Friday Fleet Notes: 9.21.07

Not too much to report today. We have a lot of new cars in the fleet, but we’re feverishly working on getting the full reviews done before the rest of the staff gets to weigh in on them. Until then, we get another take on the new Hummer H3 Alpha and some good real-life use of the Toyota Highlander’s nav system.

Hummer H3 Alpha

Even though the H3 is the smallest member of the Hummer family (it’s approximately the same length and width as a Jeep Grand Cherokee) it still feels big. Really big. Due to the H3’s height and the short windows, small cars behind me and along the passenger side would essentially disappear. In a 90-minute drive, there were three separate times I thought “Whoa! Where’d that car come from?!” as some compact seemed to zoom ahead out of nowhere.

Suburban Dad: 2008 Toyota Highlander

When the first Highlander debuted, I was confused about what it was supposed to be. There were few crossovers to compete with back then, and the Honda Pilot — its closest rival — looked way more like an SUV than the Highlander did.

Now in its second generation, the Highlander looks sharper all the way around — like Toyota has figured out what its mission is. My wife noticed that the Highlander seemed longer than its previous generation, and she was happy with its butched-up appearance. “This one’s very sharp looking — a lot less bland,” she said. “From the back end it has a nice look to it.” I couldn’t agree more; I’m especially happy with the way Toyota has plastered the name “Highlander” in all caps across the back.

One drawback for families is getting into the Highlander’s third row.

Toyota Prices 2008 Highlander Hybrid

The all-new 2008 Toyota Highlander recently hit showrooms, and Cars.com has already reviewed the redesigned family-hauler. Now, the hybrid edition gets a price tag. The base model is priced at $33,700 and now comes with four-wheel drive standard; that price is $190 less than the outgoing four-wheel-drive model. There are no front-wheel — aka two-wheel-drive models — for 2008.

The better-equipped Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD starts at $39,950. Prices do not include a destination charge. Green-oriented buyers can expect the Highlander Hybrid to arrive at dealers in October.

Related
2008 Toyota Highlander Expert Review (Cars.com)
First Drive: 2008 Toyota Highlander (KickingTires)
More Toyota Highlander News (KickingTires)

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Toyota Highlander

One new model we keep getting questions about is Toyota’s redesigned Highlander SUV. The 2008 gets a bigger engine and some nifty seat configurations but still might have trouble with so much competition in the market. Kelsey Mays not only turns in a review giving the complete rundown of how the Highlander holds up to said competition, but he also turns in two videos as well. One gives an overview of the SUV and the other tackles the seating and cargo areas specifically. That new convertible second-row seat is pretty ingenious. Check out both videos below and the review here. 

First Drive: 2008 Toyota Highlander

Just a stone's throw from Ford's corporate headquarters, Toyota invited journalists to Dearborn, Mich. yesterday to check out the redesigned 2008 Highlander. We took the SUV/Crossover through its paces on city streets and Michigan highways. The verdict: Toyota hasn't messed up a good thing.

All Highlanders carry a 270 hp V-6 from the Camry. There is no more four-cylinder, but V-6 gas mileage improves slightly to roughly 20 mpg in overall driving, according to the EPA's stricter 2008 ratings. By the same standards, the old V-6 Highlander came in at 19 mpg.

The new engine means lead-footed parents will make it to the video store before midnight; power comes quickly as the engine revs, with enough oomph to make you forget the unremarkable response early on. The five-speed automatic allows for energetic passing — third gear is the name of the game, as it proves a handy springboard to accelerate from around 45 mph all the way to 60 or 70.

Toyota Prices All-New 2008 Highlander

Toyota’s new Highlander is significantly redesigned — and presumably improved — over the outgoing model. It has more room, a bigger engine and gets the same gas mileage. It also enters a now ultra-competitive segment in the auto industry: three-row crossovers. That competition is probably one reason Toyota is keeping the new Highlander’s price extremely similar to the outgoing model’s.

The Highlander Base 4x2 starts at $27,300 — $510 more than the 2007 — while the top-of-the-line Highlander Limited 4x2 starts considerably higher than the 2007, at $32,700, a bump of $1,890. Of course, the new models carry more standard safety and other features. The new gasoline Highlander goes on sale in July, with the hybrid model following in September. Pricing for the hybrid will be released closer to its on-sale date. For a full price breakdown of the gasoline version, keep reading.

Related
More Toyota Highlander News (KickingTires)
Auto Show Coverage: 2008 Toyota Highlander, Highlander Hybrid (Cars.com)

2007 Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid

Toyota is taking aim at the booming large-crossover-SUV market with its all-new Highlander. Like the outgoing Highlander, this model is based on a car platform — this time the new Camry/Avalon platform — but what most people will notice first is the much more aggressive looks and decidedly upscale-looking interior.

A 270-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine is a huge boost from the outgoing model and competes with other new offerings in the segment, like the Saturn Outlook, Hyundai Veracruz and Mazda CX-9. There are no mileage figures yet for the regular Highlander, but the company says it will be similar to the past model, even with the added power. 

The Highlander comes in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, though the Hybrid comes only with all-wheel drive. The greener Highlander uses a smaller V-6 engine teamed with an electric motor to produce 270 net hp, but with 31/27 mpg city/highway estimated gas mileage.

We’ll have more information later in the day. For now, check out the photos below and weigh in with your opinion on how the new Highlander will fare in a crowded crossover segment.

New Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid to Debut in Chicago

Carmakers have been hush-hush about what they’ll be debuting at the Chicago Auto Show next month, but finally we have some news. Toyota announced today that it would debut its redesigned 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs on Feb. 7 at McCormick Place. We don’t have much more information, but it is kind of funny that while most automakers are trying not to use the term “crossover” for their car-based SUVs these days, Toyota is still using sport utility vehicle for the Highlander, which is currently based on the same platform as the Toyota Camry. The 2008 Highlander is rumored to be based on the larger Avalon platform to make room for a roomier third row of seats.