Taking the Highlander Hybrid on a Family Trip // Toyota Highlander Hybrid REVIEW

[@stevedemoss]

I have owned a Highlander Hybrid Platinum for two years now, and I’m very happy with my choice. I have gotten as high as 42 MPG on the road, and it continues to please me with its quiet and comfortable ride, decent infotainment system, and versatility. I even had occasion to use the 1500-watt AC outlet in the wayback last week to power a small air compressor. I would enjoy having the updated infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, more logically-placed Qi wireless phone charger and digital instrument panel, but I’m not going to trade my ‘21 just to get those upgrades. Styling is subjective, and the Highlander’s has grown on me. Thanks for your thorough and thoughtful review.

[@jax1079]

Thanks for watching! Glad you like it!

[@dianaarteaga9753]

Isn’t it super loud when you accelerate though? I have the same one & the loud engine gas/engine irritates me so much. Is my car defective?

[@stevedemoss]

@@dianaarteaga9753 Sorry, I just saw this. I don’t find it to be overly loud when accelerating, but I tend to drive for fuel economy and am pretty easy on the gas pedal.

[@jpdoc5722]

nice 👍

[@wabbit7608]

I can't believe you think this vehicle is UGLY. They sell a ton of these vehicles, and seriously doubt those folks consider it n ugly vehicle. It's just your personal opinion. I find it attractive. Maybe you just like other vehicles that look aggressive in their styling.

[@jax1079]

Oh I'm sure there are those out there who like, but I think a lot of people gravitate towards the tougher look, hence the success of the Kia Telluride and new Honda Pilot designs.

[@davejones3348]

Agree 100%. I think the Highlander is the best looking SUV in its price class. Lots of its competitors look strikingly similar to each other, and the Kia/Hyundai are just butt ugly, IMO.

[@mikeshaffer6574]

It’s so ugly, but I had to buy it. 😂 I never heard anyone say it looks great, except in the reveiws.

[@jimreid6295]

I agree with you 100% about the armrest! It's the only vehicle that I have ever driven, including full size pick up trucks that I couldn't reach the armrest without leaning over. When I drive long distances I stuff a pillow in between. I have been driving cars for 45 years.

[@jax1079]

Isn’t it weird?! You can drive a Ford F-250 that feels more wrapped around you. I appreciate the space, but I’d like to rest my arm on a car trip

[@jonathantyler6318]

Jax, completely agree with your opinion regarding the styling. Other than a few quirks it's hard to beat the fuel economy, space and Toyota reliability in this segment and price point.

[@jax1079]

Right? So much goodness here spoiled by a ridiculous exterior design aesthetic that someone thought would harken back to the… Supra? Like, what?! 😂 Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@Noypi54494]

I have a 2021 HH Platinum with 100k miles on it and just the other day I was in Mexico and a newer model Lexus GX SUV wanted to race. The cross winds were pretty bad and the GX I passed at 110mph easily while the GX seriously looked like it was going to flip over to the right due to cross winds. The driver abruptly slowed down as it became smaller and smaller in my rear view mirror. These Highlanders have excellent aerodynamics.

[@jax1079]

Mexico do be crazy. Sounds like that GX should stick to off roading 😜

[@kimmerkt6710]

I bought the xle nightshade hybrids this week and I’m getting 41mpg they said I’d get 36mpg. I honestly love everything about it! It’s my first Toyota and can’t believe I didn’t get one before. I personally like the look of them. It has every option that I need in it. I’m not a car person but this is the first vehicle I’ve owned that I’m proud of!. I didn’t want a white vehicle this time around and was disappointed with the color its pearl white. I didn’t realize it’s got a shimmer and actual looks like a light gray at times it’s sharp!

[@jax1079]

Nice! Glad to hear it!

[@tmo4330]

41? Great! I am sold.

[@Redneckboy991]

I just ordered the Highlander hybrid platinum AWD. It's a 2 year wait.

[@jax1079]

Yikes! Hopefully it’s worth it! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@niffty5087]

I did the same, my dealer gets 1-2 per month and there are 40 people in front of me. Hopefully, Grand Highlander takes a few off the list

[@kimmerkt6710]

I walked into a dealer this week and they had one that came off the truck it’s the xle. I bought it on the spot and I’m so glad I did

[@Redneckboy991]

@@kimmerkt6710 You're very lucky. I live in Canada and they don't seem to be in a hurry for us. Not sure whether it's Toyota dragging their feet because we're much smaller market then the US or the dealer. The dealer calls me every month saying they have an XLE hybrid in the color we did not ask for or they have a platinum that isn't a hybrid. LOL. I'm in no hurry. So I'll wait.

