I think this dude probably had a problem with the regular Highlander and took it out on the hybrid. He really couldn't say anything bad (other than price) about it but just refuses to endorse it for some reason. He is a "CNN/Money staff writer", how he got assigned to review this is a mystery to me, but then again, he focal point of attach on the car was its price...
If you drive a hybrid and can't tell it's a hybrid, then it should be mission accomplished for the manufacturer.