What Is the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a mid-size SUV that competes with the Lexus RX 450h and Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid. It's offered in Limited V6 and Limited Platinum V6 trim levels, both of which come standard with all-wheel drive. There's also a non-hybrid version of the 2015 Toyota Highlander, covered separately on Cars.com.
What's New on the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Hot on the heels of the 2014 model year's complete redesign, the 2015 Highlander Hybrid is essentially unchanged for 2015.
How Does the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Compare to Other Mid-Size SUVs?
While the non-hybrid Highlander suffers from a harsh ride and generally unruly road manners, the Highlander Hybrid does not succumb to these problems; it offers strong, immediate acceleration and lacks the strange torque steer of its non-hybrid counterpart, perhaps because every Highlander Hybrid is equipped with all-wheel drive.
Unsurprisingly, fuel economy is a strength. The Highlander Hybrid is rated up to 28/28/28 mpg city/highway/combined, while the all-wheel-drive Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid comes in just lower at 25/27/26 mpg and the all-wheel-drive Lexus RX 450h virtually matches the Toyota at 29/27/28 mpg. The Highlander Hybrid can drive on purely electric power at low speeds.
In terms of cargo space, the Highlander Hybrid mirrors its non-hybrid counterpart with 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row, which is less than the Pathfinder Hybrid's 16.0 cubic feet. Folding down the Toyota's third row yields a more useful 42.3 cubic feet — less than the Pathfinder Hybrid (47.8) but more than the Lexus RX 450h (40.0).
What Features in the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Are Most Important?
Every 2015 Highlander Hybrid comes equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with three electric motors, channeling power through a continuously variable automatic transmission. It offers ECO and EV driving modes.
Significant standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, smoked-chrome headlamps, solar-energy-absorbing glass for the front and rear side windows, heated and ventilated front seats, three-zone climate control, a power liftgate, second-row pull-up sunshades, driver's seat memory, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a 4.2-inch color LCD for navigation, audio and hands-free calling. Notable available features include a heated steering wheel, heated second-row captain's chairs, automatic high beams, a panoramic moonroof, smart key and a rear entertainment system.
As is required in all new vehicles of this model year, the 2015 Highlander Hybrid comes equipped with front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system. Every 2015 Highlander Hybrid also comes with a backup camera, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a knee airbag and occupant-sensing front airbags. Available safety features include rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and collision warning.
Should I Buy the 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The 2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is, without question, the best version of Toyota's mid-size SUV. The caveat is its cost: Since it's offered only in the top, Limited trim level, its price is in the same neighborhood as the Lexus RX 450h — far above more modest competitors like the Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid. That price, however, also means it comes with loads of comfort, convenience and tech features. So if you can weather the sticker shock, the 2015 Highlander Hybrid is a strong choice.
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