Toyota Highlander Hybrid Update and Hybrid Performance

Yesterday, I reported on a CNBC segment regarding hybrids. In that segment, the Toyota Highlander hybrid was the main focus, and the reporter noted that the Highlander hybrid would be released in March.

Originally, the Highlander hybrid was to be released at that time, but Toyota pushed that date back to June/July because of overwhelming demand. Well, the online version of yesterday's CNBC segment is now available, click here to see.

According to CNBC, the Toyota Highlander hybrid will hit the market in March. I am still in disbelief regarding this report; however, I am hopeful that it is actually correct.

The gist of the article noted that the new trend in hybrids is performance. The Honda Accord hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h hybrid, and the Highlander hybrid, the article points out, are the next generation of hybrids that are not just focused on fuel efficiency and pollution reductions, but on performance.

For example, each of the above hybrids are faster and more powerful than their conventional counterparts, going almost a second faster from 0 to 60.

The Highlander hybrid will be about 30 percent more fuel-efficient than the conventional Highlander. Toyota, the report states, could have made the Highlander hybrid even more efficient; however, Toyota didn't just want the most efficient Highlander, it wanted the best performing Highlander.

Click here for the complete CNBC article.