[@kimmerkt6710]

@@Redneckboy991 I wanted a grey nightshade but took the white because of the waiting list. I absolutely love it! I almost bought a 6 cylinder platinum but it was the same price and 2 years old but only had 855 miles on it. I’m getting 41 mpg so glad I fell into the hybrid

[@JDruRC4]

As a Northerner, it gives me great pleasure that it snowed on you after your sass towards us 😆 . . . But also, when we want it to be good in snow, that amount of snow is not what we are talking about ya silly Southerner. 😁

[@jax1079]

Yeah, it came down hard for a few hours, but it melted away quickly. Fun fact: the field we were in got so muddy thanks to the melted snow that when we came out of the volleyball tournament hours later cars were sliding down the hill into each other. It was gnarly. Fortunately, the Highlander remained safe!

[@AutoAcademics]

Tell Mrs. JAX I know what "floaty" and "buttoned-down" mean. 😂 Great review!

[@jax1079]

Hahaha! I tried to tell her!

[@rmerrida]

She was kind of annoying. Her butting in and ball busting him wasn't helping the review.

[@craighazlett119]

Can the second row seats recline?

[@Alddyn]

Good video, Grand Highlander all day, every day

[@jax1079]

Yeah, the Grand Highlander looks pretty great. I will be very curious to see what they do with the Highlander nameplate for the next gen. My suspicion is that we might see a plug in hybrid version, like a Highlander Prime. I just hope the styling is better. Thanks for watching!

[@MalteFS]

Very good review, you should have more views and definitely more thumbs up. Well done

[@jax1079]

Thank you so much! And thanks for watching! 🙏🏻

[@jprusso224]

It's not bad???? (fuel consumption) It's damn impressive if you ask me, for a car this size. Glad you're "using" Mrs Jax in your vids now!

[@jax1079]

Glad you like it! She's going to become a regular feature all her own. AND... next week we reveal her actual name. Basically because she was sick of being "Mrs. JAX." Hahaha!

[@moderateminneapolita]

Beautiful car

[@markdougherty1636]

I am concerned about power: uphill passing a semi at 80 mph??

[@jax1079]

It’s totally fine. Nothing in this class feels appreciably faster than this. The Grand Highlander is the only one with true grunt in top spec form. The fuel economy is worth it, but the Grand Highlander hybrid just about matches it with more space.

[@markdougherty1636]

@@jax1079 Thank you.

[@kimmerkt6710]

It’s good, I have way more power in mine than I had in my Malibu

[@tmo4330]

Which country do you live in? In the U.S. this vehicle has more than enough power. Speed limits are 55-70 mph.

[@yahooskip]

YOU think it's ugly, many of us, do not think it's ugly

[@jax1079]

I mean, looks are subjective…

[@coryvb3056]

Jax, great review, love the family trip idea as that it what we plan to do with this if we get one this year. Wife has a 2011 RAV 4 and has loved it. She wants to upgrade to a Highlander. How easy is it to park in a parking spot?

[@jax1079]

Thanks so much! We try to do everything from a family perspective. It’s easy to park and live with for sure, which is one benefit of the Highlander being a fraction smaller than some of the competition: it feels more like a RAV4 (which we personally own one as well) than it does a Grand Highlander. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@Holyheart1]

I just can't get over how Toyota won't heat the whole steering wheel crazy

[@jax1079]

Nobody's perfect 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jimreid6295]

Yes! It's my wife's car and I told her I don't like driving it for that reason.

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

It looks like a white interior? I never saw that on the option list.

[@jax1079]

It wasn't white, kind of an almond/light tan. Not sure what the official color is called, but it's more like a light tan in real life. Thanks for watching!

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

@@jax1079 thanks for responding, I have a hybrid platinum on order. While I love red, I don’t get a color vote. Blue, silver or gray, and no black interior. Currently drive a 2015 Highlander with almost 200k miles.

[@biagiooliverio8049]

Wish the offer the bench seat as second seats. With the captains seats it’s really a four seater .

[@jax1079]

True, but you can get a bench

[@drive2279]

Great review. I hope Grand highlander will keep most of those figures But how fast were you going on the highways? I believe that city mpg is achievable due to the regenerative braking and electric motors.

