Looking to replace the wife’s Suburban with the new Toyota Grand Highlander as Toyota finally got a clue they needed an SUV that has usable space behind the 3rd row.
Lexus is coming along with the TX that will be a plug in hybrid. Would love a plug in hybrid for our needs but the plug in will only be available in the top of the line F Sport model and won’t have the coin for that.
Toyota got rid of their tried and true V6 for a 4 cylinder turbo. Which I don’t want.
The hybrid model is only $1600 more and with my calculations compared to our Suburban we’ll recoup that is gas savings in just under a year. Presuming gas prices stay where they are. Either way we will likely reduce our gas usage by half.
They hybrid going in the Grand Highlander is their hybrid that has been around for a long time. All hybrid components are backed by a 10 year/150,000 miles so not terribly worried about replace my costs.
What else is there to consider on buying the hybrid?? I understand brakes last much longer, it is a slight learning curve driving the transmission.
So far by all accounts the hybrid in the Grand Highlander won’t be any races but has plenty of power to accelerate on to the high and handle and highway passing that may need to be done.

Just looking for your accounts and observations of actually owning a hybrid.

Everyone I know who has a Prius LOVES it. Toyota certainly seems to have nailed the hybrid concept, as they are committed to it, and and they are not committed to all electric.

I've never driven one of the Lexus or Toyota hybrids, but I see a ton of them on Orlando roads.

I'd be very happy with a hybrid, as it seems to me to be the best of both worlds. Economy, torque, range, easy fueling, boosted performance, etc.

I do have a client with the Porsche hybrid SUV. He loves that car, and tells me it is faster than the Maserati he traded for it.

The reason I went with a 2021 Highlander was the normally aspirated V6. So far very satisfied but only had it a short while. Pretty darn good economy but we are not driving 20k miles a year either. I am pretty amazed how much room the rig has.
I never gave a hybrid any consideration. But I understand why some do.
A Toyota will save you $ over just about anything else you could drive. Have been doing for generations.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

Do hybrid batteries need to be replaced? If so, when and how much does that cost? If you are looking at keeping a vehicle, long-term, that is definitely a cost of ownership to be considered.

Watch your fuel gauges, both of them. My old boss had a Prius and managed one day to run it out of both gas and battery. He put more gas in but it wouldn't start. He finally had to get the dealer to send a technician out to reboot the car. Of course that was about 15 years ago, maybe it's different now.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
The reason I went with a 2021 Highlander was the non aspirated V6.

'Non-Aspirated'...Does it run at all?

My wife has a 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and she absolutely loves it.

I have never driven it, as the driver seat will not accommodate my extra-long legs. Not a slam at this vehicle, there are very few vehicles that I can drive due to driver seat legroom (or lack thereof).

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
The reason I went with a 2021 Highlander was the non aspirated V6.

'Non-Aspirated'...Does it run at all?

Yeah, but it doesn't breathe. He probably meant "normally aspirated" as opposed to turbo (or super) charged.

We have a '21 Highlander Platinum Hybrid AWD. It's a great rig for 2 people with occasional grandkids. 35 MPG and plenty of horses.

Today is it's second birthday and it's traveled 40,000 miles. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
The reason I went with a 2021 Highlander was the non aspirated V6. So far very satisfied but only had it a short while. Pretty darn good economy but we are not driving 20k miles a year either. I am pretty amazed how much room the rig has.
I never gave a hybrid any consideration. But I understand why some do.
A Toyota will save you $ over just about anything else you could drive. Have been doing for generations.

We miss our Highlander something terrible. But they are just too small. We without a doubt would still have our 2012 Limited we traded for our 2015 Suburban.
The Grand Highlander adds lots of passenger and cargo space. On our summer trips we’ll need a larger rooftop cargo carrier but no big deal.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Do hybrid batteries need to be replaced? If so, when and how much does that cost? If you are looking at keeping a vehicle, long-term, that is definitely a cost of ownership to be considered.

We keep our main vehicle 5-7 years and do about 15k a year so I am not terrible concerned about it but if they go looks like it’s about $6k including labor. Going to see if this is something I can do myself.
Our oldest just turned 10 so there is a possibility this vehicle becomes his to cart our younger boys around.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
Watch your fuel gauges, both of them. My old boss had a Prius and managed one day to run it out of both gas and battery. He put more gas in but it wouldn't start. He finally had to get the dealer to send a technician out to reboot the car. Of course that was about 15 years ago, maybe it's different now.

