2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Hybrids are certainly not new -- the first Honda Insights and Toyota Priuses rolled into dealerships over five years ago. But the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the one that will put the term "hybrid" on the lips of average Americans. As revolutionary as cars like the Insight were, many people need more than two or even five seats. And that's where the Highlander comes in. As the first seven-passenger hybrid vehicle Toyota 's alternative-powered SUV is revolutionary in its own quiet kind of way.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid stands a decent chance of becoming the car that allows Americans to say “hybrid” and “car in the same sentence without feeling like a hippy leftist. The introduction of a full-size, seven-seat SUV into the up-to-now smaller world of Hybrid models – Prius, Insight – might finally usher this technology into the heart of the mainstream car-buying culture.

What Toyota seems to have realized in the 2006 Highlander model is that while hybrid-buyers are attracted by the conservation aspects of the breed, they're sold by old-fashioned values like power and style. To this end, The 2006 Highlander surrenders nothing to standard models; the 268 HP powerplant is more than sufficient to make you forget you're also getting 31mpg highway, 27mpg city, and acceleration is not noticeably different from non-hybrid models oaf the same size and class.

In terms of luxury elements, the Highlander joins models such as the Lexus RX 400h and Honda Accord Hybrid in offering nice touches such as standard LED taillights – longer-lasting than conventional bulbs, so in keeping with the breed's conservationist instincts – and a rear-roof spoiler (optional). Those buyers opting for the costlier Limited version gain access to even more decadence: a touchscreen-based navigation system, which offers a power flow chart and a fuel economy meter.

Although Toyota offers all-wheel-drive and front-wheel drive, we would suggest not taking the Highlander off standard, well-paved roads. The on-demand all-wheel drive system uses an unusual in that it makes uses of a rear-0mounted generator which, sensing front wheel slip, moves power to the rear wheels. The result is improved traction on all types of road surface.

Handling is a slight problem due to the added weight of the hybrid version of the Highlander, but highway handling is lovely and acceleration is smooth and well-powered. Overall, the 2006 Toyota Highlander will make a serious dent in Americans' perception of “hybrid” as equaling wimpy and underpowered.