[@jax1079]

I certainly wasn't going slow, which actually makes the mileage worse since you're correct that most of the benefit comes in stop and go around town driving. Considering that, it's even more impressive that the Highlander was averaging such high numbers. It's impressively efficient. Thanks for watching!

[@francbele]

Hey, thanks for this quick "facts" review! Can you tell me what was the average speed of your trip?

[@jax1079]

Probably around 45-50 mph. Once we arrived we spend the weekend in suburban stop and go, so it was probably in that range over the course of 800 miles or so.

[@andysaunders3708]

Agree with you regarding the engine noise, and the fuel economy. Disagree with you on the exterior styling. It's not stunningly beautiful, but I've seen way uglier cars just driving around town today.

[@jax1079]

Well you're certainly not wrong on that one

[@ecovango6675]

But here’s the thing! Toyota is the only game in town when it comes to a 1500 W inverter! The only other vehicle that has some thing like that is another Toyota RAV4 hybrid with the max options! The limited trim comes with the 1500 W inverter! #That’sACampingGameChanger!

[@jax1079]

This is a true, and that could definitely be a selling point for people with active lifestyles. Thanks for watching!

[@miketauer4538]

Good review….thank you The wife needs to stop with her criticism!

[@jax1079]

Welcome to MY world... :-)

[@dianaarteaga9753]

Why is the engine so loud? I absolutely hate my Highlander hybrid 😭

[@jax1079]

The 4 cylinder noise has long been a complaint of the Toyota hybrid system, which is a shame since it's so fantastically efficient. The newer hybrid systems aren't as thrashy as the RAV4 and Highlander hybrids

[@gregthomson7889]

Wow great review.It's made to not be the best looking vehicle or it would be harder to sell the Lexus RX 350.That simple.

[@ketchum6455]

Crazy how one channel says the Highlander is ugly and another thinks it’s elegant 😂

[@jax1079]

Haha! Very true. Design is subjective for sure.

[@yahooskip]

? Not sure what you are saying about it being ugly? Ok, maybe not the best looking vehicle in it's class, but I for 1, oops, I for 1,000's of folks who have purchased one, don't think it's ugly. But yes, that's just mine and oh yeah, those other 1,000's of buyers who now one:)

[@jax1079]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess… 😉

[@johny3133]

Acceptable jokes. Thank you 🤝

[@jax1079]

You're most welcome 😎

[@bigdogbrosadventures8371]

cool! Really, that's not snow.

[@jax1079]

Blizzard

[@anthony310h]

I like it shots fired lol

[@jax1079]

Fair enough :-)

[@luisc9652]

The car looks great the look is a question of taste

[@jax1079]

This is true

[@yahooskip]

They walk away because of the looks. Toyota is lucky, they walk away and they still sell 226,000 units, compared to the other PRETTY ones, that sell 92,000 units? Good thing some folks think it's ugly, or else they others wouldn't sell any?

[@jax1079]

It’s not a commentary on sales figures. The Highlander doesn’t need help in that department. It’s more an observation that the Highlander might sell EVEN MORE units if it looked better compared with some rivals.

[@napierko]

Subliminal messaging “envy of Jones’” Black Hyundai Palisade in the background, touché 16:37

[@jax1079]

Yeah, that was a weird coincidence 😂

[@shannonthomass]

The highlander is uggggly. But man it has a lot to offer outside that. If it looked like the grand highlander I would buy one without a doubt

[@jax1079]

I have a feeling there are a lot of people who feel the same way. Fear not! The Grand Highlander has some compelling powertrain options (and more space), and I have a hunch we'll be seeing a plug-in hybrid version of the next Highlander in the future. Thanks for watching!

[@fartman10284]

The grand highlander is ugly. I’ve grown to like the highlander styling

[@jasonlo8780]

​@@fartman10284pull my finger

[@RahulSinha-l5u]

That’s smart up selling from Toyota 😂

[@Julianvanderheijden]

That is an opinion. I really see a good looking suv

[@sonyahathaway9753]

Show the inside, not people talking about the inside

[@jax1079]

What if I showed the inside while talking about the inside while showing the inside…? Inception?

[@totiriel6079]

YOU SAID IT'S UGLY, I THINK IT'S BEAUTIFUL. IT DEPENDS ON THE PERSON. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR WIFE?

[@jax1079]

I'm not married to a Toyota Highlander, fortunately.