2021 Toyota Highlander [EU]

Toyota's largest SUV, the Highlander, is to go on sale throughout Western Europe for the first time in early 2021. With 23-years' experience in the development of hybrid technology, more than 16 million hybrid customers, 9 hybrid models and 4th generation self-charging, full hybrid powertrains offering up to 80% zero-emission driving, Toyota has combined its hybrid leadership with its legendary QDR and extensive experience in the SUV market to create the Highlander Hybrid. Available exclusively with a full hybrid powertrain, the Toyota Highlander joins the D-segment RAV4, the C-segment C-HR and the forthcoming B-segment Yaris Cross to complete Toyota's comprehensive European SUV model line-up. Reinforcing the company's leadership in full hybrid technology, this establishes Europe's largest hybrid SUV line-up, with 91% of RAV4, 98% of C-HR, an anticipated 95% of the forthcoming Yaris Cross and 100% of Highlander sales being hybrid variants in Western Europe. Thus far, the electrification of E-segment SUVs has tended to focus on Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) technology. Despite the benefits of PHEV technology, customers in this segment tend to travel longer distances with a greater percentage of motorway mileage and may tend to suffer from electric range shortage. With Highlander self-charging Hybrid powertrain and an electric cruising speed of up to 125km/h, Toyota Highlander Hybrid efficiently meets the segment's customer needs. Benefitting from Toyota's TNGA-K platform architecture, the Highlander is big on space but efficient on emissions. It combines all the large Toyota SUV attributes of 7-seat space on demand, comfort, driveability and safety with an exceptionally quiet, all-wheel drive 248 DIN hp hybrid powertrain offering excellent fuel efficiency from 6.6 l/100 km and CO2 emissions as low as 149g/km - a segment-best power-to-CO2 balance for a non-plug-in car.

DRIVING DYNAMICS

The Highlander's fourth-generation full hybrid powertrain combines a 2.5 litre Atkinson cycle Hybrid Dynamic Force petrol engine with front and rear electric motors -the rear motor equipping Toyota's SUV with AWD-i (All-Wheel Drive-intelligent)- and a powerful Nickel-Metal Hydride system battery located under the second row of seats. The fourth-generation hybrid powertrain equips the Highlander with smooth, powerful acceleration on demand, the ability to cruise on all-electric power at up to 125 km/h, and a two tonne towing capacity. Total system power of 248 DIN hp equips the Highlander Hybrid with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.3 seconds, and a maximum speed of 180 Km/h. WLTP cycle average fuel consumption starts at 6.6 l/100 km, while CO2 emissions as low as 149g/km represent the best power-to-CO2 balance for non-plug-in in the segment. A Drive Mode Select switch enables the driver to select a choice of ECO, NORMAL, SPORT and TRAIL driving modes. All four modes may be used when the vehicle is operating in the separately-switchable EV mode. Boasting world-class thermal efficiency of 41%, the four-cylinder, 16 valve, DOHC 2,487cc D-4S engine features both direct cylinder fuel injection and port injection. The injection method is changed according to driving conditions in order to optimise output and fuel efficiency. A Dual VVT-i system with VVT-iE (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Electric) on the intake side, in which valve timing is controlled by an electric motor rather than oil pressure, enhances output and fuel efficiency whilst lowering emissions. A long bore-and stroke ratio and an innovative variable cooling system combine to further improve overall engine efficiency and fuel economy. The fourth-generation hybrid system features a smaller, lighter transaxle than its predecessor, in which a dual axis structure adopted for the motor and generator achieves a low loss gear train with a smaller overall width. This parallel axis structure both increases the motor's rotation speed and reduces its size. The gear ratio has been optimised to promote maximum fuel efficiency and dynamic performance. Allied to gear tooth surface polishing, the new gear structure further suppresses resonance and operation noise, making the hybrid drive system quieter in operation than ever before.

SAFETY

The new Highlander Hybrid is equipped with the latest range of 'Toyota Safety Sense' active safety technologies, designed to help prevent or mitigate collisions across a wide range of traffic situations. The Highlander's Toyota Safety Sense package includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with day and night pedestrian detection and daytime bicyclist detection, Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Road Sign Assist (RSA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Automatic High Beam (AHB) and Road Sign Assist (RSA). Several new features have been added to the Pre-Collision System (PCS). They include daytime front-to-front oncoming vehicle detection; Emergency Steering Assist (ESA) linked to daytime pedestrian and cyclist detection; and Intersection Turn Assistance. Additional driver support and safety enhancing systems include Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Curve Speed Reduction, and an improved Lane Trace Assist (LTA) system.

Updated Pre-Collision System (PCS)

When the PCS automatically activates Pre-Collision Braking during the possibility of a collision with a pedestrian, cyclist or another vehicle, Emergency Steering Assist (ESA) is simultaneous activated. The ESA function offers steering support in the form of additional torque when the driver makes a sudden swerve to avoid the obstacle, helping enhance vehicle stability. After collision avoidance, ESA will offer deviation restraint to prevent the vehicle leaving its own lane. Intersection Turn Assistance provides a warning and automatic braking if the driver turns left or right in front of an oncoming vehicle in the opposite lane, or a pedestrian crossing the road from the opposite direction after the turning.

Full Range Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Curve Speed Reduction

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid's ACC system features steering wheel-mounted switchgear for maximum ease of operation whilst driving, Turn signal-linked Control, a Road Sign Assist (RSA) link and a Curve Speed Reduction function. If the turn signal on the overtaking lane side is operated while ACC is activated Turn signal-linked Control, preliminary acceleration is applied within the current lane to shorten the distance to the preceding vehicle in preparation for changing lanes. After changing lanes, the preliminary acceleration continues, slowly accelerating to the preset vehicle speed when the vehicle returns to constant speed driving. The RSA link enables the ACC vehicle speed setting to be easily reset in accordance with a changing speed limit. And Curve Speed Reduction will slow the vehicle when it determines that the vehicle speed needs to be suppressed during a curve.

Lane Trace Assist (LTA)

With greater capabilities than the current Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Lane Trace Assist (LTA) provides uninterrupted support for smooth driving even on motorways with frequent curves and in heavy traffic congestion. When the system judges that there is a possibility of the vehicle's deviating from its current lane, in addition to activating the LDA function it will also apply force to the steering in order to assist the driver in avoiding lane departure. Whilst ACC is activated, a Lane Centering function assists the driver with some of the steering necessary maintaining a central position in the current lane. Additional improvements to the LTA system include a faster reactivation time after a lane change; an increased counter steer angle to contrast air turbulence when overtaking big trucks and give more straight line stability; earlier notice of a curve radius ahead to acute for the system to cope with; and increased steering wheel force in order to keep LTA active at higher vehicle speeds.

Rear Seats Occupant Alert

A relevant safety function is the Rear Seats Occupant Alert, where sensors placed in all the rear seats (second and third rows) notify in case one the seats is still occupied.