ACDC now owns a pristine Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 2007.
AWD is made with a Motor / Generator in the rear differential. No drive shaft, just 3 orange cables.
The medium sized Highlander Hybrid was first introduced in 2006, when the Ford Escape Hybrid was already on sale in the U.S. Broadly based on the Gen 1 Prius, adapted for the SUV’s larger V6 engine, teamed up with a 288 volt battery pack and optional AWD. As with the earliest Gen 1 Prius, the scan tool was changed for the SUV in 2008, from the former Vetronics Mastertech (which was acquired by Bosch) to the Toyota Techstream (developed in conjunction with Denso, one of Toyota’s key partners). The SUV has a 3.3L V6 power plant. It was not a LIVC (Atkinson cycle-like engine), but it did deliver 265-hp total system horsepower. Coupled with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, it also provided part-time all-wheel drive. The transmission presents service challenges to the untrained. In addition, the Highlander Hybrid fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg combined, lower than all other hybrid SUVs, and well below the 30 mpg rating of the more popular Ford Escape. Inverter issues affected early models as a mid-year change fixed the issue. Seating for 7 allows Deb and I to get the grand-kids (two) and friends for a fun Sunday afternoon.
