Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited

[Autos_Editor]

As the all-new 2014 Highlander is about to emerge, the outgoing model is still a solid, well-built and refined choice.

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[Solstice2006]

Except for the tight confines for third-row passengers and cargo space, the Highlander Hybrid was a fabulous vehicle for this trip, allowing us to pay our respects without a huge penalty at the pumps.

Seems like a big exception to me.  Although this is not unique to the Highlander, 7 seater SUVs never allow you to have enough cargo space for 6.  You need a cargo box.  Its the same in the microvans, if you are using the 3rd row, luggage space is limited.  Where these 3rd row SUVs shine, is when you travelling long distances with these more comfortable seats, and more room. 

Since it's a Hybrid, it's less efficient on the highway.  But for me, that's where this type of vehicle would be used to the most.  Like towing a small pop up trailer, and going camping with the family.  I would be better off getting the V6 Limited, saving the $7000 difference, and averaging around 10.5L to 11.5L (if I wasn't towing), not much of a penalty against the 9.5L of the Hybrid.

[redman]

 

....but believe when you're dealing with premium customers, the fuel economy of a hybrid falls second to the cache of driving a "hybrid"
As for myself the savings have to make sense above the novelty of a hybrid.

[johngenx]

One of my best friends and climbing partners has one.  It's a very nice vehicle, and as both him and his wife are doctors, the economics of the hybrid are of no concern.  His spends 95% of its time in city traffic, ferrying their three kids around, etc.  This is where the HL-H excels.  They achieve fuel economy that no other vehicle of this size for sale in our market can come close to.

[Solstice2006]

One of my best friends and climbing partners has one.  It's a very nice vehicle, and as both him and his wife are doctors, the economics of the hybrid are of no concern.  His spends 95% of its time in city traffic, ferrying their three kids around, etc.  This is where the HL-H excels.  They achieve fuel economy that no other vehicle of this size for sale in our market can come close to.

Makes sense in that situation.  With the way Toyota is going I am surprised the Sienna doesn't have a Hybrid trim yet.  They have the Camry Hybrid, soon to be Avalon Hybrid, the entire Prius lineup, most Lexus models.  Most of the time vans are used in the city anyway, dropping off kids, shopping.  It's not like it cost Toyota much money, as they already have the powertrain... I would strongly consider a hybrid, if they had the Sienna available.

[Fobroader]

One of my best friends and climbing partners has one.  It's a very nice vehicle, and as both him and his wife are doctors, the economics of the hybrid are of no concern.  His spends 95% of its time in city traffic, ferrying their three kids around, etc.  This is where the HL-H excels.  They achieve fuel economy that no other vehicle of this size for sale in our market can come close to.

$7K is a lot of fuel.....does it really save that much except for pure bumper to bumper situations??

[johngenx]

$7K is a lot of fuel.....does it really save that much except for pure bumper to bumper situations??

As I noted, the economics are of no concern to my friend.  He wanted the least fuel consumption available in an SUV, period.  And they routinely see all-city tanks in the 8s, which is comparable to many compact cars, not 4000lb SUVs.

Used in urban driving, the HL-hybrid actually has one of the shorter payback periods, but it's still a long time.

[Ex-airbalancer]

Is it not like upgrading your Ac / heating system at home
Getting 97%  efficient furnace over a 95% furnace , it will take years to get the payback but will be there someday . It just you are laying out your money at the beginning
But people do it to feel good

It the same as with a hybrid, most people get to feel good , and lower dollar per km price

[Fobroader]

Is it not like upgrading your Ac / heating system at home
Getting 97%  efficient furnace over a 95% furnace , it will take years to get the payback but will be there someday . It just you are laying out your money at the beginning
But people do it to feel good

It the same as with a hybrid, most people get to feel good , and lower dollar per km price

I get your analogy, but with furnaces and AC units people usually swap 20 year old one that are running at god knows what efficiency for new 98 or 99% efficient models. That makes sense, but most vehicles today are very efficient dont really see the benefits of a hybrid....

[blotter]

Seems like a big exception to me.  Although this is not unique to the Highlander, 7 seater SUVs never allow you to have enough cargo space for 6. 

I still don't get the 7 passenger SUV.  Perhaps it'll die a slow death in a few years.
Nearly every review is the same complaint for almost all of them.  Not enough cargo space for the amount of people it's supposed to carry and the rear seats are usually pretty tight.   Might as well get a van.  These vehicles came to be since people didn't want to appear like the "soccer mom" but most of today's vans look pretty good and you just can't beat the utility.

the configuration works for some people (as John noted) but overall, this vehicle really doesn't make any sense at all.
except the industry is now putting in smaller motors into the 5 passengers, forcing some people who want a V6 to "upgrade" to a bigger vehicle.

[mixmanmash]

Seems like a big exception to me.  Although this is not unique to the Highlander, 7 seater SUVs never allow you to have enough cargo space for 6. 

I still don't get the 7 passenger SUV.  Perhaps it'll die a slow death in a few years.
Nearly every review is the same complaint for almost all of them.  Not enough cargo space for the amount of people it's supposed to carry and the rear seats are usually pretty tight.   Might as well get a van.  These vehicles came to be since people didn't want to appear like the "soccer mom" but most of today's vans look pretty good and you just can't beat the utility.

This is the truth.

I think really, the target market is for people who really need a 5 seater with cargo, and in a pinch, a 7 seater with no cargo.  If you need a 7 seater with cargo, you are looking at a minivan/van/bigger SUV (i.e. Suburban, Yukon XL, Expedition MAX, etc).  Of course, I find the last row in the big SUVs not that great compared to a minivan.

[wing]

I wonder when SUVs will be uncool because only soccer moms drive them.  And wagons and minivans will be cool again

[Fobroader]

I wonder when SUVs will be uncool because only soccer moms drive them.  And wagons and minivans will be cool again

Minivan....uhhh...unless they are the Renault Espace F1....hopefully never. 

[johngenx]

The irony is that makers have really cool wagons, we just won't buy them here.

[Ex-airbalancer]

I rather have a SUV /cuv then a wagon
Like sitting higher, easier to get into and out over
I have had a truck since 1987, so I like larger toys

[SaskSpecV]

I wonder when SUVs will be uncool because only soccer moms drive them.  And wagons and minivans will be cool again

LOL, I asked my wife about trading the F150 for an SUV, and she dismissed it out of hand.
"Where would you put the hay?" she says...

She was also lukewarm (at best) when looking at the new Forester, and disliked the Outback more than the Forester.

Yet she LOVES the Elantra Touring (which is basically a wagon), had no problem owning a Focus Wagon, and is more than happy if I decide to get a Mazda5 minivan (she liked the 5 WAY more than either Subaru)

We're a family that swims against the automotive current, I guess...

[wing]

Put the hay in a trailer another excuse to buy another toy

[jyarkony]

I wonder when SUVs will be uncool because only soccer moms drive them.  And wagons and minivans will be cool again

I think the Sienna in SE trim looks cool.

[ipolski]

Seems like a big exception to me.  Although this is not unique to the Highlander, 7 seater SUVs never allow you to have enough cargo space for 6. 

I still don't get the 7 passenger SUV.  Perhaps it'll die a slow death in a few years.
Nearly every review is the same complaint for almost all of them.  Not enough cargo space for the amount of people it's supposed to carry and the rear seats are usually pretty tight.   Might as well get a van.  These vehicles came to be since people didn't want to appear like the "soccer mom" but most of today's vans look pretty good and you just can't beat the utility.

the configuration works for some people (as John noted) but overall, this vehicle really doesn't make any sense at all.
except the industry is now putting in smaller motors into the 5 passengers, forcing some people who want a V6 to "upgrade" to a bigger vehicle.

Agree, I'd rather have extra cargo space in place of useless 3rd row of seats.

[johngenx]

When we bought the E-Class diesel for the missus she wanted a wagon but no diesel in the wagon then. I was shocked. Mercedes Diesel Wagon are three words known the world over that spoken together.