Does anyone know the towing capacity or the EPA estimates?

No but my dealer has a brochure , so maybe yours does too. Might have those specs in it.

We were going to buy a new Rav4 , but the wife drove in the Rav and then drove a new Highlander 07 and honestly there was no comparison with the ride quality and not feeling like you were driving in a mini , mini van. ( those were her words ) we might looking at picking up an 07 Highlander since they rebates and 0% are starting on them already to get them off the lot.

Since it's based on the same platform as the RX350 and unibody, I'm going to say 3500lbs.

they are advertising a 5,000# tow package which will be tops in the class of "car based suv/minivan" . Presumably this is for the non-hybrid model.

They've been running the rebates since the 2008 was announced. Personally, I'd wait for the 2008 in order to get the 3.5L V6 drivetrain that's in just about every other Toyota 6-cylinder product now. The 3.3L V6 was mated with a very quirky transmission that is over-biased toward fuel economy, which can make it think twice about accelerating sometimes if you don't completely stomp the gas pedal to the floor. Some software improvements have been made to the trans ECU over the years, which helped but didn't fully solve the problem IMO. A friend of mine has a new 2007 Camry (3.5L) and a 2004 Sienna (3.3L) with an ECU update, and he says the difference is clear in favor of the 3.5L.

On the flip side, the 3.5L uses an oil filter with a replaceable filter medium, rather than a simple one-piece disposable filter. It's something to be aware of if you change your own oil; of course, the dealer knows about it. Most third-party oil change places don't get it, though, so one more reason not to go there.

Back on point, the 2008 Highlander will tow 2000 lbs. without the factory towing package, or 5000 lbs. with the towing package.

That's from the 2008 Owners Manual, which is now available on TIS. I can't find any more details on exactly what the towing package is, but I would assume it's a factory hitch and a trans fluid cooler.

EPA estimate on the 2008 Hybrid is 27 city / 26 highway, according to an Edmunds Test Drive.

I can't find anything solid about the regular version... just that Toyota says the mileage is similar to the 2007 models, which is in the ballpark of 17/22. The Lexus RX 350, which is very similar in body style and weight with the same engine, also gets 17/22.

2008 pricing has been announced. See here: http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minis...hlander/pr.pdf

One might assume that, but the V6 4Runner tow package doesn't include a transmission cooler

I think that my wife's Highlander which has the tow package does indeed have a tranny cooler...so, hopefully, Toyota will continue this tradition.

But then again, the new 6-speed tranny for Camry and ES350 is far from perfect with tons of TSBs and unresolved issues. As it looks now, i don't think that it's any better than the old 5-speed in terms of relaiblity/durability. The only good thing is that it's performance aspect is better.

From what I've read, there were some problems with the NEW 6 speed auto that only affected a very small percentage of the first cars hitting the market and has since been corrected. I'd like to see some info on the "tons of TSBs and unresolved issues"!

Koz

I've found 3 TSB's for the 6-speed trans.

TC003-06 is merely informational. There's a compensation code stamped on the outside of the trans to help the learning program adjust faster to the specific trans. If you replace the trans or the trans ECU, you must enter the code into the ECU.

TC015-06 is for a Check Engine Light with code P2716 (indicating a solenoid problem). That's a false error, and there's a software update for the ECU. Production change date is around December 12, 2006.

TC007-07 is a software update for the ECU for rough shifting. Oh no - the 5-speed had that problem, too, but the software did fix it! Production change date is around May 17, 2007.

Interesting to note that it's also a "sealed" trans like the 4Runner.

I did not see your post until now...here are some (not complete list apparently):

TC001-06: Auto Trans - 1,000 RPM 3-4 Shift Flare
TC002-06: Auto Trans - Compensation Code Input Process
TC003-06: Auto Trans - U660E 6sp Torque Converter
TC004-06: Auto Trans - 3rd - 4th Gear Shift Flare
TC005-06: Auto Trans - U660E Solenoid Identification
TC006-06: Auto Trans - U660E 6sp Fluid Level Inspection
TC009-06: Auto Trans - Serial Number Location
TC010-06: Remanufactured Auto Trans Ser# Location

Here is the link to more TSBs about other ES350 stuff: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249766

Here is a poll of the problem: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250652

Here is a problem on a recent ES350: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289252

And here is a thread about the TSIB not working or creating other issues: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284028

Quotes:
"Since my transmission replacement and re-re-flash on my Camry I no longer have the cold flare, but do have intermittent 2nd-3rd and 3rd-4th and 4th-5th flares of varying degrees after the vehicle is fully warmed up. Some upwards of 500 RPM.

Although the severe cold flare is gone I consider this worse as it's unpredictable, alarming when it does occur, and next to impossible to reproduce at the dealer. I do have videos though."

"Yes, I totally agree with you that this could be worst than before. You are right on with what you're experiencing - I have the same issue on my end. It doesn't flare on the cold start but will do so at random during normal driving and can sometimes cause some very harsh shifts. My flares are usually in the 200rpm range so they're not as high as before. Nonetheless, any flaring at all in a 45K car is not acceptable to me."

"Mines' not fixed from the flash....pursuing buyback."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is that enough, Koz?? I can go on, but you guys get the idea....

Just visit CLUBLEXUS.COM (http://www.clublexus.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=180)...next, count how many threads on the 1st page are about the transmission and you will get an idea of the problem. I am shock that Koz did not check this out since he's on clublexus too. I would imagine that he would have researched this problem before giving an opinion on the topic...maybe i am too anal because i usually post things that i can backup readily with FACTS.

I wonder what the max hitch weight is on the 08 Highlander.

The Curb wt of the 4WD version is 4355 (Sport version), with a GVWR of 6000 lbs. That's more allowable cargo weight than the V8 4Runner.

The reason I mention this is because the cargo weight on car-based SUV's sometimes doesn't allow for the stated max towing weight. But in the case of the new Highlander, it seems to be more than fine.

Just an update on the ES/Camry transmission problem:
"I plan to wait until Toyota has a real fix (i.e., a revised transmission) and then will pursue a buyback. My theory is that most of the U660-equipped cars have the flare problem, but not everyone drives in such a way to trigger the flare or notices it. My '07 ES350 was mfd July 2007, and had minor flares from the start. Now that it's hit 2500 miles (1.5 months old), it flares ~800+ rpm several times after started. I traded in a 9-month old 2007 Camry V6 XLE that had serious flare problems even after getting a new transmission (and that was damaged in numerous ways by the mechanics), so I'm really torqued that the Lexus version has the same problem a year later. Toyota refused to buy back the Camry and I'm feeling foolish for entrusting this manufacturer with another purchase..."

Koz, care to comment?? It seems that your statement was a bit premature.