Toyota is bringing an all-new, seven-seater SUV to the market in the form of the Highlander. It's a hybrid vehicle and it is due to land on these shores in early 2021.
Space on demand
Together with the existing C-HR and RAV4 models, and along with the forthcoming Yaris Cross which is also due to arrive in 2021, the Highlander expands both Toyota's hybrid offering and its SUV array.
The big SUV sits on the marque's GA-K platform and along with its petrol-electric drivetrain, it has an All-Wheel Drive-intelligent (AWD-i) system, a two-tonne-rated towing capacity and what Toyota calls space on demand. On this final score, it's a big old vehicle. The Highlander measures 4,950mm long and will sit on alloy wheels of up to 20 inches in diameter, while the Japanese company is claiming it's a true seven-seater (rather than what is often referred to as a '5+2') thanks to the second-row seating being able to slide backwards and forwards by up to 180mm, freeing up legroom as and where it is needed for various passengers.
Behind the seating compartment is a boot with 658 litres of stowage space (five-seat configuration), complete with underfloor storage and accessed by a powered tailgate. Pop down all the chairs in rows two and three of the vehicle, and the Highlander will swallow up to 1,909 litres of stuff. Further features of the interior include storage compartments throughout the cabin, power USB sockets in the first- and second-row seating areas, and an eight-inch centre-console touchscreen multimedia display - which controls the satnav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a JBL sound system and more. The Highlander will also enjoy a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated seats and a digital rear-view mirror, which uses a camera to display a wide rear image without the interruption of seat head-restraints or other passengers in the back of the SUV.
Combined output of 244hp
Powering the Highlander is a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine teamed up to a pair of electric motors, one at the front and one at the back. This gives the Toyota SUV its AWD-i set-up and the whole electrical system is powered by one of the marque's preferred nickel-metal hydride battery, which is stashed beneath the second row of seats.
Power is rated at 244hp, with CO2 emissions of just 146g/km and fuel economy of 6.6 litres/100km (42.8mpg). Those are WLTP figures, by the way, so if you want an NEDC-correlated set of stats to put the Highlander's economy into context, it would stand at 117g/km and 5.2 litres/100km (54.3mpg). Four driving modes cycle through Eco, Normal, Sport and Trail, while there's a separately switchable EV Mode for limited zero-emissions driving.
Toyota claims the seven-seat SUV has an acoustic windscreen and front glazing, as well as the use of extensive sound-deadening material in the roof, dashboard, floor, wheel arches and load-space liners, all of which ensure refinement is top-notch. The Highlander will also be equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of active-safety technologies, including Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Active Steer Assist, Pedestrian Detection (day and night), and Bicycle Detection (day only), as well as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Road-Sign Assist (RSA), Lane-Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane-Departure Alert (LDA) and Automatic High Beam.
'Strong addition to the range'
Steve Tormey, chief executive of Toyota Ireland, said: "We are delighted to announce the launch of the new seven-seater Highlander. The arrival of the purely self-charging SUV hybrid will offer families a comfortable and spacious way to travel while being eco-friendly, benefitting from lower CO2 and NOx emissions from hybrid technology, and of course providing excellent fuel efficiency. The Highlander is a strong addition Toyota's range and builds on Toyota's SUV heritage with no compromise on performance, comfort or style. We look forward to the arrival of the first-ever seven-seater hybrid SUV in 2021, as we continue to offer customers new models that contribute to cleaner air and a better environment for Irish families."
Irish prices and specifications for the Toyota Highlander Hybrid will be announced closer to its market launch next year, but for now customers can register their interest in the SUV flagship on the Toyota Ireland website.