I have a 2007 HH 4wi that my wife has taken, so now I rarely get to drive it. She loves the car and so do I, so the simple answer is just buy another 07 or get an 08. I have one problem. My camping trailer runs 3450 lbs and the 07 is rated 3500 lbs in my configuration with the factory hitch. So, that seems pretty tight to me for towing. I read the press release on the 08 on Toyota's site and it is ambiguous but implies that the 08's will be rated for 5000 lbs and will be 2 to 3 inches bigger all the way around. I would not mind both improvements. So after hounding my dealer (call us in September when they come out), hounding "ask Toyota" (it is still preproduction stage, no numbers yet), I figured I would toss this to the experts and ask if anyone else has updated numbers? I just sent an email to my dealer and asked to be put on the waiting list for the 08's for a 4wi (I guess they all will be).

When will the 2008 Highlander Hybrids come out and how much can they tow? The answer is 07/28/08 and 3500 lbs with 350 lbs tongue weight.

08/15/07 Update. The hitch will be a class 3 valley hitch.

As of 08/19/07 3 weeks to the 08's. Maybe soon we can order them.

As of 9/9/07 Broke down and bought a "gas" Sport Highlander. The Hybrids are delayed till October-November and could not wait.

I have read that it will have a towing capacity of 5000lbs. I'll look for that article and post it in here.

The more I read and think about the 08, the more I want to wait and get one. I figure if I'm making a 7-10 year purchase (and I want my next car to last this long), I should buy something I'll be 100% happy with rather than save a few bucks and restrict my capabilities (as in a CR-V, FEH/MMH, etc.)

I understand about the long term nature of the purchase. I buy cars for decades not years. Our Camry we turned in on the 07 was 19 years old and the 08 I will turn in my Blazer which is 15 years old. I figure the Highlanders for at least 15 years a piece.

I read the same press release on the highlander and the hybrid 2008. The problem was the way they worded it, it was hard to tell were they talking about both could tow 5000 lbs, or only the gas or only the hybrid. Thus the question.

Great cars, I truly love the 2007 we have.

When will the 2008 Highlander Hybrids come out and how much can they tow? The answer is 07/28/08 and 3500 lbs with 350 lbs tongue weight.

08/15/07 Update. The hitch will be a class 3 valley hitch.

As of 08/19/07 3 weeks to the 08's. Maybe soon we can order them.

As of 9/9/07 Broke down and bought a "gas" Sport Highlander. The Hybrids are delayed till October-November and could not wait.

The 07 HH could probably tow 5000#. I'm not recommending this, I merely saying this to point out that the 08 HH will tow just as well as the ICE version. The only thing stopping the 07' from towing #5000 has to do more with vehicle stability and braking power. The 08 has been improved in both those categories.