2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will be offered in four trim levels

The 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has received some styling and mechanical changes, as well as a reshuffling of trim levels.

4/14/16 5:00 am chumakdenis 1

The Japanese firm's largest hybrid crossover has received plenty of mid-cycle updates.

Debuting at the 2016 New York Auto Show, the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has received some styling and mechanical changes, as well as a reshuffling of trim levels.

The first thing that has to be mentioned is the brand-new 3.5-liter direct-injected V-6 engine that gives vehicle total system output of 280 horsepower.

The new V-6 will be teamed with an all-wheel drive version of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system used in the current Highlander.

In non-hybrid models, the V-6 is mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Toyota says this combination will also be offered in the 2017 Sienna minivan.

Maybe, for some of us it is not enough, but for most of the people, it’s more than enough.

Another thing that catches your eye is so-called “enhanced fuel efficiency" -- EPA-rated 27 mpg city, 28 mpg highway (28 mpg combined).

The vehicle doesn’t use a lot of gasoline and this fact makes you happy as a clam.

Is there anything else?

Of course, there is.

In addition to the new engine, the 2017 Highlander Hybrid has received two new trim levels, bringing the total to four.

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Lower-level LE and XLE models join the existing Limited and Platinum trims.

Also, the brand-new hybrid will get a revised front fascia that will be shared with all Highlander models.

Safety features

The Toyota Safety Sense bundle of safety features that first appeared on a number of 2016 Toyota models will also be offered across the 2017 Highlander lineup.

It includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, a pedestrian pre-collision system, and adaptive cruise control.

Price

Toyota hasn't released pricing information yet, but these new trim levels likely bring down the entry price of the only seven-seat hybrid SUV on the market.

Well, not that much, but at least it’s something.

Let’s wish Toyota good luck and hope that the company will make a hit with this vehicle –or, as as a bare minimum, will manage to start production on time (you know how rigorous are safety standards in the US).

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