J. Buchman 
2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV Limited Platinum 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Great MPG and Comfortable, but Overpriced
 Before purchasing my 2017 Highlander Hybrid Platinum, I owned the RAV4 Hybrid...so I am very familiar with Toyota's Hybrid SUVs.  I moved up to the Highlander because I wanted/needed a larger vehicle to accommodate my family.  In sum...while this is a very efficient and comfortable SUV, it falls short in some very important categories.  First, the positives:  Obviously, as you'd expect from a Toyota Hybrid, this SUV gets phenomenal gas mileage for a 5,000 pound automobile.  If I drive slowly in "Eco" mode (Eco mode adjusts throttle mapping to give the driver more control over acceleration), I can achieve 34 mpg.  If I drive "normally" (re: not slowly), I get around 31 mpg.  Other positives:  The seats, both front and rear, are very comfortable.  Seat heaters and seat ventilation works well.  The second row has heated captains chairs, separated by a cup holder.  The climate control system works well, including the ability to adjust temperature in the rear of the vehicle.  I was disappointed that the Highlander Hybrid does not come with LED headlights or fog lights, but nevertheless, the lights do a nice job of illuminating the road at night...and, having "auto-brights" is a nice feature (auto high beams will turn off automatically when it senses a car approaching in front of you).  There is ample storage space in the rear of the vehicle (if you fold down the 3rd row).  Cruise control works well...and the Nav system, while antiquated, is accurate and easy to use.  Acceleration is pretty good for a hybrid, but, as is typical of all CVT transmissions, when you accelerate, the engine revs like it's about to explode.  The AWD system (the rear wheels are driven by an independent electric motor that kicks in when the front wheels sense slippage) does a good job adding traction in light snow, but is not designed to handle off-road driving.  OK, now the negatives:  The car generally handles the road like it's sitting on bicycle wheels.  There is noticeable roll when turning into corners, the electric steering has no feel for the road whatsoever, and the regenerative braking system is sloppy at higher speeds.  To say this car is "not sporty" is an understatement.  It is simply incapable of performing well if driven in any sort of spirited manner.  The JBL sound system is astonishingly poor.  After just a couple of months of owning the car, the subwoofer and one of the front tweeters blew out (and I do not push the volume when I listen to music).  That's simply unacceptable for a car in this price range.  Ultimately, I believe the Highlander's overall performance and refinement is simply below average for an SUV in its price range.  In my opinion, there are other SUVs available, for the same price, which offer significantly better road performance, more sophisticated AWD systems, and higher quality/more modern interior design.