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2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Safety Review

May 29, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

more standard safety features
ConsumerGuide

a full five stars for driver protection
Edmunds

features that impressed me
Mother Proof

Safety is a big part of the Highlander feature offering
Popular Mechanics

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earns top safety scores from both the government and private industry tests.

According to Edmunds, both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) award the Highlander Hybrid top marks for accident safety. TheCarConnection.com finds that ratings from the federal agency were five stars for driver safety in frontal impacts, four for passenger safety in front impacts, and five stars for all occupants in side impact crashes. The IIHS gave this vehicle a top rating of "good."

Cars.com reports the Highlander Hybrid's numerous standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, as well as an electronic stability system and the full complement of airbags--seven, according to Popular Mechanics. A rearview camera is available as an option.

Edmunds reports that despite the availability of Snow Mode (one of the "features that impressed," says Mother Proof), the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's all-wheel-drive system is not "suited for serious wintertime duty," which is not surprising in light of Popular Mechanics’ observation of its lack of off-road performance capability.

Conclusion

The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has comprehensive safety gear and good crash-test ratings.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:more standard safety featuresConsumerGuidea full five stars for driver protection Edmundsfeatures that impressed meMother ProofSafety is a big part of the Highlander feature offeringPopular Mechanics The 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid earns top safety scores from both the government and private industry tests. According to Edmunds, both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) award the Highlander Hybrid top marks for accident safety. TheCarConnection.com finds that ratings from the federal agency were five stars for driver safety in frontal impacts, four for passenger safety in front impacts, and five stars for all occupants in side impact crashes. The IIHS gave this vehicle a top rating of "good." Cars.com reports the Highlander Hybrid's numerous standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, as well as an electronic stability system and the full complement of airbags--seven, according to Popular Mechanics. A rearview camera is available as an option. Edmunds reports that despite the availability of Snow Mode (one of the "features that impressed," says Mother Proof), the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's all-wheel-drive system is not "suited for serious wintertime duty," which is not surprising in light of Popular Mechanics’ observation of its lack of off-road performance capability. ConclusionThe 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has comprehensive safety gear and good crash-test ratings.  2008 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "boasts some very favorable aerodynamics" Cars.com: "sleeker than its predecessor and features smooth sides" Mother Proof: "looks like it has spent some time in a spa" TheCarConnection.com consulted a wide range ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Escape Hybrid and its kissing cousins, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Mazda Tribute Hybrid, are the highest-mileage SUVs in all the land. But these Fords are smaller than the 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid inside and out. The Escape uses a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that gets 34 mpg city, 30 mpg highway.

Next Steps:

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See the Toyota Highlander Hybrid in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

Comments (2 total)

  1. By  Clean Energy #1, Posted: 5/29/2008

    Hybrid Underwhelming

    I was expecting much better range and performance under battery mode than reported here. And even though the MPG in the city is higher than highway, 27 mpg is nothing to be too proud of when fuel prices and supply are where they are, let alone with the eco consequences of fossil fuel use. Nice summary here though!

  2. By Sharon Morey #2, Posted: 9/19/2008

    Electrical Problem Cannot Solve

    I love my 2008 Highlander Hybrid except I have an electrical problem with loud pops and snaps in the speakers. Speakers and amps replaced - still a problem. Desperate to find a solution.

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