Toyota Highlander HYBRID test drive

Ok, I just went down to the local Toyota Dealer and test drove the new Hybrid Highlander. It was the fully loaded 4X4 Limited with GPS

I must say I was extremely impressed with the space and the power that it had!!! The space reminded me of my Prius, only with a 3rd seat and trunk space.

Don't get me wrong, the Prius has enough power but you would be surprised what a 3 second 0-60 decrease makes, especially since the highlander is a relatively big SUV.

I can not believe Toyota did not include the SKS and bluetooth with the Highlander. I would really miss those features. I also didn't like how user friendly the control panel was. The Prius has me spoiled!! I really like the the geek factor/spaceshipy feel that Prius has, but for a more luxurious, more feel like car, the Highlander is right.

By the way, did I mention how much power this beast has??? Of course it doesn't get 50 mpg, but for V8 power, 31 mpg isn't too shabby.

Total MSRP??? 41K!

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. I have lots of answers.
Just my $.02 worth.

BitShifter01

Probably a good reason to wait for model year 2007 if you are in the market for a Hybrid SUV. I am sure Toyota will get lots of useful feedback and requests for the HyHi.

my neighbor got one last week and i was surprised that it had a normal looking interior. bit disappointed really.

one of these days i hope to get a ride in his. he is gone most of the time working on the road so he is hard to catch.

he still wont tell me what he paid for it...

While in for an oil change this weekend, I got some pricing info on the Highlander Hybrid:

2WD: $33,030
4WD-i: $34,430

Limited edition:
2WD: $37,890
4WD-i: $39,290

Navigation system: $2,000

All prices are MSRP. The dealer in northern VA is selling them for about $500-600 over MSRP.

The HiHy really is a drop-in to the existing vehicle. I test drove the demo unit at Boulder Toyota. I laughed when I saw the front crank pulley with room for two belts, but no belts mounted on it.

The car sure has cajones, though. I mean, WOW. I probably would have bought one on the spot if they had had any in stock.

I missed the bluetooth, smart key, steering wheel buttons, and other really cool Prius features. Also, the rear leg room was tight. The only thing this vehicle offers over the Prius is the third row and the all-wheel drive.

With an 18-24 month waiting list, I figured my odds were better for a Hybrid Sienna. Come on, Toyota! If you build it, we will come! (In droves!)

Nate

I'd never buy another vehicle without the SE/SS system. It's far, far too useful not to have.

I was also disspointed with the interior when I saw it at the local auto show. I have a feeling that Toyota is trying to "hide" the hybrid technology to some extent as to not frighten away older, more conservative customers with too many blinken lights.

Dave

gee Dave, i kinda got the same feeling. the inside is almost identical to the regular Hilander. complete with analog gauges. i want to flaunt the hybrid technology like the Prius does.

Bought a Highlander Hybrid LTD with all the bells and whistles for my wife. She fell in love with my pimped out prius (leather, sirius, seatback DVD etc) so I got her her own Hybrid.

Power is awesome, trim excellent (black with ash leather, DVD Nav etc). Gas mileage..... not so great. 21-24 city.

Admittedly its stillnew and they get better after a little driving but don't buy this one if yo u're looking for great mileage.

Nick

I went and test drove the Prius today and really liked it, the only problem I found was that it had no rear AC vents and it felt really hot in the back seat. I was originally going to buy the Lexus hybrid till I found out that the MPG was only slightly better than the non Hybrid version....hence I looked at the Prius, convinced that I would buy it. The deal breaker is the no rear AC b/c I have a 3 yr old who is always in the back seat, and does not like the wind blowing her hair all around. A hot cranky 3 year old is not pretty. So, now I am considering the Highlander...but according to the above post, the MPG on that are also WAY overstated. What is the deal? How can a Hybrid have nearly the same fuel economy as the nonhybrid versions? Are emissions also about the same???? Any help would be greatly appreciated. BTW, my main concern is getting off the teat of the oil mongers currently in control of this country, at least in theory....

I test drove the Lexus. Not including SE / SS on a decked-out luxury SUV really shocked me.

There was a HiHy at our local dealer, but by the time my wife and I could both get there, it was sold. Needless to say, we didn't get to drive it, but did get to play with the controls and inside/outside. (BTW, the nav system defeat works on it as well).

We were disappointed overall in the space, in that I could not even fit in the backseat and the third row was basically useless except for small people or kids. Plus with third-row seat up, there was little space for luggage. That, combined with the lack of SE/SS, the more conventional layout, and the price made us scratch it off our list.

We are with naterprius, bring on the hybrid Sienna!

In terms of the Hybrid getting the same MPG as the conventional, the EPA estimates are for comparison. So if someone is getting 7 mpg less in the city with the hybrid, they would probably be getting 7 mpg less in the city with the conventional.

Good point about the EPA comparison....I am scheduled to test drive the Highlander next week and will post my thoughts about it....I hope I love it.

my neighbor got a hihy and he isnt really disappointed in the mileage because he didnt figure it would be all that great. he is impressed with the power though. he tows a boat all the time with it and says it works just great even with the hihy and the boat loaded with gear.

and besides, its still a big leap from his other truck he had which got less than half the mileage he gets now.

We test drove one this afternoon. I was amazed at how little difference there was between the hybrid version and non-hybrid. A real key that you turn in the ignition but no good feedback to let you know it's on is a problem. The shifter was the same, too, including the PRND. The buttons controlling the screen were all in different places from the Prius. The third row of seats is a joke. It'll hold grocery bags well but no one with feet could sit back there and actually get out.

Husband liked the power, the 'put you back in the seat' acceleration. Dissapointed with no SKS but he is checking into buying one. Hope he's planning on driving it 'cuz I prefer the Prius.

BTW, a comparison on Edmonds says that the Prius has 16.1 cu.ft. of luggage capacity while the HiHy has only 10.5. Sounds a bit off to me.