Toyota Highlander Hybrid review

The Toyota Highlander is a large, seven-seat SUV that sits above the RAV4 in size, and is only offered as a hybrid. You’d be forgiven for having never heard of a Toyota Highlander, as this is the first time the model has been sold here. It’s hugely popular in the US, however, where millions of the things have been sold over the past two decades.

Like Halloween, fast food and large fridge freezers, many things made popular in America have also become popular in Europe. But cars aimed at the States quite often flop over here. Thankfully, though, the Highlander is a worthy new addition to Toyota’s UK range.

The Highlander is aimed at big, seven-seat SUV alternatives such as the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe. But it’s also priced to compete with basic versions of the Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery. The latter offer posher badges, but they can’t match the Highlander’s long list of standard equipment.

If you expected the Toyota Highlander to have the same angular, creased look as the smaller Rav4, you’ll either be disappointed or relieved (depending on your view). It’s much more conventional-looking. In fact, it looks a little bit bland next to the more distinctive Kia Sorento.

The same applies to the cabin, which is clearly more about function than beauty. That’s no bad thing, however, especially in a family SUV: everything feels built to last, although some plastics don’t feel or look as nice as they should for the price. At least there’s some plush soft-touch trim dotted about the place to improve things.

Ease-of-use is a big thing here: Toyota has resisted the urge to cover the dash in fiddly touch-sensitive buttons or bury every function in the touchscreen. That means it’s not the most attractive cabin, granted, but many will see it as a worthy sacrifice. It’s a pity the infotainment already looks and feels a bit old-school, though.

Still, the seats are comfortable, visibility is great and you’ll have no complaints from passengers in terms of space – the Highlander is one of the roomiest SUVs on the market. Front passengers have loads of room and there’s an enormous cubby between the seats.

Exciting and fun to drive the Highlander isn't, but if you want comfy and relaxing family transport it's a good buy

But it’s in the back where the Toyota Highlander really excels; the middle row offers generous legroom, especially with the sliding and reclining seats pushed all the way back, while headroom is still good even with the standard panoramic sunroof. There’s a flat floor so three people isn’t a squeeze, either. The third row is best for kids but fine for adults on short journeys, and those chairs are certainly more useable than they are in something like a Skoda Kodiaq.

The Toyota Highlander also has reclining seatbacks for the third row: not all SUVs have this, and it allows you to make your sixth and seventh passenger more comfortable, or maximise boot space. The boot itself is just big enough for a weekly shop with all seats in place, and bigger than an Audi Q7 with the third row folded. The only downside is the lack of any handy electric folding mechanism for the seats.

At least deciding which engine to have is easy, as there is only one. It’s a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with two electric motors – one for the front wheels and one for the rear – that make the Toyota Highlander four-wheel drive.

With 246hp pulling a two-tonne car, performance is okay, but not brilliant. It’s quick off the mark and builds speed reasonably well, but because it uses a CVT automatic gearbox the engine sounds like it’s screaming for relief when you put your foot down. At least with no gears to change it’s super smooth around town, and the hybrid system juggles between electric and petrol power well.

The soft suspension of the Toyota Highlander makes for a comfortable and refined ride – great for potholed British roads. It does mean it’s not as sharp in the bends as some rivals and the car feels a bit disconnected from the road, but who is buying a large SUV for handling anyway?

The Toyota Highlander isn’t the cheapest large SUV around, so why not see how much you can save on our deals page?