I drove Toyota's $55,000 Highlander Hybrid. It's an efficient and well-made family SUV, but lacks power and space.

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

• The Toyota Highlander is one of the best-selling three-row family SUVs in the US.
• I was impressed by its efficient hybrid powertrain, well-designed cabin, and strong build quality.
• I was disappointed by its noisy engine, tepid performance, and limited passenger/cargo space.

For much of its existence, the Toyota Highlander was a unicorn as the only three-row, midsize family SUV available as a hybrid.