jimxo

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/06/f...cow-motor-sho/

Anyone here own a Highlander?

My wife wants to trade up to a new SUV but not sure which one. The new RX is not on our list, but the new Highlander looks interesting.

Is the Hybrid worth the extra money and how reliable are they after the battery runs out.

Fizzboy7

Like most Toyotas/Lexi, you can't go wrong with a Highlander. That is, if you can get past it's lifelessness. Also bare in mind, it's getting a facelift very soon.
The reports I've read state you'd have to drive the thing a very long time to recover the extra cost of the hybrid. Maybe things have improved there recently, but generally speaking, these hybrids don't pay for themselves until a good 5-8 years of high mileage ownership. Batteries are built very well and there have been no known problems. Again, you can't go wrong with it, if you are okay with the styling and blandness.

mmarshall

I did a recent full-review of one, but not the Hybrid model:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...ighlander.html

RXSF

just curious why the new RX isnt on the list?

If you are kind of interested in the hybrid model, it is worth looking into if you want the newest tech in automotive technology, silent motoring at low speeds, and having a little bit of "doing good for the earth" mentality. Dont buy it if you are looking to save money.

Like others have said, you cant go wrong with any toyota model. And if you buy up to the limited/hybrid grade, its almost as good as a lexus product.

jimxo

My wife wants something with a little more room. Not as much luxury now that the kids are more active.

We have 2000 GM dollars thru a credit card but GM has nothing worth buying.

The Ford Edge looks interesting but the Highlander may be the way to go.

IS-SV

RX is more expensive (and lacks 3rd row seat for those that want it).

We have some CL members with significant hybrid ownership experience that should chime in.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

The 2011 Highlander info is not up yet.

It will receive some minor cosmetic changes/refreshes, and the Hybrid may change from the old 3.3L technology (same as the RX400h) to the newer 3.5L powertrain found on the RX450h.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

My daughter has a '10 loaded Limited.
Nice vehicle with nice ride and size.
Sometimes I wish I bought the Limited.No black leather,though.

J.P.

wife just looked at a limited highlander, talking roughly 35k with nav, nice looking ride

For GMC, brother in law has an arcadia that is pretty damn roomy, interior is nice

mikemareen

acadia is pretty nice and big , I take a used acadia over a highlander 6banger if the fuel mpg was similar.

mikemareen

the 6 cylinder hybrids don't make any financial sense yet, as the gains u get in mpg do not add up to the additional cost for the hybrid functionality.

if u can get past the branding, do yourself a favor and check out the new kia sorento. the design might surprise u.

SLegacy99

That's funny because ours has already paid for itself.

LexFather

Funny my wife and myself think there is more to 6 cylinder hybrids than gas savings.

What do we know. I should have gotten a Sonata and her a Sorento

mikemareen

how long did it take ? i guess if your coming from a full size gmc 12 cylinder, then yeah it will pay off fast yeah ?

other than that, care to tell me how else it has paid off ?

IS-SV

Being a Lexus hybrid it paid off in many ways including:

. luxury/comfort/reliability/retained value
. smooth/refined/high-powered performance
. low emissions/good fuel efficiency for SUV

You don't need to trade-in a huge pos GMC truck to appreciate above dividends.