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Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG-Real World Numbers

423 messages,  Last post on Feb 03, 2010 at 1:36 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), SUV


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#313 of 423
Another HH mileage report by abeer
Jul 01, 2007 (7:56 am)
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2006/6964A HH 4WD-i V6.
Bought June 1, 2006
Odometer now has 10595 miles.
According to my glovebox log book,
we've put in 448.5 gals into the SUV.
Calculates out to 23.6 mpg.
Mostly rural city type driving.
Sticker numbers in very large
eye-catching font says 31 city and 27 highway.
I'm a little disappointed in the results.
#314 of 423
Re: Another HH mileage report [abeer] by stevedebi
Jul 02, 2007 (1:54 pm)
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"Mostly rural city type driving. "
 
Huh? That is two different driving cycles.
 
Have you attempted the various gas saving techniques?
#315 of 423
Re: Another HH mileage report [stevedebi] by abeer
Jul 02, 2007 (5:02 pm)
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Replying to: stevedebi (Jul 02, 2007 1:54 pm)

I tried unsuccessfully to describe my city, population of about 15,000 as rural. The drive home to work might be 7 miles. I chose "city" driving as opposed to "highway" driving as the our driving characteristics. We are near 30 miles away from a true highway.
Many of the gas saving techniques are practiced as much as possible. I'm under the belief that "conservative" driving should be all that is needed to attain "near" EPA specs. Please don't be offended, but anything more then that, seems to me, like needing to jump through hoops. I'd rather just relax and drive.
#316 of 423
Another HH Mileage Report by rodonnell
Jul 09, 2007 (12:58 pm)
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2007 HH Limited 4WDi. Took delivery on March 17, 2007. Currently at 15,600 miles. Have been getting 25-26 MPG. Nearly all miles are in the left lane on I-95 between Washington DC and Richmond at 80 MPH. No issues, love the car.
#317 of 423
Re: Another HH mileage report [abeer] by stevedebi
Jul 10, 2007 (11:52 am)
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Replying to: abeer (Jul 02, 2007 5:02 pm)

"The drive home to work might be 7 miles. "
 
That is most likely your problem. Hybrids are very sensitive to short trips - the engine has to warm up the catalytic converter, and thus it runs all the time. For longer trips the hybrid components have more effect.
#318 of 423
Re: Another HH Mileage Report [rodonnell] by stevedebi
Jul 10, 2007 (11:54 am)
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Replying to: rodonnell (Jul 09, 2007 12:58 pm)

"Nearly all miles are in the left lane on I-95 between Washington DC and Richmond at 80 MPH. "
 
I owned a 2003 Honda CR-V; 26 MPG 80 MPH is exactly what I always registered.
 
I think the hybrid is not as useful at highway speeds...
#319 of 423
Re: Another HH Mileage Report [stevedebi] by cdptrap
Jul 10, 2007 (12:40 pm)
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Replying to: stevedebi (Jul 10, 2007 11:54 am)

I think we need to compare Apples to Apples.
 
The 2007 HH is a mid-size V6 SUV that weighs 4200+ lbs. It has emission rating of SULEV II or EPA grades or 7,9 (higher is better). It can haul 3500-lbs. For the speedster-owners, it can accelerate like a bat out of <censored>. Yet, this owner can get 26-MPG.
 
The Honda CRV is a small SUV using a 4-cyclinder small engine. The 2007 version scored a 6,7 respectively from EPA. Not bad for the CRV but still 1,2 points less than the HH, a gas-electric vehicle in a larger class.
 
So in terms of ability to do more work, carry more load, cargo volume, MPG and emission, the gas-electric is still a better engine choice.
 
As for hybrids being not as useful at highway speeds, that is not always true. I see this generalized claim a lot but no one has stated clearly what is considered useful in contrast?
 
Even in the first generation HH, the V6 2006 HH, the battery turns ON to assist in keeping our HH cruising along at 65-MPH. When it does that, the mileage (intermediate) shoots up anywhere from 35-45 MPG. If there is a head wind, it may drop to 30-MPG. If there is a tail wind, it will reach 45-MPG easily. This is most apparent whenever we drive the flat stretch of HWY 101 south of San Jose all the way to San Juan Bautista, about 30+ miles. If I only commute on that stretch everyday, I am sure to easily get 30-MPG average on our HH.
 
