Toyota is emphasizing flexible capacity, attractive styling, improved performance, exceptional safety and tolerable fuel economy as it rolls out its second generation Highlander sport utility vehicle.

Of the six SUVs in the Toyota fleet, Highlander is the best selling.

Positioned between the compact RAV-4 and the mid-size 4-Runner, the Highlander is a “crossover,” a sport utility body on a car chassis.

In this case, the chassis is that of the best-selling car in the nation, the Camry. The 2008 Highlander is nearly 4 inches longer and 3 inches wider than the 2007 model, with an inch more ground clearance and three inches of additional wheelbase.

With standard seating for five, Highlander can be optionally equipped to seat seven.

Only one engine is offered for 2008, the 3.5-liter V6, whose 270 horses outpower the preceding V6 by 55. Gone is the modest 4-cylinder engine.

Despite the increase in power, Toyota said fuel economy should match that of last year’s engine: 17 miles per gallon in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. With the five-speed automatic transmission and 19.1 gallons in the tank, that translates to a range of 324.7 miles in the city and 439.3 miles on the highway.

That’s not great, but it’s not as bad as many SUVs. If you want a greener engine, wait for the hybrid version arriving in September. The Highlander Hybrid Synergy Drive system has been retooled for 2008, providing the same 270 horsepower as the conventional engine while improving fuel economy to 31 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. Hybrids are more fuel-efficient in the city than on the highway.

Appearing in showrooms this month, the Highlander will be sold in Base, Sport and Limited trim.

You can also choose 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive. Prices range from $27,300 to $34,150.

Standard safety features include seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three rows. Other features include anti-lock disc brakes, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution and enhanced stability control.

All models except the base version get a backup camera that shows the rearview with a multi-information screen. You don’t have to order the optional navigation system to get the backup camera and screen.

Highlander will be the first Toyota with both active head restraints and a new hood and fender system designed to crumple on impact with a pedestrian.

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