Yeah I agree, 26 mpg is good for a 4000 lbs SUV (+500 lbs hybrid system). My friend that I referred to has been disappointed with their fuel economy. They saw 21-23 with their previous RX 300. However, their daily drive should favor the hybrid and they were hoping to see the 32, 29, etc that some people here are reporting. So far they have only made two trip's (Myrtle Beach & Gatlinburg) and didn't break 27 for either trip. FWIW, the THHII driver is next door to Byran92 in SC, so temperature, etc shouldn't be much of a factor.

My only personal experience with a Highlander is a 2006 I rented for 2 weeks. I drove that vehicle 1200, almost all highway and observed 23 MPG. So comparing apples to apples the 08 THHII uses the same engine (3.3), swaps 5-spd auto for CVT and adds the hybrid system. So with the same engine and 50% more weight. How does the THHII go from the 23 I observed to the 29-31 observed here. I understand if the driving took advantage of the Hybrid system, but I don't understand it in highway (aka gas mode). If a V-6 06 Highlander had it's 5-spd auto swapped for a CVT and 1500 Lbs of lead loaded. Would it get 29-31 mpg on the highway?