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New Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owners - Give Us Your Report

142 messages,  Last post on Jul 17, 2009 at 9:14 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Car Buying, SUV


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#69 of 142
Got mine!! by redeft
Aug 02, 2006 (7:51 am)
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I got mine on Monday evening(7/31). Only glitch found was the key for factory installed wheel locks(some come with them and some don't)didn't fit. Salesman took care of the problem within 20 minutes and we were happily on our way, with a coupon for a free oil change. All in all a great deal. Worked with fleet manager and got invoice for the base AWD with the AF package. We didn't opt for the extended warranty and weren't offered any other BS. We also got $7800 for our '99 4-Runner(a little low but better than I expected). I wrote a check for just over $25K, I kept looking over my shoulder expecting to get picked up for auto theft. So far we love it, will post mpg after several tanks.
#70 of 142
Re: New Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner by gowhitten
Aug 11, 2006 (9:50 pm)
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Replying to: pf_flyer (Jul 31, 2006 1:35 pm)

Basically the HH is pretty good. I am getting 26 to 28 mpg if I take it easy. I have V8 Explorers for many years (they were good to me - never broke down) and since my goal was to get double the gas mileage - and I did that with the first tank of gas! Now we will need to see if the HH will last 100K!
 
What is with all these wimps saying all the HH needs is a 4 cylinder engine? With all the stupid BMW 330i drivers around here (Seattle area) it is nice to have a vehicle that can keep up with them and thwart their insane lane changing. It cruises nicely well above the speed limits and is pretty quiet.
 
The NAV system is OK - not as good as my daughter's Honda - and the JBL sound system is OK if you replace the JBL speakers (try the Focals). Some moron engineer made the cover over the drinkholders open backwards - should open left to right instead of vica versa - and the fold down armrests are pretty wimpy.
 
There is a major flaw with the rear liftgate - it develops creases on either side of the chrome plate across the back. I asked the service manager at the dealership about it and he said he had never heard anyone else mention it, but I do not believe him since I have seen the same thing on 4 other HHs - including 2 from the same dealer. I guess I will have to go directly to Toyota on this issue and see what they will (or won't) do for me.
#71 of 142
My wife loves her HiHy! by cruisenatl
Aug 12, 2006 (2:44 pm)
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We just recently bought a 2006 Highlander Hybrid from Cobb County Toyota here in Atlanta, and my wife LOVES it. (She used to own a Mazda 626) She's a Real Estate Agent, so needed the extra space of a SUV to transport clients around - So when we started looking, I made a decision to go Hybrid instead of regular SUV. (Gas economy and Environmental decisions were my two reasons for this choice.)
 
After looking at the options, we settled on the HH, and haven't had a single day's regret. (We looked at the Vue Greenline, but I'm afraid the 4cyl wouldn't have enough power to move a SUV -- I own a 2003 V6 Vue, and could never have used the 4cyl.)
 
First impressions: VERY peppy, good handling, and excellent comfort! I love the fact that it's so silent when driving at speed, with little to no road noise. We also love the fact that it starts off with just the Electric Motor to begin with - It was a liottle disconcerting, but my wife has gotten used to it.)
 
Fuel Economy: We're averaging between 26-30 MPG in 80% city driving, and very happy with that. After reading on several forums that MPG is around 25, we were a little disheartened to see the amazing difference between the EPA estimates. However, after we have learned to adjust our driving habits (Pulse and Glide specifically), we are really getting the hang of higher MPG and have made it into a game to see which one of us gets better MPG when we're driving the HH.
 
Handling in Atlanta traffic: Excellent. We haven't had any problems at all with acceleration, handling, or anything. (Atlanta drivers can be VERY aggressive, and having a car with good handling is a must to avoid fender benders)
 
We're currently just a smidge over 1000 miles (after 3 weeks of ownership) and wouldn't trade this car for anything. Very happy with our purchase.
 
