That hybrid thang

DogsDontPurr asked me to review our Hybrid Toyota Highlander, so here goes.  Reusker should really weigh in, because he's the car freak.

For starters, I fell in love with the Lexus Hybrid.  Reusker *told* me this was the same automobile, just a Toyota.  This appealed to my frugal side, which was DEAD-against buying a brand, new car.  But, they are holding their value so well that after all the incentives (tax cut, rebates, APR) it was actually cheaper to buy a NEW car than a used one!!  Can you believe that?  crazy.

It turns out its the chassis or some "underneath" feature that is the same as the Lexus...not the cupholders and such details that *I* would appreciate.  Of course.  I also think it has some kind of construction similar to the Toyota Camry, but I know no more than I care on this subject.  Reusker assured me it was very, very safe...that's all I care about (since we DO have a habit of being nearly killed by errant 18-wheelers, right?).

The coolest thing is to turn it ON.  You cant even tell its on...no noise!  It starts in battery mode, no engine noise.  I am halfway down the street before the gas engine kicks in.  There is a gauge on the dashboard that tells me, but you can also hear it...electric is quieter and smoother...kinda like a golf cart.

Now appreciate that I am comparing this to my previous cars:  1995 Infiniti (which did the job, but was very old and tired) and The Mitsubeastie (hated this one after 10 miserable years...JB might remember this POS).  So I LOVE our little SUV!! I swore I'd never get a SUV or minivan.  But lifting baby + carseat, hunched into the back of a small car...no good, sent me straight to my first chiropractor visit (whom I now adore).  This is small enough to feel good, definitely no minivan, but high enough to be REALLY comfortable...good view, easy to lift up to.

We get better mileage in the city (uses battery more, appr.26mpg) than highway (~23mpg).  It steers and breaks well.  Eric said something about torque and seconds to some speed...the bottom line is that it accelerates well...a new thing for me (ha ha ha).

My only complaint is that the seats round my back more than I like.  But I tend to hunch over anyways...it just encourages it.  So for our LONG LONG LONG drive to Maine (just me & baby!), I plan to put a towel behind me.

Some things I love:  hidden third row of seats, lighter plugs everywhere, back seats fold DOWN/not forward, huge cupholders and perfect spaces for everything.  I love that we have both a sun and moon roof.  The AC also kicks ass, and the radio is really good (controls on steering wheel, too).

What am I leaving out, DDP?

Comments

[DogsDontPurr]

I actually used to drive a Highlander, but that was before they came out with the hybrid version. And Reusker is right, they are basically a Lexus in Toyota clothing. As a play on that, I had a personalized license plate that read "LLXXSS."

I'll have to check out the new hybrid version. It would be interesting to compare it with the one I had before.

Any thoughts on how it handles on twisty curvey roads? I rented a little teeny hybrid car once for a drive down the California coast, and it was a nightmare on all those twisty roads. When you took your foot off the gas, the car didn't slow like it would with a gas engine, so you really had to use the breaks a lot. This took some getting used to. Have you noticed anything like this with the Highlander?

[meg]

I havent noticed any difference there. I know it does collect the "potential energy" while coasting, but it doesnt slow down significantly slower to me. But I'll see today when I go out. As for twisty roads...havent really been on any. I imagine the frame would behave the same as your other Highlander...?? I'll ask Reusker.

[Your Conscience]

Ahh,the mitsubishi eclipse. That was a fun car, actually a friggin rocket sled. I remember I borrowed that car for a week or something and it was fun. Didn't you also wreck the ever-loving shit out of it?

[meg]

yes. and yes again. and I can imagine using the word "shit" but not "love" about The Mitsubeastie! You might also be thinking of the rear-ended Mirage that was totalled...but that wasnt as much fun (the experience or the car). The Beastie became less and less fun as she passed 10 yrs old...but for a cheap car she was a bargain over the lifetime.