DThere can only be one avon: The Highlander model from Toyota is a large SUV with an unusual concept, and regardless of the equipment variant, the customer has to take the drive as it is: a petrol engine with a displacement of 2.5 liters and 190 hp (140 kW), an electric motor with 134 kW at the front and one with 40 kW at the rear, which turns the front-wheel drive into an all-wheel drive if required. The power is transmitted by means of a continuously variable transmission (CVT). If the concept sounds familiar: The drive corresponds to that of the RAV 4 from the same clan, which the Highlander is also similar in design.
The RAV 4, however, draws a system output of 306 hp from it, the much larger Highlander has to get by with 248. The reason is simple: in contrast to the little brother, the big one doesn’t have a plug with which the battery can be charged. Its battery is tiny with around 1.8 kWh and a nickel-metal hydride version. The button for the E mode is therefore only good for a few meters in the pedestrian zone. That has consequences, the Highlander does not get an E-license.
Can that go well? Yes, it is even better than expected. How the interplay of forces works can be admired on the display, where petrol and electric motors join hands to create an efficient ensemble. When you take off the accelerator, it goes without saying that recuperation takes place, but we would prefer several steps using the paddles on the steering wheel than the senseless simulation of gear steps. The big SUV can actually travel 100 kilometers with 7 to 8 liters of gasoline, which is barely above the WLTP value. Of course, only if the driver strokes the accelerator. Then the car is quiet and comfortable and not even slow.
Even on the autobahn at speeds of over 160 km / h, the Highlander needs less than ten liters. Officially, it is limited to 180, our copy managed a fully adequate 188 km / h. But woe, the driver overtakes a touch of sportiness. If the accelerator pedal is not slowly inserted into the desired higher speed, the engine will howl without generating any noticeable more propulsion, and consumption skyrockets. This annoying behavior of the CVT is often described as a rubber band effect, it reminds us more of a clutch defect. The RAV 4 has that too, but it is hardly noticeable because of the much more snappy electric motors.
The result is that the owner of a Highlander approaches the trip with ease, which is not bad either. This can be done with a two-ton trailer and the whole family, because the large Toyota offers seven seats over a length of almost five meters – the third row is more comfortable than it looks, provided you have climbed it without damage second a sofa with plenty of legroom. At the very back there is still 240 liters of trunk space. If both rows are folded down, the Toyota can hold almost two cubic meters of luggage.
At the front there is an enormous amount of space on all sides, and the driver will enjoy the dignified equipment and attractive instrumentation with head-up display. The display of the current consumption between the speedometer and the multifunction display can hardly be read, however. Our test car was shown with a base price of around 53,000 euros, now the configurator shows 59,000 for the entry-level and almost 64,000 for the lavishly equipped Luxury. Shouldn’t there be a plug for so much money?
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