To be more specific, I can drive at speed limit from San Jose to Watsonville via 85->101->129 and back and get an intermediate MPG of 26. If I am the only person in the car, no gear and I drive 60 on 85+101 and 55 on 129, then I have been able to get 27+ MPG.
 
As of today, July 2007 , there is NO OTHER V6 SUV in the mid-size class, with the same engine performance characteristics, that can match that MPG number, have the same emission rating, driving those very same freeways.
 
With the 2008 HH coming this fall, the ECON mode gets the MPG up to 28-MPG. I will love to see FORD, GM, Mercedes, BMW, Hyundai or whoever put out a car in that same class, with the same performance, getting the same 28-MPG and the same SULEV II rating.
 
Gas-Electric is just one engine choice, like diesel, diesel-electric, gas or biodiesel. They each have advantages and disadvantages. For a car as big as the HH, until someone can point to a specific example, citing specific test results, the only cleaner and more efficient engine choice currently in production is gas-electric.
#320 of 423
My MPG by jaredjo
Jul 10, 2007 (2:23 pm)
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I have owned my 2007 HH since March and am compelled to write now since the last post reflects where I live. I love the car and am happy with most everything, but I must say, my mileage is 21-22, no matter what. Hwy or city, a/c or not, trying to "feather" or not, I am stuck at around 22. I wonder how everyone is doing better. I should mention that mine is 4WD so maybe that makes a difference. Any comments/thoughts would be appreciated.
#321 of 423
Averaging 28MPG by mmccloskey
Jul 10, 2007 (3:17 pm)
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Greetings all:
 
I've had my 2007 HH FWD Limited w/Nav for a bit over 3 months now. My average MPG over that time has been just a bit over 28mpg. Mostly rural/highway driving w/maybe 10% city traffic (Charlottesville, VA). My best mpg was 29.8 and my worst has been 26.1. I calculate manually as the onboard cpu seems a bit generous in its numbers. I attribute that 26.1mpg to being a bit aggressive with the go pedal too frequently. The 29.8 mpg figure was when I first got the car and was driving very conservatively and not using the AC. Not sure why the AC would affect mpg as it runs off the batteries but maybe the ICE must run more frequently to keep the Batteries up due to AC use.
 
Not sure why some of the other HH owners are stuck in the low 20's - maybe its the fuel formula that is used in different regions of the country for environmental reasons.
 
All in all, I am quite pleased with my HH. Very comfortable and quiet, impressive fit/finish and great mpg for such a good-sized vehicle. The 2008 model has a few features I like but I am guessing the price will be at least 40K for a similarly equipped 2007 HH.
 
BTW, I changed the oil in the HH last week. A very easy task as long as you have a cup-type oil filter wrench that fits over the end of the filter. There is even a little drain pan right under the filter! This allows the runoff to drain right into the drain pan I placed under the car and not all over the engine or nearby components. No muss, no fuss - the cleanest oil change I've done yet.
 
Regards - M. J. McCloskey
#322 of 423
Re: Another HH Mileage Report [cdptrap] by stevedebi
Jul 11, 2007 (12:43 pm)
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Replying to: cdptrap (Jul 10, 2007 12:40 pm)

"The 2007 HH is a mid-size V6 SUV that weighs 4200+ lbs. It has emission rating of SULEV II or EPA grades or 7,9 (higher is better). It can haul 3500-lbs. For the speedster-owners, it can accelerate like a bat out of <censored>. Yet, this owner can get 26-MPG."
 
If you will check the interior dimensions for the Gen 2 CR-V, I think you will find them comparable to the (pre 2008) HH. Granted, you don't want to tow with a CR-V (max 1500 lbs). However, that CR-V is available at a far lower actual out-the-door cost than the HH. And the Honda has a simpler engine / drivetrain - it will still be going strong in 10 years, no concerns about the traction battery or electrical motors.
 
To each his own, of course. As you note, they are different breeds. However, (as I note), for my comparison of Gen 2 vs pre-2008 HH, for basic transportation and capacities they perform a similar function.

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