Cheers!
Jay
#72 of 142
Re: New Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner [gowhitten] by landdriver
Aug 12, 2006 (7:58 pm)
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Replying to: gowhitten (Aug 11, 2006 9:50 pm)

"Some moron engineer made the cover over the drinkholders open backwards - should open left to right instead of vica versa"
 
Didn't bother to redesign it for the U.S. market where the steering wheel is on the left, unlike the Japanese HL where the steering wheel is on the right.
#73 of 142
Re: New Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner [landdriver] by gowhitten
Aug 13, 2006 (7:36 am)
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Replying to: landdriver (Aug 12, 2006 7:58 pm)

Actually I knew that, but for over $40K, you would think they could redo things for their biggest market (I guess we should be glad the brake and gas pedals are in the right position). Maybe they will change that when the Highlander production switches to the US in a couple years.
#74 of 142
Re: New Toyota Highlander Hybrid Owner [landdriver] by pdigi1
Aug 13, 2006 (4:43 pm)
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Replying to: landdriver (Aug 12, 2006 7:58 pm)

I thought the same about the cupholder at first, but actually prefer it the way it is. It is easier to grab the middle of the cup with my wrist in proper position for drinking if I grab the cup from the opposite side. If the lid opened the other way, it would be in the way for shorter cups (tall Starbucks, e.g.).
#76 of 142
First 3 weeks of use... by kinkykitten
Sep 13, 2006 (12:03 pm)
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2006 HiHy Base (4x2) with Package 1 (moonroof) & floor mats Bought August 26 for $28,600 (rounded)
 
We think we got the deal of the century as it was nearly $7k off MSRP of $35000, coupled with the $2600 tax credit, that's $9500 off the listed price! They had 2 on the lot (silver & gold), we got the gold.
 
Love: the quietness, the nimbleness, the horsepower, smooth riding, guilt-free driving & idling, all of the cupholders (too scared to eat/drink in the car yet!), averaging 27 - 28 MPG
 
Hate: nothing so far...
 
Wished: the Limited was on sale also because I really wanted leather seats & the NAv system, wished it had the automatic trunk open/close like the Lexus 330
 
We test drove the Honda CRV, Element & the RAV 4 with the assumption that we'd either get the 2007 CRV or a 2006 RAV4. There was absolutely no comparison to the HiHy with the Hondas. The HiHy drives like butter. I'm certainly not a performance driver (more like a grandma drive) so I can't really comment on the engine performance other than my confidence in passing vehicles on the freeway has accelerated.
 
We have recommended this vehicle to everyone who is cost & environmentally concious but still wants the flexibility of owning a SUV
#77 of 142
Re: First 3 weeks of use... [kinkykitten] by stevedebi
Sep 13, 2006 (2:06 pm)
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Replying to: kinkykitten (Sep 13, 2006 12:03 pm)

"We have recommended this vehicle to everyone who is cost & environmentally concious but still wants the flexibility of owning a SUV"
 
The 2007 CR-V 2 wheel drive EX will probably get better highway MPG at 75-80 MPH. I sometimes got over 30 MPG with my 2003, and they now have a 5 speed transmission. BTW, esitmated pricing with Nav, Leather, and back up camera is around 28K. However, the Honda is not indended to drive like the Toyota - different engineering concepts entirely.
 
So the "green quotient" would also depend upon how much city driving one does...
#78 of 142
2006 Highlander Limited AWD -1st Two Months by fritzer
Sep 24, 2006 (2:59 pm)
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So far it has been a great vehicle. With three tanks of gas, I'm approaching 30 MPG in Sacramento, CA. Drive to work is 1/3 rural, 1/3 urban and 1/3 Freeway; 15 miles each way. Traded in a 5 yr. old Chev. Trailblazer that used to get 17.5 MPG on same route. Absolutely no complaints with the Highlander - first non American built vehicle I have owned (ever) in 35 years. Accelerate moderately and anticipate stops and try to drive on electric power when practical to maximize MPG. I keep Goodyear Integra tires at 35 PSI. Attempting to beat previous gas mileage is an interesting challenge and I'm learning - keep kW power in hash marks (zebra) as much as possible to maximize mileage. One note: First 3 to 5 miles after start-up, MPH is in low to mid 20s then it improves to the low 30s after gas motor (ICE) warms up.

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