Toyota Introduces New Highlander at Chicago

Toyota’s major introduction at this year’s Chicago Auto Show is the completelyredesigned 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid. When it was originally launched in 2001, it changed the SUV segment overnight. At the time most SUVs were still truck-like and meant for off-roading, like Toyota’s own 4Runner, whereas the Highlander was designed primarily for on-road use.

Overall, the new Highlander is a larger vehicle than the one it replaces in every dimension, but it will still be built off of the Camry platform as is the current vehicle. The growth in size equates to a 500 pound gain in curb weight, which is good for impact protection but not necessarily for fuel economy. The new Highlander was styled at Toyota’s CALTY design facility in California, and the resulting design is a much more interesting looking vehicle. Toyota says that the design team went for strength instead of ruggedness, and intelligence over toughness. Gone are the simple shapes and square-ish profile, replaced with curved fenders and flowing lines. The cleaner side profile and rounded nose remind us of the stylish RAV-4. Stare long enough at the front half of the vehicle and you’ll probably begin to see the nose of Toyota’s massive new Tundratruck as well. Finishing off the look, Toyota is upping the ante with standard 17-inch wheels and optional 19-inchers.

Toyota is putting greater emphasis on safety for the new Highlander, offering seven standard airbags including side curtain and driver’s knee, as well as enhanced stability control and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, EBD and brake assist. Another neat addition that’s sure to woo buyers is a rearview camera fitted to all models as standard equipment, bar the most basic. Toyota is pairing the camera to a full-screen trip computer as its Lexus luxury division does with the non-navigation GS models, allowing customers to have the popular device without an expensive nav or upgraded sound system. Both Limited and Hybrid models receive Toyota’s intelligent key system as standard. As with the current car, the Highlander has an available third row that folds flat into the floor.

At launch, the Highlander will be offered with two powertrains, starting with a 3.5-liter V6 that makes an impressive 280 horsepower and 249 lb-ft of torque and drives through a five-speed automatic gearbox. So far Toyota has no plans to offer a four-cylinder model, but the other powertrain system is Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, of course, from the RX 400h luxury utility vehicle and the current Highlander Hybrid. The 3.3-liter V6 is mated to an electrical motor and battery pack yielding 270 net horsepower. Like the current vehicle, it features 4WD-i and an electronically controlled CVT gearbox. One new addition to the Hybrid model is the EV Mode button. When pushed, it allows the Highlander to run completely on battery power. On a fully charged battery, it has a range of 25 miles.

The 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid will go on sale in late summer or early autumn.