2009 Toyota Highlander
Arriving on the market for the first time in 2001, the Toyota Highlander is the crossover counterpart to the more truck-like Toyota 4Runner (according to Toyota, the Highlander is not designed to be driven off-road). The second generation of the Highlander was introduced as a 2008 model. The standard powerplant is a 3.5-liter V-6 powering the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional. Toyota also offers a hybrid Highlander model with a smaller 3.3-liter engine and a supplemental 167-hp electric motor. The EPA fuel economy rating for the gasoline model is 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (2WD model), while the Highlander Hybrid earned 27 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (these are figures from the 2008 model with its on-demand 4-wheel-drive system, and hybrids commonly get better gas mileage in the city). In our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles, the previous-generation Highlander ranked highest in its segment. Additionally, the Toyota ranked among the top three models in its segment in our 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS), representing a low number of manufacturing and design defects during the first 90 days of ownership. In crash testing, the Toyota Highlander was named a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). For 2009, the Highlander Hybrid is available with a front-wheel-drive powertrain in addition to its on-demand all-wheel-drive offering.
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Other 2009 Midsize SUVs:
