Toyota
Highlander Hybrid Testimonials
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.
Are
you the owner of a Toyota Highlander hybrid? Tell us about
your experiences with the Highlander hybrid. What kind of
gas mileage do you get in your hybrid Highlander and in what
kind of driving?
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