Among hybrid SUVs, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a respectable option. For a midsize SUV, it provides exceptional fuel efficiency in addition to a smooth ride, a ton of user-friendly electronics, and spacious seating in its first two rows.
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What are the drawbacks of the hybrid Toyota Highlander?
1. Limited Legroom in the Third Row
Speaking of the third row, it is likely the biggest shortcoming of the 2021 Toyota Highlander. Of fact, this is a typical problem for the group. However, the lack of leg room in flat seats simply serves to emphasize that only small children would fit back there. The top two rows are best for adults.
2. Limited cargo room
The Highlander has a limited amount of cargo space as well. The load area behind the third row is only 16 cubic feet, which is not much for a third-row SUV. A considerably better-than-average 48.4 cubic feet can be obtained by removing the third row of seats. Unfortunately, this implies that there is not much room for cargo if all seats must be kept upright.
3. You can feel the weight.
Despite its poise under pressure, the Highlander may still feel its weight. In some circumstances, particularly while moving around on crowded city streets, it can feel clumsy. Imagine that you are in control of a boat with wheels.
4. Longer panic stops
It seems like panic stops take too long on this segment. Driving requires a lot of work to be put into braking, so try to timing your stops as efficiently as you can.
Should I purchase a gas or hybrid Highlander?
On the other hand, the V6 engine in the 2022 Highlander is less effective. The conventional Highlander had higher fuel efficiency ratings than its hybrid stablemate, with the EPA rating it at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. In my actual tests, I recorded a combined average of 21 mpg, which is 14 mpg less than the hybrid.
The V6 engine produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, 52 more horsepower than the hybrid. Since I’m at a high height, it doesn’t feel like that much more power, to be honest. Don’t get me wrong; it doesn’t feel particularly slow when climbing hills or anything of the sort. The power wasn’t all that impressive, though, and I didn’t think the reduced fuel efficiency was worth choosing the gas-powered vehicle over the hybrid.
How long does the battery in a Toyota Highlander hybrid last?
You’re not the only one who adores The Highlander! The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has been a fan favorite since it was introduced, however a Toyota hybrid’s battery life is typically between 10 and 15 years.
Toyota increased the eight-year guarantee on its hybrid batteries to ten years in 2019. This was done to reassure potential customers and highlight the longest warranty in the business as a selling point.
Your hybrid battery is no longer covered by warranty because you drive a 2010 Highlander. As a result, if it starts to malfunction, you must replace it. Depending on whether you purchase the battery new or used, the average cost to replace a Toyota hybrid’s battery ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.
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Is the Highlander Hybrid’s 35 mpg figure accurate?
According to the EPA, the mid-size hybrid SUV’s standard front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration can achieve up to 36 miles per gallon (mpg) on city streets and 35 mpg on the interstate. In contrast, the Highlander Hybrid returns 35 mpg in city driving and 34 to 35 mpg on the interstate when fitted with the optional Electronic All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.
The enormous 17.1-gallon gasoline tank and outstanding EPA-estimated mpg ratings of the eight-seater hybrid SUV assure that you won’t have to worry about making numerous visits at the petrol station. Additionally, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2022 has an EV driving mode that reduces fuel consumption by combining electric and gasoline power.
Does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid have too little power?
Even though it occasionally seems underpowered, it does the job. The brake pedal feels linear and consistent, unlike in other hybrid vehicles. There are few comparisons in terms of fuel economy. The hybrid Highlander offers 3536 mpg in combined city/highway fuel economy, compared to the majority of V-6 Highlander vehicles’ roughly 23 mpg.
Is buying a hybrid car worthwhile?
Making the decision to purchase a hybrid vehicle in Canada might involve a number of factors. Overall, if you purchase a car that costs about the same as one with a combustion engine, you are far more likely to begin saving money on petrol each month, making it worthwhile to own a hybrid.
Why not reduce your environmental impact while avoiding as many unpleasant trips to the petrol station? Win-win situation.
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How quiet is the Toyota Highlander hybrid?
Although this hybrid can be a little slow when passing cars on the freeway, the Highlander Hybrid features a smooth powertrain that pushes the SUV along with reasonable ease. The CVT operates similarly to a conventional automatic transmission, but when you apply a lot of pressure, it makes a loud droning noise.
What distinguishes a Highlander Hybrid from a standard Highlander?
The Hybrid Highlander’s engine performance and fuel efficiency stand out as the most notable differences between it and the gas-powered variant. The Highlander Hybrid has a better fuel economy rating than the basic model, as suggested by its name. Additionally, it provides up to 243 net combined horsepower for your commute through Long Branch.
The Highlander is larger than the RAV4 by how much.
