The thought of a hybrid vehicle usually brings to mind a small or midsize car; but Toyota doesn’t limit its hybrid models to Prius-size vehicles.
They go big too, specifically on the Highlander SUV -- which is one of just a couple vehicles in its class to offer a hybrid version (the Nissan Pathfinder hybrid being its primary competition).
I recently spent a week in a Highlander hybrid and I’m back with a full report.

LOOKS
The 2014 Highlander hybrid is an attractive-looking mid-size SUV that doesn’t look overly large from the outside, but has more room inside than you would imagine from looking at it.
You get seating for 7 (2 up front, 2 in 2nd-row captain’s chairs, and 3 in the back). But the key thing to know is that the back row is ONLY for children. To say it’s lacking in leg room would be kind. So pack the little ones in back and the adults in the first two rows.

The seating is also versatile, allowing you to fold down the back row to increase your storage space for cargo.

This is a mid-sized SUV; a good happy medium; not a huge full--size truck-based SUV, but also not one of the compact crossovers that are becoming more common and seem barely bigger than a sedan.

While the design is strong inside in terms of layout, the materials not as high quality as I would have liked, especially considering the price of this vehicle. Also, there is a bit of an odd setup on the layout of some the ports (USB port is kind of awkwardly hidden), the center console is a bit gangly to open and close, and the buttons/interface on the stereo seemed outdated and undistinguished for a car of this price range.

One touch I did like was a unique shelf in the dashboard area that could hold all of your keys, wallet, phones, etc., comfortably in a style I haven’t seen in other vehicles.

ENGINE, DRIVE QUALITY
The Highlander hybrid runs of a gas-electric powertrain that includes three electric motors, a battery pack, and a 3.5-liter V6 engine. In total, they produce 280 horsepower. Impressive numbers for a hybrid. All Highlander hybrids come with all-wheel drive. Towing capacity is 3500 pounds.

When you are driving the Highlander hybrid, you can tell the difference in horsepower between this and smaller hybrids. Usually with hybrids I am prepared for them to be slow from a stop and take some take to get up to speed. With the Highlander hybrid I could barely tell I was driving a hybrid. That’s about the best compliment you can have for a hybrid.
The Highlander maneuvers quite well on the road for its size and had responsive handling. Road noise is also kept to a minimum in the vehicle.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
All Highlander hybrids come with Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and eight air bags. The optional Platinum package comes with some very helpful safety features: Safety Connect, Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam headlights, etc.
In essence, whatever you could do to get in trouble on the road, this vehicle can warn you about with a variety of alerts.

The lane departure warning was a bit too sensitive and sometimes annoying, so I would turn that off if you’re on a road with a lot of lines you might be crossing, but usually it’s helpful.

A backup rearview camera and 8-inch monitor are standard. You can choose a DVD entertainment system as a standalone option if you want to keep the kids happy and yourself more sane on long car rides.

I’m not a huge fan of the overall tech user interface on the Highlander. There are some apps that are helpful, but you must download the Entune app to your phone to use them, and the on-screen system looks unimpressive compared to other automakers and could use a refresh.
It’s easy to connect a phone though, and voice commands work well.

MPG
This is a pretty important number, considering that’s what hybrids are meant to improve.

I averaged just over 27 mpg while driving the Highlander hybrid (official numbers are 27 city/28 highway/28 combined). By comparison, the combined average for a non-hybrid Highlander is 20 mpg (a drop of 8 mpg); and you’re not going to beat that 28 mpg number in this category. (Pathfinder is slightly behind by a couple mpg)

Like any hybrid, you have to do the math -- how much money will you save on gas, vs. how much extra you have to pay for the vehicle.
Sure, some folks might just want to drive a hybrid to be eco-friendly, but they are rare. For most people it is about the bottom line and what is coming out of their wallet. If the savings at the pump aren’t enough, the standard Highlander might work better for you.

PRICE
The 2014 Highlander hybrid vehicle I tested was priced just under $50K, and it added some features that bumped it up to $51,761 in total.

Normally a top-end model that I test is way above the base price of the vehicle, but that’s not the case here. While non-hybrid Highlanders go into the low-$30K range, if you want a hybrid version you’re going to start out at a minimum of $47,500, as only the Limited model is offered in a hybrid form.

This is a unique strategy by Toyota, especially considering that that Nissan’s Pathfinder hybrid offers hybrid versions of more base versions that cost in the mid-$30K range.
Perhaps they just trust that their buyers are loyal and wouldn’t consider anything like a Nissan over their Toyota option, but that’s a risky bet, especially in tough financial times.

BOTTOM LINE
If you want a roomy SUV plus the gas mileage that a hybrid vehicle offers, you have limited choice -- if you’re a Toyota person and willing to pay the premium price, the Highlander is a very capable vehicle.

But the rival Pathfinder hybrid will appeal more to the budget-conscious.

Matt Myftiu can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or on Twitter @MattMyftiu