Toyota Highlander Hybrid Rides Into The Sunset - But Was It Ever Worth The Extra $6K To Begin With?

Toyota Highlander Hybrid Rides Into The Sunset - But Was It Ever Worth The Extra $6K To Begin With?
The 2014 Toyota Highlander is now the third generation of Toyota's midsize SUVs. Toyota offers a four-cylinder, V6 and hybrid powertrain for buyers to choose from. Although many of its competitors offer four and six-cylinder options, the Highlander is one of only a handful of SUVs that can be selected with a more fuel efficient hybrid system. Besides the Lexus RX, which shares the Highlander's hybrid system, the only other midsize SUVs that offer a hybrid setup are the Nissan Pathfinder/ Infiniti QX60 models.

The 2014 Highlander Hybrid is powered by a 3.5L V6 and three electric motors that generate a total 280 horsepower. This means that the Highlander Hybrid is the most powerful version of the Highlander with 10 more horsepower than the standard V6 and 95 more horsepower than the base four cylinder. Even with the most horsepower on tap, the Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel efficient with a fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Compared to the all-wheel-drive Highlander V6, the Highlander Hybrid gets nine more mpg in the city and four more mpg on the highway.


 

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MattDarringerMattDarringer - 12/31/2013 11:24:17 AM
+2 Boost
28mpg highway is NOTHING to be thrilled about. Non-hybrid crossovers can already do that.


leejleej - 12/31/2013 12:03:49 PM
+3 Boost
Hybrids usually get fewer mpgs on the highway than in the city. This is the point of a hybrid...for people who do a lot of stop and go driving in town. If you do a lot of highway driving only, then, yes...a hybrid is a total waste of money.


zairnaimzairnaim - 12/31/2013 12:22:37 PM
+1 Boost
IT HASN'T BEEN DISCONTINUED! The base hybrid model is no longer offered, only the limited version is.


leejleej - 12/31/2013 1:51:45 PM
+1 Boost
Yes...I noted that the hybrid was NOT discontinued as the title of this article implies. One would think the author could have come up with a more positive heading based on these quotes alone:

This means that the Highlander Hybrid is the most powerful version of the Highlander with 10 more horsepower than the standard V6 and 95 more horsepower than the base four cylinder. Even with the most horsepower on tap, the Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel efficient with a fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Compared to the all-wheel-drive Highlander V6, the Highlander Hybrid gets nine more mpg in the city and four more mpg on the highway.


randy3023randy3023 - 1/1/2014 9:55:13 AM
0 Boost
Like all Hybrids and E-Vehicles, it suffers from the cost savings paradox:

Hybrids and E-Vehicles are priced $10k to $40k MORE than their petroleum-based equivalents, so...

WHERE ARE THE SAVINGS?


vdivvdiv - 1/2/2014 10:14:48 AM
+1 Boost
The other paradox is that they are considered equivalent with little regard to the big picture. They are all just cars with four wheels that go from point A to point B, right?


leejleej - 1/1/2014 1:36:14 PM
+2 Boost
You do exaggerate a bit...$10-$40k? There are several hybrids that are just $4k over. If you lease, without a down payment, you can easily justify a hybrid. It's best for people who live in an urban area and do not drive much...the more you drive, and the more highway miles you drive, then hybrid is not such a value. I do not know where you get a $40k price difference on an E-vehicle. Perhaps you could provide a specific example.
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