It’s obvious that the Highlander is a larger SUV than the RAV4, but by how much? The Highlander has an overall length of 197.4 inches and a wheelbase length of 112 inches for its exterior dimensions. The RAV4 is larger overall, measuring 181.5 inches, and its wheelbase is longer, measuring 104.7 inches.
The Highlander has significantly greater internal room due to its huge size. It has a total passenger volume of 141.3 cu ft and can hold up to eight people. In contrast, the RAV4 can accommodate five passengers and has a total passenger volume of 98.9 cu ft. Additionally, the Highlander has greater room for storage thanks to its maximum load capacity of 84.3 cubic feet as opposed to the RAV4’s 69.8 cubic feet.
What are the drawbacks of a hybrid vehicle?
Hybrids are less heavily built, more financially advantageous, and have a greater resale value. They also charge themselves through regenerative braking. Although they have drawbacks, their benefits sometimes outweigh them.
Eco-friendly: Because hybrids have both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, they utilize less fossil fuel and emit less greenhouse gases as a result. Additionally, they get better gas mileage than regular cars do.
Financial advantages: Tax credits and incentives for hybrid vehicle owners and buyers have been implemented by numerous governments throughout the world. Additionally, they are not subject to environmental fees.
Higher resale value: People are becoming more inclined to switch to hybrids as they become weary of gas price swings and care about the environment. As a result, these automobiles’ resale value keeps rising.
Lighter cars: Because hybrids are made of lightweight materials, they use less energy to operate. Their lighter weight and smaller engines also aid in energy conservation.
Regenerative braking: Hybrid vehicles use a mechanism known as regenerative braking that allows the battery to somewhat recharge whenever the driver applies the brakes. The method extends the amount of time between manual recharges for the driver.
Less power: Hybrid vehicles combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine, with the gasoline engine acting as the primary source of power. As a result, neither the gasoline engine nor the electric motor operate as effectively as they do in standard gasoline or electric cars. But regular drivers who often navigate the city do just fine with hybrid vehicles.
Hybrids are generally more expensive to purchase than regular vehicles at first.
Higher operating costs: Due to their engine and the constant advancement of technology, it may be difficult to locate a technician with the necessary skills. Additionally, they might charge you a little bit more for upkeep and repairs. Moreover, replacing the battery has the highest running cost.
Poor handling: Compared to normal vehicles, hybrids have additional machinery, which adds weight and lowers fuel economy. In order to save weight, hybrid car makers had to create smaller engines and batteries. However, the vehicle’s power and body and suspension support are reduced as a result.
Risk of electrocution: Because hybrid batteries have a high voltage, there is a higher chance that accident victims and first responders will be electrocuted.
A hybrid vehicle combines an electric motor with a gas or diesel engine. When the car is moving at a slower pace, the electric motor drives the wheels. As the speed of the car increases, the gas engine takes over. The batteries are also charged by the motor, and each time the driver applies the brakes, regenerative braking charges the batteries.
Are hybrid Highlanders dependable?
Having only two models with complaints for an SUV that is almost 20 years old is a pretty good sign of a reliable car.
As a result, searching for a Toyota Highlander on the secondhand market is a terrific idea. It routinely receives favorable ratings for its faultless performance, comfortable ride, high level of dependability, and ample power.
Minor drawbacks like a cramped third-row seating arrangement and a greater price are simpler to overlook when the Highlander Hybrid performs so well overall.
Even better, as seen below, you can effectively flip a coin to determine which year to purchase:
- Highlander Hybrid 2014
- Highlander Hybrid 2015
- Highlander Hybrid 2012
- Highlander Hybrid 2018
- Highlander Hybrid from 2013
- Highlander Hybrid from 2007
- Highlander Hybrid from 2011
- Highlander Hybrid 2010
- Highlander Hybrid 2016
- Highlander Hybrid 2017
- Highlander Hybrid 2019
- Highlander Hybrid from 2009
- Highlander Hybrid 2020
2010 would have to be the year we picked as the most problematic from the list above. Even then, there aren’t many complaints that have been filed.
Nevertheless, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) claims that the service brakes have a history of issues, according to CarComplaints. The ABS not functioning when the brakes are applied is most notable.
CarComplaints claims that some drivers encountered soft brakes when attempting to stop. Making matters worse, the typical cost to fix this problem is close to $4,200.
The 2013 Highlander Hybrid also has a few complaints about the brakes and electronic stabilizer, and the 2017 model has two complaints about engine problems.
It’s important to note that the 2017 Highlander Hybrid’s engine issues happened at incredibly low mileage. When these problems started, the typical distance was about 1455.
It’s also crucial to note that comparatively few drivers have reported these issues. Therefore, it is impossible to say for sure whether or not the typical driver has to be concerned about this.
Consumers have a long history of being satisfied with the performance and dependability of the remaining Highlander Hybrids. It follows that you are likely to have the same experience.
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