Hybrid Trip to the summit

[mrohssler]

Hi, Just wanted to update you. I finally made the trip up the auto road in my Highlander Hybrid. Went great. Was nimble and sure footed on the way up. Was a little worried about the descent with the cvt. I put it in the B mode and I only had to touch the brakes maybe 5 times on the way down, just crawled along without touching the gas. Was pleasently supprised. When we got to the bottom the battery level indicator was pegged on full. Only time I have seen that. Also on the ascent I still got 25 mpg. Anyone one with a toyota hybrid should go for the ride. It was great.

[Brad]

Every time I think about a new car I keep on getting steered (by my son) towards the Highlander Hybrid. It does seem like a nice car and this report is excellent. Thanks.

[h2oeco]

I've had a Highlander Hybrid for about two years now, and like it a lot. No problems, even pulling a boat from NJ to FL. Haven't had it in mountains much, but has done fine on/in snow, ice, dirt roads, etc. in VT and NH.

Ed

[Bill O]

Every time I think about a new car I keep on getting steered (by my son) towards the Highlander Hybrid. It does seem like a nice car and this report is excellent. Thanks.

Seems like a nice car, just don't buy it to save money on gas...especially if you do a lot of highway miles.

If you drove exclusively on the highway (12,000 miles per year @ $4/gallon) it would take 31.4 years to make up that $5,250 premium you'll pay over the non-hybrid model. I'm guessing the batteries won't last that long.

What if you drive 15,000 miles a year and gas costs $6 per gallon? You're down to 16.8 years to break-even.

Drive in the city? You're in much better shape. With my original numbers you break even in 5 years. My stressed case breaks even in 2.7 years.


Hybrid (city/highway): 27/25
Regular: 17/23

[Steve M]

Your car must be a chicken if it beaks even.

[KathyC]

I've been thinking about buying a Ford Escape Hybrid at the end of the year.

[donnellyvj]

How about a A MINI COOPER? Base is 18,700 and you can get up to 44 MPG highway. I sold Ford's for three years. The Escape Hybrid is nice but, like Bill said only buy it for the Green reasons and not to save $$$ on gas. I sell MINI's now and they are a ton of fun.... One question about hybrids. What are they going to do with all of these huge batteries when these car are dead? Anyone.....

[Mike D]

What are they going to do with all of these huge batteries when these car are dead? Anyone.....

Toyota will take the batteries back, probably to be dismantled and reused. I don't know about the other companies.

[Bill O]

The Escape Hybrid is nice but, like Bill said only buy it for the Green reasons and not to save $$$ on gas.

Finally, somebody else can also see the light.

[Mike D]

Finally, somebody else can also see the light.

If no one had purchased a VHS recorder in 1980, we would not have had the technological progression that brought us DVDs and Blu-Ray today. Buying a hybrid tells car makers that you want them to invest in new technologies, which, in time, will become far more economical and green than today's hybrids. Use your consumer vote!