In city traffic, the V6 generally stays shut down until more power is needed or the batteries get too low on electrons. While running, the gas engine's power is used to move the vehicle and recharge the batteries.
Compared to Ford or Honda hybrids, switching between electric and gas mode has no real effects on driveability. The transition is hardly noticeable except for the sudden presence of engine sound, a slight sharpening in throttle response, and the availability of more power- and lots of it.
There is a performance gain over the standard V6 model, with a total of 269 combined horsepower available. Nail the throttle and after a very short pause, Highlander goes rocketing along with authority. Even with 5 passengers and some gear on board, there was plenty of juice- and an indicator gauge tells drivers how many kilowatts of boost are being combined with gasoline horses.
Fuel savings with no performance penalties?
It's often hard to sell a hybrid without offering some such additional benefit. It might sound as if Toyota has sweetened the deal with the Highlanders hybrid system for buyers after a machine that goes farther to deliver eco-friendly operation and excellent fuel efficiency.
Well hold your electronic ponies- because the HSD system isn't free. In fact, it isn't cheap either. The hybrid model commands a premium of $4,890 over the standard machine. Speaking from a B. Comm's point of view, you'd need to experience more than that dollar amount of cost-savings in fuel for it to be a financially viable decision.
Mileage figures
Fuel consumption was impressive for a powerful, large and capable SUV indeed. City driving yielded an average of 9.4L / 100km- in territory where comparable products use 5 or 6 L / 100km more. On the highway, the gasoline engine is always engaged and mileage climbs to 10.4L / 100km at a sustained 120 km/h. Not bad at all- keep your speed down and this figure would drop.
The overall test average after a few hundred kilometers was about 10L / 100km- the same as a VW GTI.
Compared to Ford or Honda hybrids, switching between electric and gas mode has no real effects on driveability. The transition is hardly noticeable except for the sudden presence of engine sound, a slight sharpening in throttle response, and the availability of more power- and lots of it.
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| The gauges feature a Kilowatt output indicator as well as a charge-assist meter. |
There is a performance gain over the standard V6 model, with a total of 269 combined horsepower available. Nail the throttle and after a very short pause, Highlander goes rocketing along with authority. Even with 5 passengers and some gear on board, there was plenty of juice- and an indicator gauge tells drivers how many kilowatts of boost are being combined with gasoline horses.
Fuel savings with no performance penalties?
It's often hard to sell a hybrid without offering some such additional benefit. It might sound as if Toyota has sweetened the deal with the Highlanders hybrid system for buyers after a machine that goes farther to deliver eco-friendly operation and excellent fuel efficiency.
Well hold your electronic ponies- because the HSD system isn't free. In fact, it isn't cheap either. The hybrid model commands a premium of $4,890 over the standard machine. Speaking from a B. Comm's point of view, you'd need to experience more than that dollar amount of cost-savings in fuel for it to be a financially viable decision.
Mileage figures
Fuel consumption was impressive for a powerful, large and capable SUV indeed. City driving yielded an average of 9.4L / 100km- in territory where comparable products use 5 or 6 L / 100km more. On the highway, the gasoline engine is always engaged and mileage climbs to 10.4L / 100km at a sustained 120 km/h. Not bad at all- keep your speed down and this figure would drop.
The overall test average after a few hundred kilometers was about 10L / 100km- the same as a VW GTI.
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| The long road ahead will return an average fuel consumption of about 10L per 100 km. |