Bundle up
One problem though.
Hybrids use their electric drive systems to reduce the required efforts of their gas-burning engine. But said efforts of the gas-burning engine are what heats the cabin in wintertime.
You can see where I’m going with this.
In several instances, the HiHy’s V6 furnace took a nap while your correspondent sat, heat cranked, waiting for the cabin to warm up. On the highway, the gas engine runs constantly and there’s heat-a-plenty. But at fifteen below in city driving, it could take 10 minutes or more for the cabin to get nice and toasty. Drive in EV mode for a minute or two, and the engine loses piles of heat from its coolant, too.
So, bring those big clumsy winter gloves.
Minor Gripes
Other gripes were limited, mainly, to strange pedal inputs. The electronic throttle applies itself gently, even if drivers jam the rightmost pedal to, say, clear a snowbank. Brakes are powerful, though the pedal itself is numb and the ABS action can’t be felt through it-- so you’ll have to trust the system is working.
Finally, though the cabin is nicely assembled and mainly good to look at, I found the plastic steering wheel and shift knob a little out of place given pricing north of $40,000.
Of course, gripes like these will hold little weight with shoppers after
a family crossover that want to do their part for the environment and curb fuel usage significantly.
If you’re after a big comfortable 4x4 that turns in mileage like a smaller family sedan, the Highlander Hybrid is ready for test-drives now.
One problem though.
Hybrids use their electric drive systems to reduce the required efforts of their gas-burning engine. But said efforts of the gas-burning engine are what heats the cabin in wintertime.
You can see where I’m going with this.
In several instances, the HiHy’s V6 furnace took a nap while your correspondent sat, heat cranked, waiting for the cabin to warm up. On the highway, the gas engine runs constantly and there’s heat-a-plenty. But at fifteen below in city driving, it could take 10 minutes or more for the cabin to get nice and toasty. Drive in EV mode for a minute or two, and the engine loses piles of heat from its coolant, too.
So, bring those big clumsy winter gloves.
 |
| If you’re after a big comfortable 4x4 that turns in mileage like a smaller family sedan, the Highlander Hybrid is ready for test-drives now. (Photo: Justin Pritchard/Auto123.com) |
Minor Gripes
Other gripes were limited, mainly, to strange pedal inputs. The electronic throttle applies itself gently, even if drivers jam the rightmost pedal to, say, clear a snowbank. Brakes are powerful, though the pedal itself is numb and the ABS action can’t be felt through it-- so you’ll have to trust the system is working.
Finally, though the cabin is nicely assembled and mainly good to look at, I found the plastic steering wheel and shift knob a little out of place given pricing north of $40,000.
Of course, gripes like these will hold little weight with shoppers after
a family crossover that want to do their part for the environment and curb fuel usage significantly.
If you’re after a big comfortable 4x4 that turns in mileage like a smaller family sedan, the Highlander Hybrid is ready for test-drives now.
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