L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

First things first: THH is a rocket. Acceleration is amazing and it does without major effort. Bought it used with about 10k miles and have 15k now. At this point, I would not change it for any car in the market, including the new THH, which is bigger and wider (Toyota, why?). Ride is soft (maybe not the softest but after CRV, it's like gliding). Exterior is very modest, interior is much better. My wife calls it a granma car on the outside. I actually like it that way. Very subtle, yet very powerful. My friends can't stop smiling at the silence when THH runs on the electric. Big fan of this car. Thank God, no problems, only scheduled maintenance. MPG is ok, esp given the power.

Favorite Features

Engine shutting off at the stops/slow traffic and the power are my favorite features. Soft ride, in-glass antenna, wiper area is heated on the windshield, quiet, alloy wheel design. Interior quality is pleasing. MPG given the HP.

Suggested Improvements

It looks a bit outdated and is a bit bulky.

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