1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

HiHy vs RegHi

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by markabele, Jan 26, 2015.

  1. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm helping my parents research vehicles and they seem to really like the Highlander. However, I'm not sure they are convinced of the merits of going with the hybrid version. Anything you would recommend I tell them that might help sway them? (an environmental argument definitely wouldn't resonate with them) After doing the math it doesn't seem like the hybrid version would pencil out financially compared to equally furnished RegHi. Thanks for any input!
     
  2. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2013
    773
    228
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    New or used? Are you basing the payoff on current gas prices or likely future gas prices? Have they driven both? I personally can't stand a regular automatic transmission after the smoothness of my Prius (and Escape Hybrid before it). Manual is still my favorite, but not many hybrid options...
     
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,768
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Doesn't the US HiHy come with safety options not offered on the regular Highlander? (like DRCC/PCS)
     
  4. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    In general the Hybrid is a desirable higher end option that gives (HyCam for exmaple) more power and better driver ratings. It costs more, but you get a better car and it potentially pays for itself at least partially in fuel savings.

    I don't think they live in northern VA but if they did, there would be a helluva annual car tax on a HyHi so I don't think we see too many new ones, even though we are in an affluent region. You'd probably pay about 20% taxes here on a HyHi here if you kept it 8-10 yrs.
     
    #4 wjtracy, Jan 27, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i don't see the value, if not emissions and oil. especially in highway driving. test drive would help them understand the smoothness of the hybrid system and power.
     
  6. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    No, those come on the Platinum package on both versions.
     
    Tideland Prius likes this.
  7. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    New

    Even at $4 per gallon (live in midwest where gas on average is less than national average) it still wouldn't make sense from a purely financial standpoint.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    this is really a major reason why alternative fuel vehicles are only 3-4% of the market. most people are looking purely at economics, which makes sense. sorry to sidetrack mark!
     
  9. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Ya, it's a tough sell. I mean, it's not like they are against being green or anything like that. They just think like the vast majority of Americans, and to be honest, a lot of us on here.
     
  10. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2012
    477
    302
    6
    Location:
    Tropical Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I am very happy with our used highlander hybrid purchase, I found the hybrid premium was very low on used compared to new.
     
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Not to mention power house in emerg option
     
  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,595
    11,216
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Depending on whether you you want to power the entire house or just the essential, a non-hybrid can do the job.
     
  13. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    1,391
    543
    0
    Location:
    Santa Monica, Ca. 90405
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I think all Highlander Hybrids are 4 wheel drive, don't know about gas powered models.
     
  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,595
    11,216
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    The first gen HiHy and all the RX hybrids have a 2WD version. Same with the gas ones. The OP didn't mention towing, but in order to tow with the hybrids, Toyota only lists a capacity with the 4WD models.