New 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Flies to LA for World Premiere

Billed as the world’s first seven-passenger gas-electric hybrid SUV, the third generation of Toyota's Highlander Hybrid made its first appearance in front of a crowd today at the LA Auto Show.

Besides the new body and interior that are common with the regular 2014 Highlander, the hybrid model comes with a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine paired to an electric drive motor-generator and electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD-i). Fuel economy and output figures have not yet been announced.

Toyota claims that, thanks to a new raft of technologies, including enhancements in suspension performance, and optimized electric power steering, the new Highlander Hybrid will provide "a more dynamic driving experience".

The new hybrid SUV will go on sale in the States next February available in two trim grades, the limited with a starting MSRP of $47,300, and the Limited Platinum that adds features such as a Panoramic Moonroof, heated steering wheel, and heated perforated leather second-row captain’s chairs, for $49,790. Both prices exclude a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $860.

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Toyota Turns Highlander Into a Spongebob-Themed Fishtank, Announces Competition Winner

Following the Texas barbecue-themed Tundra, Toyota has unveiled another custom concept based on the full-size pickup at the SEMA Show. The 2014 SpongeBob Highlander Tanked edition features an 800-gallon (3,028-liter) custom tank that can host around 115 individual fish!

The tank occupies the entire space behind the front seats and was designed by Animal Planet’s “Tanked” co-stars Wayde King and Brett Raymer in partnership with Toyota and Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants”.

More than 32 species populate the aquarium tank, which features a custom-built, complex filtration system including an overflow system, sterilizer, UV filter, temperature regulator and additional elements.

The SpongeBob theme carries throughout the interior details and the exterior wrap of the vehicle. The unusual Highlander will be featured in March 2014 in an episode of “Tanked” on Animal Planet.

Today, the Japanese brand also announced the winner of the 2013 Toyota Dream Build Challenge, which is the “Let’s Go Moto Tundra”, designed by Supercross stars Justin Brayton and Josh Grant with the help of Joe Gibbs Racing Motocross. The concept truck features an 8-foot (2,438-mm) rolling “pitlane”, complete with TV screens, a power washer, spare parts and tools.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Toyota and Lexus Hybrids Recalled Over Stalling Issues

A problem with the electronics of the hybrid system, which could cause certain Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs to lose power or stop running, is the reason behind the Japanese carmaker’s latest recall.
Toyota said about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles from the 2006 and 2007 model years sold in the USA are affected by the voluntary recall.

Toyota to Boost Output of American Factories to 70% by June

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused severe problems to automakers all around the world, mainly due to the lack of parts, but at least Toyota seems to be recovering at a faster pace than expected. Today, the world’s largest automaker said production at its North American facilities will rise to approximately 70 percent of normal in June, up from around 30 percent in May when it was forced to idle factories for several days or reduce shifts.

Toyota Recalling More than 300,000 RAV4 and Highlander SUVs in the States

Toyota’s U.S. division announced a voluntary recall involving certain 2007 through 2008 model year RAV4 and certain 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV SUVs sold in the States over potentially faulty air bag sensors. The Japanese company said approximately 214,000 RAV4s and 94,000 Highlanders and Highlander HVs are covered by the recall that does affect any other Toyota or Lexus models in North America.

Trapped Accelerator Pedals Come to Haunt Toyota and Lexus Again, 2.12 Million Vehicles Recalled in the USA

The Toyota Group may be off the hook over suspicions of unwanted sudden acceleration caused by software-driven throttles after the findings of the NHTSA-NASA study, but the Japanese automaker is once again making headlines over trapped accelerator pedals. Today, Toyota announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall of approximately 2.12 million vehicles in the United States to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in carpeting.
More specifically, Toyota is recalling approximately 20,000 Lexus GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles from the 2006-2007 model years to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver’s side floor carpet. According to the company, if the floor carpet is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, it is possible that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may jam against the accelerator pedal and keep it from returning to the idle position.

New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

2011 Toyota Highlander Facelift: US-Spec Model Unveiled and Priced, Hybrid Models gets New 3.5L V6

As some of you may recall, Toyota showed a redesigned version of its Highlander SUV at last month's Moscow International Motor Show. Today, the Japanese automaker released details and photos of the U.S.-spec model that will begin arriving at Toyota dealers from September 24.

Not surprisingly, the NA 2011 Highlander features the same styling updates as the model shown in Moscow. On the outside, the Highlander gets a new front fascia, hood and fenders, redesigned head lamps and tail lights, a re-trimmed rear bumper, as well as new alloy wheel designs and black rockers with chrome accents for the gasoline models.

For 2011, Toyota has further distinguished the Hybrid version that gains a unique front grille and bumper design plus color-keyed rockers with chrome accents, vertically stacked fog lamps and blue lens covers for the head lights.

Refreshed 2011 Toyota Highlander debuts in Moscow

Toyota's spruced-up 2011 Highlander crossover made its world premiere today at this year's edition of the Moscow International Motor Show. Though Toyota is keeping its cards closed, buyers in the States should see a US launch of the facelifted crossover later this year.

The 2011 Highlander's exterior benefits significantly from a much more crisp, defined nose and headlights, along with restyled tail lamps and new bumper trim at the back. The rest of the car appears to go on mostly unchanged for the new model year.

Russian and Ukrainian buyers get a single engine option, the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline unit pumping out 273HP, matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.

2009 Toyota Highlander Gets New 2.7-liter 4-Cylinder Engine

Toyota will expand its Highlander SUV line-up with the introduction of a new 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine that will be available in mid-to-late January 2009. When the Japanese firm launched the latest generation Highlander in 2007, it was offered with a 270HP 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine and a 270HP 3.3-liter V6 Hybrid powerplant. Toyota's new four-banger generates an output of 187HP at 5,800 rpm and 186 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,100 rpm and will be mated to an all-new six-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive transmission.


The entry-level Highlander's internal preliminary 0-60 mph testing was timed at 9.7 seconds while according to Toyota, EPA fuel economy estimates are 27 MPG highway, 20 MPG city and 22 MPG combined.

When it arrives in 2009, the two-wheel-drive model will feature an array of standard features that include among other things, air conditioning; an AM/FM/CD audio system with six-speakers; front seats with height-adjustable active head rests and eight-way adjustable driver's seat; power door locks and windows; cruise control; a multi-function keyless entry system and manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel; scheduled maintenance indicator light

Optionally, the Highlander can also be equipped with a third-row seat package, manual rear air conditioning, and an AM/FM/six-disc CD changer with satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA capability and six speakers.