We're approaching 10K on our Highlander Hybrid 2WD base, and that reminded me that it was time to visit the dealer for oil change and 10K checkup. Needed to be reminded since we have had no problems whatsoever. I was a long time Ford owner who married a long time Toyota owner, and every time one of the Fords went to the shop she reminded me that her Toyotas only went to visit for routine service (and a ding or two from bad drivers). So with the last Ford reaching 140K and _another_ several thousand dollar repair bill we chose the Hignlander Hybrid. We're not always driving the HH in conditions to get best mileage ("commute" is about a mile, for instance) so our MPG varies from 24-27 on any given fillup. We hit our first 30 mpg on a return trip from New England a couple of weeks ago, which is still outstanding for a vehicle almost as big as the van it replaced that was around 17 mpg on the best days. Now a fill up is about every 2 weeks in normal driving instead of every week, and at 10K we're looking at just another $60 service charge at the dealer - with nothing wrong, no problems, car as solid (though has some scratches and marks, darn!) as the day we drove it home. This is definitely a welcome experience after having ok Fords that still seemed to need work even after only a year.

Beyond the reliability and fuel savings, the HH is big enough for me to use on business (carrying video gear and crews to locations), spacious enough for us to carry our two greyhounds (and many times a third when we're fostering a dog off the track), and very comfortable over long trips like the New England jaunt, with the dogs and luggage in the back as we drove to the race tracks they ran at when they were "working."

The HH has the added benefits of an SUV/minivan in that is rides higher for better visability, but it's car-like ride and for its size amazing handling can get it through squeezes on crowded roads. The acceleration and braking for a vehicle this size and weight are surprising, and it handles solidly at all times. I tend to drive the speed limit, but drove to a job this weekend on the crowded PA turnpike and called on the HH to move me past some trucks that were making me uncomfortable. I was surprised to realize that I was able to get to 75 mph without effort, it really felt no different than at lower speeds. Confidence is the term I would use.

Last, for those who are used to smaller cars but need something larger to handle family or hauling needs, the HH is a great compromise. My wife HATED the minivans, leaving me to drive on long trips or, as the last van got old, taking her Corolla along, which was ok but still a small car for a 6 hour trip we take every year. She has always driven Tercels or Corollas, understood my use of something bigger, and we decided this time around to trade in both cars and compromise on the HH as a single car, so she absolutely had to feel comfortable driving something bigger. The HH has worked out well - biggest problem is our trying to coordinate schedules and, even after a year, adjusting to being a one car family. Works most days...

We'd buy an HH again for sure, only thing - not a complaint, just an observation - is that Toyota really skipped anything I'd term useful electronic frills that are possible, even normal, in other cars. Little stuff like automatically locking doors (hey, we live in the city, and they even said this would be a feature that never made it) and electronic gizmos that many cars have (and wouldn't have been added even with the limited and nav, sorry, that's too much to spend for the features it would add). It's really surprising given that the components are there to do this and other cars have this stuff. We rented a Pontiac in Florada a month ago (what a change, I definitely missed the HH though it wasn't a bad car) and it just had some little gizmos that made the overall experience a touch nicer. Siince the HH is state of the art technology in the important areas, and added electronics are a matter of a couple of lights and to a great extent lines of code in a very electronic car, just surprising. - John

 

When we bought our highlander 2 1/2 months ago, we noticed a few highlanders on the road. But not one was a hybrids. They are fairly popular here, in regular gas form.

But now -we are starting to see more and more hybirid versions out on the road!!!

 

I bought the Highlander Limited 4wd a month ago after about 4 months of research and driving a lot of other vehicles. I did not want to spend the $40K that most HyHi vehicles with what I wanted were going for. I found a used one so that eased the $$$ concern. Even after I got the HyHi, I considered selling it just because I had so much money tied up in it. So I began to test drive a number of other vehicles that were similar -- the Vue, CRV, Rav4, Escape, Tribute. All were nice and close to the HyHi in price (within $5000), but once I got back into the HyHi, I could see the reasons for the difference and now I think it is worth the difference.

In short, performance is unbelievable -- much more power than any of the others, even more power than the gas Highlander. Economy is as good or better than the others (except the Escape Hybrid; but 4 cylinders vs 6 was no comparision). Luxury and smooth ride -- again, no comparison. Shifting -- unbelievablely smooth, even smoother than many of the gas vehicles I tested. In short, all the others are very nice vehicles but the Highlander is really heads above the rest.

 

Just thought of another reason I bought the HiHy.....the legendary Toyota reliability and quality. I looked at Consumers carfully and the Highlander rated much better than the Escape. Having owned Toyotas, Fords, and Mercurys my personal experience matched Consumers.

 

I LOVE my HH! Had a Toyota Sienna minivan previously, which is still going strong at 140,000 miles (I kept it for those times when I have to haul more stuff than even the HH will hold), so I already knew about Toyota's reliability. For me it was a choice between an SUV or minivan; I haul a lot of gear for my work, so even thought the Prius' gas mileage was tempting it was not for me. I was determined to buy a hybrid this time out; even if I don't recoup the extra $ in gas savings I believe in voting for alternative fuel technologies/environmental issues with my pocketbook, I think it's the only way the auto manufacturers will get the message. I couldn't be happier with the HH, it's not only making me feel better about my environmental "behavior", it's fun to drive!

 

We had a 2004 Toyota Sienna mini-van. It was ok for our general needs for a family vehicle. The one area where it was not quite what we needed was in the power department.

The 2004 Sienna was 4200 lbs with the 3.3L V-6. The hills in our area would require some heavy foot applications of the gas pedal to get up the hills (after downshifting).

We still needed the ability to carry up to four people and one large dog. The 2006 HiHy 4WD-i seems to fit all of our needs. The power for climbing hills is great with the CVT and the 4WD-i working together. We would average around 18 MPG with the Sienna in normal driving around our home, with the first tank refill for our HiHy we obtained 23.6 MPG.

 

Gang

great post. I agree that there are several hybrids with better gas mileage. Heck, even my ford escort gets 30mpg. But i agree with all who have replied so far, The quality of this vehicle is simple outstanding. Toyota really outdid themselves here. I think if they just dumped the price down a few k for future models, it will become one of the top selling SUVs period.

We already see lots of highlanders down here, and more and more are hybrid versions.

is anyone seeing more and more highlander hybrids where they live?

 

I like knowing that my HiHy first and foremost is a car, that not only is getting great mileage, but allows me to haul all of my gear. From a weekend climbing the crags, to two weeks carrying kayaks, to a typical day at the office; my car can handle it all. I chose my highlander, because I have no debt coming out of college, no kids, just dogs, work and a house payment. But hey, it's not the cost that I associate with the car, but the reliability of a Toyota and knowing that I have made a conscious decision in oil consumption. It lets others know that if I can go green, others can too.

 

I had an 01 Camry and loved it. However, I wanted to get "higher" on the road with an SUV -- safer I think. I also am pleased that it has super ultra low emissions. Mileage is same as Camry. Love the cargo space. Love the acceleration. Love the interior. Love the stereo system. Lot's of Highlanders around here -- not too many hybrids yet.

3 things I don't like -- tape player instead of MP3 player or something; armrest on driver's side; 3rd seat only my 4 year old grandson enjoys -- away from his little sister.

 

Just spent 31/2 years and 65,000 miles in a std highlander, most reliable and quiet SUV I have ever owned. I used to work in electric car world and wanted to put my two passions together.

Had the HH now one week, done 1,400 miles! its quieter, smoother and at I now do 300 miles on 3 gallons less thats saving at least $10 a fill. TheHH has exceded my expectations.....so far