2006 Toyota Highlander Review

Specifications

Multi-Model Hybrid Plan is Under Way

Toyota upped the ante in the green public relations war by unveiling the 2006 Highlander Hybrid at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.

The Lexus RX 400h, the hybrid gas-electric version of the RX 330 that will go on sale later this summer, was expected to be shown in production trim at the annual event already. But no one could say for sure if Toyota would unveil a hybrid gas-electric Highlander version or maybe a hybrid Sienna minivan, or even a Camry. While the latter has just been announced, the Highlander Hybrid will be an extremely popular green machine. The enhanced midsize SUV will be built alongside the RX 400h, which shares its general architecture, at Toyotas Kyushu, Japan facility.

As a quick background, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) typically feature a gasoline or diesel internal combustion (IC) engine that is paired with at least one electric motor and a battery pack. In Toyotas case the IC engine and/or electric motor can then be used to power the wheels. The battery can power the electric motor alone, allowing the IC engine to shutdown when its not needed, saving on fuel and reducing emissions.

Unlike battery-powered EVs, vehicles like the Highlander Hybrid are “non-plug-in electrics,” meaning that they use their internal combustion engines to recharge the battery pack.

Toyota has raked in many accolades for its Prius HEV; among them, the revamped 2004 model was named the 2004 “North American Car of the Year” for the Detroit auto show.

While Honda fielded the first HEV to be available to consumers in North America, but it was and still is a “mild hybrid” (vehicles that are only powered by their IC engines but use their battery packs to provide a power boost at critical times). The Insight, followed up by the much more functional Civic Hybrid, now complete the range of Honda HEVs. A hybrid Accord is expected out soon.

Mitsubishi and Nissan will begin marketing HEVs in North America over the next few years as well, while domestics General Motors, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler have invested hundreds of millions in HEVs, battery EVs, hydrogen fuel cell technologies, and alternative fuel vehicles. GM has been the most bullish with regards to HEVs, having announced that at least twelve of its models will receive HEV powertrains by 2007.

Meanwhile, the European automakers have generally touted advanced clean diesel engines as a less expensive solution that provides nearly the same benefits as hybrids, but without the higher price tag. BMW has focused much of its attention on the unique liquid hydrogen powered IC 745h concept, a technology that hasnt been forgotten by Ford as shown by last years Model U concept.

The new Toyota SUV will follow the more luxurious Lexus RX 400h to market, with both featuring a new version of Toyotas Hybrid Synergy Drive. The SUVs will feature a new battery that will deliver twice the power of a Prius. And their all-new electric motor (actually, 2×4 models will feature two electric motors while the all-wheel drive version will have a third electric motor in the back) can operate at up to 12,000 rpms, about twice the speed of the Prius motor, delivering a peak output of about 270 hp.

“Amazingly, the 400h [and Highlander Hybrid] will also deliver combined-fuel-efficiency that will be significantly better than the current-EPA-average for a four-cylinder compact sedan (about 27.4 mpg),” Clements said, adding that the SUVs driving range should exceed 600 miles on a tank of gasoline.”

A normal V6-powered Lexus RX 330 or Toyota Highlander with all-wheel or four-wheel drive can achieve 19 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway.

The Highlander Hybrid will also be rated as a super ultra low emissions vehicle (SULEV), the best rating given to vehicles under U.S. federal government standards.

“The real story about our hybrid drive is the acceleration; the 0-30 and 30-50 is extremely quick,” Clements added. “We dont have final numbers, but I can tell you that our 0-60 (mph) acceleration is under eight seconds.”

Under the hood, the hybrid powertrain is combined with the 3.3-liter V6 engine found in the Highlander to significantly improve low to mid-speed acceleration and overall fuel efficiency.

The Toyota hybrid SUV uses a regenerative braking system, just like the Prius, to further boost system efficiency. When the vehicle is coasting or the brakes are applied, the electric motor functions as a generator, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through the brakes and converting it into useable electricity to recharge the batteries.

The Highlander Hybrid, slated for sale in North America in 2005, will offer the world its first seven-passenger hybrid SUV, stated Jim Press, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

It will boast many of the same features and performance characteristics of the luxury model, including VDM, rear LED tail lamps, will be rated as an SULEV, and will deliver better acceleration over a typical sport-ute.

The differences, when compared to the Lexus RX 400h, are that the Highlander Hybrid will offer “electric four-wheel-drive with intelligence” (4WD-I), where the front and rear electric motors deliver balanced power to all four wheels to provide simultaneous acceleration.

The Highlander Hybrid will only be offered in a three row, seven passenger seating configuration, added Toyota spokesman Mike Michaels. The third row seats fold flat into the floor to create additional cargo space, and the second 60/40 split-folding row of seats also reclines and folds forward for comfort or added utility.

The green Highlander will also include a tire pressure warning system, optional front seat-mounted side airbags and front and second row curtain side airbags, deluxe AM/FM/cassette/CD sound system with six speakers, and a navigation system on the “Limited” model.

As expected, Toyota wasnt about to release any prices for the Highlander Hybrid, nor is the company saying publicly what its production targets are.

“We think the demand (for the Highlander Hybrid) will be strong,” noted Michaels.

Yet, the prices for hybrid vehicles are substantially more expensive than conventionally equipped vehicles–about $4,000-$6,000, according to analyst David Cole, president, Center for Automotive Research of Ann Arbor, Mich.

“There are two issues that hybrids face as you look at trying to get higher volume production and achieve economies of scale,” Cole said. “First, there is duality in the system–you still have an internal combustion engine, but then you have the electric drivetrain too. There are more parts in hybrid vehicles; more sophisticated parts in terms of the electronics and the hardware.”

But being that fuel prices are increasing substantially in North America, buyers may actually get immediate benefits in fuel savings to outweigh the additional cost per vehicle, he said.

Proof positive is the recent reception given to the new Prius, which has received more than 10,000 pre-orders before even arriving in dealerships. Such success, coupled with the fact that Toyotas new line of hybrids is being built on regular production lines, spells continued success for the technology.

“Ultimately, you cant sustain the business unless its cost effective to do it,” Cole said.

But still only time will tell if Toyotas bold venture into HEVs will pay off over the long haul.