
TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota on Monday announced prices on its redesigned 2008 Highlander Hybrid SUV, saying the top-of-the-line model will get a price increase of $3,400 for a starting price of $40,635, including a $685 destination charge. The base 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid will start at $34,385, including shipping.
The 2008 Highlander Hybrid will arrive in showrooms in October.
For the new model year, the Highlander Hybrid gets stretched and rides on a new chassis derived from the current Camry and Avalon. It is nearly 4 inches longer and 3 inches wider, and has 3 inches of additional wheelbase compared with the outgoing Highlander Hybrid. The 2008 Highlander Hybrid Limited gets such standard equipment as leather-trimmed seats, a power rear door, AM/FM/six-disc in-dash CD changer, 19-inch alloy wheels, foglamps and a third-row bench seat.
A stand-alone backup camera with a 3.5-inch screen and push-button start are standard equipment on both trim levels. All models get seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag. The base and Limited models are powered by a 270-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 and have four-wheel drive.
What this means to you: Be prepared to shell out considerably more cash if you want the new Toyota Highlander Hybrid with all the bells and whistles.