Pros and Cons of a Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Question

Help I want to get an SUV but with gas prices being what they are and global warning being what it is I know it's not the smartest idea. So I was wondering about the hybrid highlander any good yes no scale of 1 to 10? any information would help.

Answer 1

Any Hybrid is just a "feel good" car. It's really not going to do anything positive toward the energy crisis or toward your saving any money. You'll NEVER recoup the cost difference between a hybrid or a regular car. Plus, the batteries will need replacing in a few years.....that will cost 3-6 thousand dollars, plus you have the problem of old battery disposal.

Just buy a vehicle that gets relatively decent mileage to start with. A Honda Accord, or better yet...a Civic would be great. A Ford Focus or Fusion get great mileage, and you can get a deal on em.

Answer 2

As previously mentioned, it'll take you around 8 years of ownership, to recoupe the initial step up cost of rolling into a Hybrid. GM and Nissan supposedly are trying to bring the price down, where it's just as afforable as their 4 cylinder engined versions.

So other than "feeling" good, that's about it. Plus we don't know what the long term issues with reliability, and replacing the battery pack in 8 years, will do to the vehicles depreciation.

If you truely want to save money on fuel, maybe a regular 4cylinder passenger car might be a better alternative, instead of an SUV?

Also, the Highlander is towards the end of it's life cycle, a new one should be in line in the next year or 2. Actually it's sort of dated compared to the competition. I'm surprised Toyota has let it languish this far. Maybe a fresh offering might be better, so you dont have that "driving the old generation" look right after buying it.

Hope this helps...

Answer 3

I am a Toyota person for many decades now. But if I had the money to spend, I'd get the Acura MDX hand down!!! I've gone to the national car shows and examined the vehicles, and the toyota highlander is a good strong vehicle. But it's also very utilitarian. I really really like the Acura MDX lines and design. NOt a lot of superficial stuff on the dash. It's a dash that an older guy can read and understand. Plus Honda is only other car company to rival Toyota for dependablility. So I say Honda MDX hands down, even tho' my big brother has the Highlander. Oh, and if you need anyone to test drive your new MDX, you know, to break it in for you, so you don't have to, well, I'm the kind of guy who'd suffer to do that for you!!

Answer 4

don know
go for it if u need to haul bulky stuff.
if u drive on highways more i would get a hybrid car