The 2008 Toyota Highlander comes in base, Sport and Limited trim levels, each with front- or all-wheel drive. The two Hybrid models are base and Limited, and both are offered only with all-wheel drive.
Highlander comes standard with air conditioning; cloth upholstery; three-row seating for up to seven passengers; a 40/20/40 second row seat with a removable center section that can be stowed under the first-row center console; a fold-flat third row; AM/FM/CD with six speakers and MP3; power windows, door locks, and mirrors; remote keyless entry; cruise control; variable intermittent wipers; rear defogger with variable intermittent wiper; rear spoiler; tilt/telescope steering wheel; and two front and one cargo-area 12-volt power outlets; fog lights; 245/65R17 tires on alloy wheels.
Hybrid models get Toyota's Smart Entry System that includes keyless entry and starting, a 3.5-inch multifunction display screen that includes a rear backup camera, a clock, tire-pressure display, air conditioning readout, and outside temperature and trip computer information, in addition to all the hybrid-related features. Also, base Hybrids come standard with two seating rows; the third row is optional.
Sport models add 245/55R19 tires, sport-tuned suspension, opening rear glass, a rear tonneau cover, cargo area levers to fold the second-row seats, and the multi-function display.
Limited models lack the Sport's sport-tuned suspension, but have all of its other features plus foldable power outside mirrors with puddle lamps, leather upholstery, 10-way power adjustable driver seat and four-way power front passenger seat, front dual-zone automatic climate control, and Homelink universal transmitter.
Limited Hybrid models add to base Hybrids 245/55R19 tires, opening rear glass, rear tonneau cover, power rear door, three-row seating, leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for the audio system and multifunction display, cargo area levers to fold the second-row seats, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat.
Options include leather upholstery, a navigation system, front dual-zone climate control, automatic rear air conditioning, heated front seats, upgraded JBL audio with nine speakers and a Bluetooth hands-free cell phone link, sunroof, power rear tailgate, rear DVD entertainment, and a towing package that gives the Highlander a 5,000-pound tow rating.
Safety features on all models include dual front airbags, front side-impact airbags for thorax protection, head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover all three seating rows, a driver's knee airbag, active front headrests, tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes, traction control, antiskid control, and hill-start assist. Hill descent control is standard on AWD models.