[ĐÁNH GIÁ XE] Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2021 – Engine replacement, is it really right?

Last year, Toyota launched a new generation of the Highlander SUV model with a completely different design style than the previous version launched in 2014. However, the design formula of the Toyota Highlander 2021 basically remains the same with its core values.

However, there is one big change worth mentioning in the launch of the 2021 version. That is the switch from a V6 engine to a 4-cylinder on the Toyota Highlander Hybrid variant.

Hybrid variants

Toyota Highlander Hybrid appears with 4 main versions including: LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum. However, technically, Platinum is only considered an additional equipment package worth 2,300 USD (~ 53 million VND) for the Limited variant. However, Toyota still decided to attach the Platinum badge to the Highlander and consider it a completely independent version.

The starting price of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum 2021 in the US market is 48,465 USD (~ 1.12 billion VND). The Platinum version mentioned in the article is priced at 58,120 USD (~ 1.34 billion VND), including shipping fees and a number of other optional equipment packages.

With the Platinum variant, Highlander will receive a series of very useful equipment features such as wireless charging for smartphones, built-in remote garage door opener, Bird’s Eye View Camera system to support wider visibility for the driver, navigation, 11-speaker JBL sound system, 4 USB ports, captain’s chairs in the second row and many modern safety technologies.

Hybrid powertrain with 4-cylinder engine, is it right and enough?

The hybrid powertrain is something that Toyota is very familiar with, and of course it has clearly demonstrated its practical ability to operate on many previous models. However, in the case of the Highlander, the driving experience this car brings is still not “good enough”.

The biggest problem that many people have probably realized is that Toyota changed its approach with the Highlander Hybrid. Instead of combining hybrid technology with a 3.5L V6 engine as usual, the Japanese automaker decided to use a completely new 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. The effectiveness of the combination of hybrid technology and 4-cylinder engine is indisputable. But that’s for smaller car models, in the lower segment. While the Toyota Highlander is a big SUV, where the 4-cylinder engine doesn’t seem to be able to bring some magic.

With a 2.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine combined with 2 electric motors mounted on each axle, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid produces a total maximum capacity of 243 horsepower and maximum torque of 357 Nm. These numbers are enough for a mid-sized SUV like the Toyota Highlander to serve daily travel needs. However, it seems that with the amount of money up to nearly 60,000 USD, customers have the right to expect something more refined.

Let’s not talk about the actual experience and driving feeling that the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2021 with its not so outstanding 4-cylinder engine under the hood brings. The biggest advantage any hybrid variant offers is definitely fuel economy. Toyota estimates the Highlander Hybrid consumes about 6.7L per 100 km of mixed driving. In fact, this number is up to 8.1L/100km with the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid mentioned in the article. Although this consumption level is not too bad, it is not as optimal as what Toyota previously announced.