Originally Posted by PineywoodsPete

Got 28,000 on our '06 4x4 standard HiHY, with a lot of wear left - expect to get 40,000 or so. I drive pretty conservatively, but do enjoy the 268 ponies every now and then. Are you hitting the curves too aggressively? Do you rotate every 5000? Do you floss daily? Personally, in the 51 years I've been driving, don't believe I've ever had tires that lasted near their rated milage, and sincerely doubt that's a common experience. Yours do sound a bit pathological, and there is the warrenty pro-rated discount, I suppose.

I get about the same 25-26 mpg FE you report and am very happy with it. I still can't fathom the depth of your disappointment in our truly remarkable and unique vehicles. The point of comparison here is with the V8 versions of mid-sized SUV's, which the HiHy equals or surpasses in performance, except for the Porsche and MB turbo iterations - not some pie-in-the-sky FedGov comparison FE number.

I'd believe in the tooth fairy, Santa, and peace in the Middle East in our lifetimes before I'd believe a 4400 lb 4x4 with the equivalent of 300 HP would get 29 MPG average FE, or whatever the absurd figure was. Only 10% or so less as you and I get strikes me as phenomenal for the performance, power reserve, and towing ability we enjoy.

Me? I'd real disappointed, in fact truly PO'd, at my X5 or V8 Cayenne to be passed on a hillclimb by a lowly HiHy getting a true 10-12 mpg better and costing 20-30 grand less, with a third seat, no less (as almost useless as it is, but still a great feature at times).

I'm sure you could trade your crappy HiHy Ltd even-steven for a new Escape and get your dreamed-of 30 mpg SUV. But forget about passing that semi up the hill, towing anything but a utility trailer, or taking four full-grown humans and a couple of kids or grandkids along with you. At 12,000 miles a year, that would save you an additional 50 or so gallons yearly above the 200 you are now saving compared to the V6 non-hybrid Highlander.

Pete