# Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013: Test Drive Results - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/toyota-highlander-hybrid-2013-test-drive-results/ - Published: 2014-01-14T15:23:58-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy #### 󠀁[⌊Front shot Toyota Highlander hybrid⌉⌊Front shot Toyota Highlander hybrid⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊Wood interior on Toyota Highlander hybrid limited 2013⌉⌊Wood interior on Toyota Highlander hybrid limited 2013⌉󠀁[ ## Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013 Given that my wife’s car is a Toyota Highlander I was psyched to try the Hybrid 2013.  For it was a pleasure to test drive the Toyota Highlander hybrid 2013 EV version of the car. Especially the fact we test drive the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited version which is plush as can be with all the bells and whistles. I like that it’s assembled at Toyota’s Motor Manufacturing Princeton, Ind., facility, the Highlander is a three-row crossover that offers a choice between four-cylinder and V6 power, front-wheel drive (FWD) and full-time four-wheel drive (4WD). The Highlander Hybrid got 32 mpg city/28 mpg highway. ### Highlander Hybrid V6 The available 3.5-liter V6 (standard on SE and Limited) produces 270 horsepower at 6,200 RPM and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 RPM. The V6 is also equipped with dual VVT-i and a variable intake manifold. A five-speed, electronically controlled automatic transmission (ECT) offers selectable manual sequential shifting. The Highlander Hybrid model’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system had a V6 gasoline engine with a high-torque electric drive motor-generator for total system output of 280 net horsepower. The 4WD Highlander Hybrid uniquely generates rear-wheel power with a separate electric motor that provides additional drive torque on demand. Thus, the Highlander Hybrid 4WD-i system does not require power-transfer gearing or a driveshaft from the front. The system electronically varies front and rear torque distribution depending on traction conditions. ### EV Mode on the Toyota Highlander 2013 Activating an EV-mode switch located on the front center console allows the driver to operate strictly in electric-mode under certain conditions for a limited distance at low speeds, or in some stop-and-go driving conditions. Furthermore, an ECON drive-mode switch activates a throttle-control program. This program adjusts the throttle response during acceleration, enhancing fuel economy. The Hybrid System Indicator in the instrument gauge panel provides the driver with a guideline.  All to help optimize fuel consumption. ### Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2913 Premium Package The [2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited](https://greenlivingguy.com/2013/10/test-drive-results-2013-lexus-gs-450h/) came with the Leather Premium Package. Let’s also include a power tilt/slide moon roof; leather-trimmed front and second-row seats and leatherette-trimmed third-row seat; multi-stage heated front seats. Plus HomeLink® universal transceiver; auto- dimming rear-view mirror; leather-trimmed steering wheel with metallic accents and Bluetooth voice controls; leather-trimmed, chrome-accented shift lever with metallic inlay; metallic interior trim, and an engine immobilizer added to the security system. Finally a New standard on the [Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/green-environments-with-natural-elements-report-better-worker-productivity/). So for starters, the Display Audio system integrates Navigation and the Toyota Entune multi-media system. The steering wheel gains controls for the audio, Multi-Information Display and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability. In addition and to that, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013 Limited grade adds the JBL® Premium Audio system. Furthermore  automatic climate control for the rear seating. As well as offering perforated leather seating surfaces. ### **Awards awards awards** The Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013 garnered category honors back in March. Because it became as part of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Cars for Families awards. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2013 won the Best Hybrid SUV for Families award for the third year in a row. The Best Cars for Families awards combine quality, size and family-friendly features into a composite score. Quality is measured using a weighted average of scores from the [U.S. News rankings](https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/toyota/highlander-hybrid/2013) at the time the awards are published. The rankings compare cars on the basis of safety, reliability and a consensus of automotive critics’ opinions. Finally, size is based on a vehicle’s seating capacity and interior space. In conclusion and for family-friendly features, the U.S. News editors factor in the availability of features deemed to be helpful to families. #### 󠀁[⌊Passenger side Toyota Highlander hybrid⌉⌊Passenger side Toyota Highlander hybrid⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊Rear passenger seats 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited⌉⌊Rear passenger seats 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊Control sound and air in back seat area on Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited⌉⌊Control sound and air in back seat area on Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊Back seat view of front seats Toyota Highlander Hybrid Electric Limited Edition 2013⌉⌊Back seat view of front seats Toyota Highlander Hybrid Electric Limited Edition 2013⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-104919.jpg⌉⌊20140114-104919.jpg⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊Toyota Highlander hybrid limited has JBL speakers⌉⌊Toyota Highlander hybrid limited has JBL speakers⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊Hybrid synergy drive⌉⌊Hybrid synergy drive⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-105000.jpg⌉⌊20140114-105000.jpg⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-105012.jpg⌉⌊20140114-105012.jpg⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-105024.jpg⌉⌊20140114-105024.jpg⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-105035.jpg⌉⌊20140114-105035.jpg⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-105128.jpg⌉⌊20140114-105128.jpg⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-105107.jpg⌉⌊20140114-105107.jpg⌉󠀁[ #### 󠀁[⌊20140114-105056.jpg⌉⌊20140114-105056.jpg⌉󠀁[ ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)