2009 Toyota Highlander

The Highlander features all of the finer options offered by Toyota this season, like their safety trim which has rear view cameras SRS airbags and bluetooth connectivity which will keep you connected hands-free.

Under the hood of the Highlander is a powerful 3.5L V6 which will allow you to tow up to 3,500 lbs. If you are environmentally conscience you may opt for the Highlander-Hybrid that gets an impressive 7.7L/100km with a 3.3L V6. Compare that with the 3.5L on the standard Highlander which gets 10.8L/100km.

If this sounds like your car check one out at your local Toyota dealer today. Expect starting prices to begin around $32,600 for the standard and $42,735 for the hybrid.

Image: Toyota.com

Post from: EveryJoe

There haven’t been any accidents which caused the recall, and there is no potential for the seatbelts to fail during the crash. Because of a small number of rear-facing child seats with the potential to move during regular driving (but no evidence this would lead to a failure during a crash) the NHTSA asked for the belts to be replaced at manufacturer’s cost.

This is what they had to say about the belt problem:

 This could discourage the use of a child restraint and in the event of a crash, the child may not be adequately protected, possibly resulting in injury.

So there you have it. They’re worried that parents are going to say, “Screw this,” and endanger their kids. I’m not sure how legitimate that fear is, but regardless, this recall isn’t something that should rattle your faith in your auto.

Please do have the repair work done though. It’s at the manufacturer’s expense, and while it might not be a problem for you, there’s no way of telling what kind of person you might sell your car.

Post from: EveryJoe

Yeh, I know. It’s a little obvious when I’ve got a crush on a new hybrid. Sorry Prius, but my needs have changed. It’s not you. It’s me …

AND, of course, the new 2008 Toyota Highlander hybrid with all it’s delicious techie-gadgets and oh-so-comfortable ride.

Lamenting the fact that the mileage is a piddly 27 mpg, I was very happy to read more about the factory-installed EV button (a popular mod in the Prius, which switches the car to electric-only mode for a mile or so … but with the nasty side-effect of voiding the warranty) and Econ Mode.

What? What is that feature which sounds so impressive and interesting?

Econ Mode allows the engine to run more efficiently by pushing the engine less. It addresses the biggest hits to fuel economy – stomping on the gas and needlessly wasting fuel by accelerating more ferociously than need be – and in doing so, will make a real difference in the miles per gallon seen in real world usage.

I’m a fan of quirky writing, and here is the oddest review of a car I’ve read in awhile, declaring the HiHy to be “Schizophrenic, but in a Good Way“.

Post from: EveryJoe

 ”A traditional hybrid charges its electrical battery from energy created when the gas engine is running. The owner of a plug-in hybrid can plug it into a regular wall socket overnight and start the day with a fully charged battery. That can reduce the amount of gas the Prius uses.

The solar kits push it one step further, giving motorists a little extra energy while they’re sitting in traffic or waiting to pick the kids up from soccer practice.

A solar Prius will use 17 percent to 29 percent less gasoline than a standard Prius, according to a research paper on the Solar Electrical Vehicles site.”

Read more here

Post from: EveryJoe