It seems strange that many of the most fuel efficient vehicles also tend to be the most plain. Indeed, often the best vehicles are also the ones that lack verve and racy good looks, as if the great car fairy in the sky hands out either appeal, or dependability -- and never both.

Such is life as a Highlander. Call it the silent assassin, for the Toyota Highlander has, for years, smothered the hopes of more exciting SUVs that have not quite lived up to its reliable reputation. It’s the perpetual best buy, the smart deal for SUV owners who want something that will last 10 years, that’s not too big, not too small – but just right for many, many people. Of course, there are those who prefer more style, those who prefer a little more verve than the Highlander offers. The Highlander wins its share of buyers, however, year after year. For the 2006 model, you can expect modest looks, a capable powertrain, a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder that achieves 24 combined miles per gallon (four-cylinder) and makes 155-horsepower. There’s also a V6, if fuel economy is not such an issue. Through the month of May, the Highlander also comes with a $1,000 rebate, or special financing. That's a decent deal on a sensible SUV that gets above average gas mileage.

Photos courtesy of the automakers