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.
In This Article...
Is buying a hybrid Highlander worthwhile?
The Highlander Hybrid is an excellent SUV, yes. Its comfortable ride, spirited motor, and excellent fuel efficiency for a midsize SUV all contribute to its suitability as a daily commuter. Additionally, it has a luxurious cabin with an easy-to-use infotainment system.
What does the term “hybrid” in the Toyota Highlander mean?
You never plug the Highlander Hybrid in, unlike an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid. Instead, whenever the gasoline engine is working, the electric motors’ battery is recharged. Additionally, the battery may charge by converting braking friction into electricity through a technique known as regenerative braking.
For many purchasers, not having to plug in the Highlander Hybrid will be a pleasant convenience. However, some people will long for the extra range with zero emissions that plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) can offer. They feature larger batteries that enable you to travel at full speed for about 20 kilometers without using any electricity. However, you won’t find many three-row PHEVs unless you upgrade to a pricey luxury vehicle like the Volvo XC90 Recharge or choose for the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, a plug-in minivan, in exchange for giving up all-wheel drive and SUV aesthetics.
How long does the battery on 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.
Shopping around on the Jerry app is a wonderful place to start if you want to save some money for a new battery.
Jerry is a certified insurance broker who can quickly get quotations from more than 50 highly regarded insurers. Jerry can assist you with purchasing new insurance and canceling your old policy if you discover a fantastic deal. Every year, users save $887 on average.
The Highlander Hybrid has an electric-only mode.
The Highlander Hybrid provides a variety of customizable driving modes so you can customize its performance: Normal for general driving, Eco for the most fuel-efficient performance, Sport for faster acceleration, EV Mode, which enables short-distance, low-speed electric-only driving, and Trail Mode, which provides AWD vehicles even more
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.
Does the Toyota Highlander hybrid require an electrical outlet?
There is no need to plug in the Toyota hybrid’s nickel-metal hydride HV battery. This is due to the fact that the battery is constantly being recharged, either by the electric motor during acceleration and regenerative braking, or by the gas engine while the vehicle is in cruising mode via the generator.
Do hybrid automobiles have higher maintenance costs?
Does maintaining a hybrid vehicle cost more than maintaining a standard gasoline-powered vehicle? No, unless when it malfunctions, of course. Regular upkeep and minor repairs for a hybrid vehicle are typically no more expensive than for a conventional vehicle. In reality, they might even be lower. However, you might have to pay a lot of money if something goes wrong with the hybrid system of the automobile after the warranty has run out.
Customers question whether the improved gas mileage of hybrids actually saves them money because they are more expensive upfront than normal automobiles of comparable size. The answer relies on a number of variables, including gas prices, how frequently you drive, and how long you retain the automobile.
Typically, maintenance expenditures shouldn’t be considered heavily in the financial calculations. A hybrid’s gasoline engine needs the same upkeep as any other car’s. Early hybrid owners were forced to go to dealerships, which are occasionally more expensive, because few repair shops were willing to work on them. More mechanics are qualified and ready to work on hybrid vehicles today.
A hybrid car may require less regular maintenance than a conventional vehicle. When the car is stationary or moving at low speeds, the gas engine shuts off and the electric motor takes over. This implies that the engine experiences less deterioration. Oil changes are advised at 5,000 miles (8,046 kilometers) rather than the 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) that mechanics advise for many comparable automobiles on smaller hybrids in particular.
Because of the hybrids’ regenerative braking mechanism and the reduced heat generated, brakes and brake pads typically last significantly longer.
The majority of hybrid vehicles don’t require any extra routine maintenance on the hybrid system. The Ford Escape hybrid is an exception, as its electric battery system’s air filter needs to be changed every 40,000 to 50,000 miles (64,373 to 80,437 kilometers).
However, there is always a chance that a specific hybrid system component, most frequently the huge battery pack, will malfunction. The typical warranty on a hybrid system for a vehicle sold today is eight years or one hundred thousand miles (160,934 kilometers) (241,402 kilometers). However, the expenditures might be astronomical if you’re unlucky and your car’s hybrid battery fails after you’ve reached those milestones. The price of a replacement hybrid battery has decreased for the most part, which is fantastic news. Early hybrid vehicles’ batteries might cost up to $8,000 at the time. Currently, budget for slightly over $2,000 today.
Is buying a hybrid car worthwhile?
Take the difference in purchase price and divide it by the difference in annual fuel cost to determine whether a hybrid is cost-effective. That will tell you how many years of driving it will take to make up for the higher initial cost of a hybrid.
Can conventional gas be used in a hybrid vehicle?
You definitely have a lot of questions if you’re new to the hybrid world. The most important question to ask is probably: Is there anything specific to do when operating a hybrid vehicle? The answer is no, but there are several ways to make sure you’re using the car effectively. See below for some driving advice from Toyota!
Does a hybrid car use gas?
Hybrid vehicles do burn fuel. You can refuel your hybrid vehicle the same way you refueled your conventional gasoline vehicle if you’re the proud owner of one. Due to the fact that hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery, some of the power does need to come from fuel. Hybrids may, of course, also run entirely on electricity, but you’ll want to have gas on hand just in case.
Can I plug in my Toyota hybrid model in a regular outlet?
If I get a hybrid, is there a unique way to charge it at home? may be one of the most urgent queries. No, that’s not the answer. If you were to buy a Toyota Prius, for example, you could just plug it into the outlet in your garage (a standard 120-volt). Although there are other, more effective ways to accomplish this, additional materials are not strictly necessary.
Do hybrids require premium fuel?
Myth 1: Only a certain type or octane of gasoline may be used to power a hybrid. False! The complete line-up of Toyota hybrid vehicles operates on unleaded gasoline of the same quality.
What occurs if the battery in a hybrid automobile runs out?
It is entirely possible to operate one without the other, with various degrees of success, in hybrids since they use both ICE and EV systems. The vehicle will automatically switch to the ICE drive and use gasoline or diesel to continue operating if you chance to run out of battery power. The battery will then begin to recharge on its own at that point. This implies that you won’t need to worry about the battery charge as long as your car is fueled.
How long does hybrid battery last?
You will save tens of thousands of dollars annually on fuel thanks to a hybrid battery. Others rush to fill up at the petrol stations. You use the garage outlet to charge your car and go to the gas stations half as often as your neighbor.
However, you will eventually need to pay money to either fix or replace the pricey hybrid battery that has been so helpful to you for thousands of miles.
The majority of hybrid vehicle producers claim that a battery will last 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. However, hybrid owners have reported that some batteries live up to 150,000 miles and even up to 200,000 miles with the proper maintenance and fundamental vehicle repairs.
An owner typically keeps a hybrid vehicle for 5 to 15 years when the battery mileage is high.