User error or are the gauges just not accurate because of the duel duel usage?

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
Watch your fuel gauges, both of them. My old boss had a Prius and managed one day to run it out of both gas and battery. He put more gas in but it wouldn't start. He finally had to get the dealer to send a technician out to reboot the car. Of course that was about 15 years ago, maybe it's different now.

User error or are the gauges just not accurate because of the duel duel usage?

Not sure, but knowing him (and his wife) I suspect he/they just weren't paying attention. So, user error.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
The reason I went with a 2021 Highlander was the non aspirated V6.

'Non-Aspirated'...Does it run at all?

sorry, it does appear to have a good set of lungs.

Thinking it'll be heavier, but with a lower center of gravity.

Something to think about when going off road and/or towing.

What would be the most cost-effective gas-to-electricity ratio, and what would be the estimated total annual cost to maintain that ratio?

Are the savings on ‘fuel’ still favorable over that of the V6 Highlander?

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Originally posted by .38supersig:
Thinking it'll be heavier, but with a lower center of gravity.

Something to think about when going off road and/or towing.

No concern for this vehicle as I’ll have the Tundra still.

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Originally posted by Cookster:
What would be the most cost-effective gas-to-electricity ratio, and what would be the estimated total annual cost to maintain that ratio?

Are the savings on ‘fuel’ still favorable over that of the V6 Highlander?

They switched to a new 4 cylinder motor. I have no interest in a small displacement turbo motor as a daily driver. Especially a brand new engine, it’s Toyota so should be pretty solid but would much prefer the very proven motor.

My local dealer has a Grand Highlander on the lot and I gave it a quick exterior glace. Seems pretty decent. I was curious about the hybrid too and the GH offers two hybrid choices. I would be concerned with with the base hybrid engine. I can only find it has 245 hp, no mention of torque. With the family and luggage I am questioning the power. The hybrid max has 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque which im sure will be nice but it cuts the MPG down pretty good.

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Originally posted by gpbst3:
My local dealer has a Grand Highlander on the lot and I gave it a quick exterior glace. Seems pretty decent. I was curious about the hybrid too and the GH offers two hybrid choices. I would be concerned with with the base hybrid engine. I can only find it has 245 hp, no mention of torque. With the family and luggage I am questioning the power. The hybrid max has 362 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque which im sure will be nice but it cuts the MPG down pretty good.

The standard hybrid is 310 ft/lbs of torque. This motor has moved the standard Highlander just fine for years and the Grand Highlander is only 450 pounds heavier.
I am in a couple Grand Highlander groups and folks are happy with the hybrid abilities.

Hybrid - electric motor and gas motor. 2 engines, typically in city driving- the electric motor delivers the power at starting and low speeds. At higher speeds- gas engine kicks in to power the vehicle. Battery for electric motor is recharged during braking - thermal energy —> converted to electrical energy back to recharge battery.
1) City driving- gas engine turns off, you need to get used to electrical engine. At full stop- gas engine turns off. In driveway, slow speed- all electric- very quiet. You need to be aware of “stealth “ mode. The electric engine is quiet- sometimes you need to let a pedestrian or bicycle know a vehicle is present.
State specific tax incentives may be available- check State regs. Tax incentives at Federal level have been exhausted for hybrids.
Battery takes up lot of room and needs unobstructed air flow.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
The Grand Highlander adds lots of passenger and cargo space. On our summer trips we’ll need a larger rooftop cargo carrier but no big deal.

Have you considered adding a hitch rack instead of putting stuff on top?

It's the method I used to great success for cargo.

Makes for you accessing easier (also makes theft easier, though) and won't affect your aerodynamics like something on the roof does.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
The Grand Highlander adds lots of passenger and cargo space. On our summer trips we’ll need a larger rooftop cargo carrier but no big deal.

Have you considered adding a hitch rack instead of putting stuff on top?

It's the method I used to great success for cargo.

Makes for you accessing easier (also makes theft easier, though) and won't affect your aerodynamics like something on the roof does.

Yes, in the end I will likely need both. We currently fill the entire Suburban cargo area, two seats in the 3rd row, and the rooftop cargo carrier on our trips.

Looking to add the Yakima Exo Gear locker if the larger rooftop box does not suffice.