While it doesn't affect your conclusion, I can pretty much guarantee you that gas won't be $4/gal in 5-10 years.

 

The clinching factor for me was anecdotal experience. My father has a 2009 Highlander Hybrid. He bought an extended Toyota warranty, thankfully, for 6 years.

At 5 years, 11 months, and 1 week the SUV died in the middle of highway traffic while going 110km/hr. Power inverter blew. We learned the inverter is built into the battery. Repair and replacement cost? $11k. Thankfully, covered...but only due to the extended warranty.

While its a 6 year old hybrid system -- and I'm sure Toyota has improved the design in that time -- we're still on the 2nd generation of the technology as a mainstream design paradigm.

Its the same reason I avoided the entry level German sports sedans (bmw 3 series, audi a4s) -- they're now using turbo V4s, and I'm sure those will have numerous growing pains. The A4s have oil consumption problems ever since the redesign in 2009....they STILL haven't resolved it.

A mature, reliable, powerful v6 was a much better strategic choice at the time of purchase. I also appreciate the extra trunk space.

 

I don't have a hybrid, but I thought the warranty on the system was 8 years/100k miles. No?

 

Lexus powertrain is 6 years/70K miles, and hybrid system is 8 years/100K miles. Not sure about Toyota, but I'm sure similar for hybrid system.

 

I did a search and the Toyota warranty on the hybrid system is the same as Lexus.

 

For Canada its 8 years / 160k km according to the website. Anyone know if that's always been the case? Was the power inverter always included?

I'll check with my old man... he definitely had the complete battery and inverter fail, as for coverage maybe I got the story wrong.