Toyota Highlander Hybrid Toyota's third hybrid vehicle

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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Highlander Hybrid Testimonials / Rate My Highlander Hybrid

Hi,

We have a 2006 Toyota Highlander 2 Wheel Drive. We live at 3,500 foot  
elevation on the slopes of Haleakala, on Maui. Anytime we go anywhere, we almost always have to drive down to sea level and back.  By far, most of our driving is highway driving and we are averaging just over 24 mpg.

I'm curious what others are getting in this vehicle.

Aloha,
Bill

I bought a 4-wheel drive Highlander Hybrid one week ago. I have only put 165 miles on it thus far, mostly short drives (less than 8 miles at a time in town), so I am still learning how to best maximize the fuel efficiency. I am being very gentle with the gas pedal and coasting downhill without my foot on the pedal at all. I am only getting 22.5 mpg according to the computer, which is disappointing, and am eager to make the calculation myself with my first fillup. A major concern is that the battery has yet to fully charge. It has not charged more than 6 bars out of the 8 maximum. I am hoping that a fully charged batter will result in the electric motor contributing to power more frequently. I am sold on the electronic power steering and the transmission combination which allows the vehicle to truly coast when going downhill without the transmission slowing the vehicle. The interior, exterior, amenities etc. are all great, I'm disappointed in the fuel efficiency thus far. I would gladly give up some power for more fuel efficiency.

D. P.
 Roanoke, Virgnia

We bought our Hybrid Highlander in July 05'. In the beginning we were getting about 27mpg. These last couple months it has taken a turn for the worse. My driving conditions haven't changed (mostly city driving). The last 5 fill ups we have averaged about 20mpg. I have noticed the gas comes on almost immediately now, unlike before when the electricity was used up to about 30mph (on the flat). We took it into the Toyota dealer and they insisted there was nothing wrong or the lights would've come on. There is something wrong when you spend the extra money to purchase a vehicle that is supposed to be better for the environment and it ends up not being the case. We didn't buy this thinking we would get our money back in the gas money we saved. We bought this thinking it polluted less and didn't consume as much gas. It is frustrating being mislead.

By the way Darrell the battery is rarely ever charged all way. I don't think that makes a difference unless it's really low. I'm not sure though.

Tricia

I bought my 2006 Highlander 4x4 (base model with package #1) in late September '05 on eBay from a dealer in Lockport, NY. At that time I felt like I got a good deal, at $2,000 below MSRP. I flew from my home (near Burlington, Vermont) to Buffalo (thanks to Jet Blue's $69 1-way fare) to get the car and then drove it home. I paid close attention to my driving technique and stayed on secondary roads, avoiding interstates. That 500-mile trip in cool, dry weather yielded almost 31 mpg. I have never been able to duplicate that economy. Car now has 2,500 miles and has averaged 23-25 mpg. Vermont is hilly, so I am often going up and down grades more than long distances on flat roads. Mileage seems to vary a lot with colder temps, use of A/C, heat, lights, etc. As others have remarked, the V-6 seems to run more frequently, no matter how lightly I use the accelerator. As of today (2/3/06) we have escaped our normal winter in NW Vermont this year: little snow and no below-zero temps. Wonder what effect those would have on economy? Perhaps the HiHy's mileage will improve in the spring. I am proud to own and drive such a vehicle, but would not recommend it to anyone whose budget can't easily afford the premium price over a gas-only 4-cyl or V-6 Highlander.

G.G.

I am thoroughly enjoying my car and already have 4,800 miles on it. My average since I got it is 29.6 mpg, which I consider pretty good. However, I would like to get it to over 30 on a routine basis. I am using regular gas and the driving is about 75% freeway and 25% in town, with a/c on all the time. It is a whole new driving concept, and to get that mileage one has to be extremely light footed. I've only been able to get around 450 miles on a tank of gas, but haven't really taken any trips more than 100 miles or so. Perhaps on a long distance trip, with ideal conditions, I might seek the goal of "600 miles on a tank" as advertised.

M.S.

We just bought a HH a week ago, after 250 miles I am getting 27.4mpg, I was very careful to maximize this by coasting a lot up to redlights and not accerating up hills, but then I mostly drive that way except in my Boxster. MY wife and I are amazed at how quiet the car is going down the highway. I also noticed the battery is not fully charging, but that probably would be hard to do with the electric motor coming on as much as it does going up hills.

Tom

I, too, am disappointed with my Highlander mileage (24), mostly because the sticker said 28-32. QUESTION: Does anyone know how to get the maint. required light to go off? Last oil change, the mechanic showed me and I can't remember or get it to do it. Hold in the button on odo. while starting? thanks.

lcb

Am seeing decreased MPG in my Highlander - from 30 mpg when new to 28Mpg, now down to 26-27 mpg (9,000 miles). Wonder if anyone else has had this situation?

P.W.

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