So i have noticed something recently. The 2009 TCH I drive is exactly the same specs to the 2007 TCH, except for the size of the Hybrid Traction Motor I think .. I remember seeing the 2007 having about 10 more hp from that electric motor, as compared to the 2009 TCH. So my question for understanding is.. Why would Toyota drop the output of the electric motor? The 09 should get 33/34mpg, while the 07 should get 40/38mpg. That's quite the difference for the same car (just about). I get about 28mpg in the city and 35mpg on a good trip on the highway. Any insight on this? Would trading from the 09 to the 07 be a good difference..? hm...

 

Talljetman2,

The way the EPA ratings were done changed for the 2008 model year. The 2007, 2008 and 2009 are EXACTLY the same as far as the engines, traction motor and battery as well as MG1 and MG2

 

Ok, so the MPG rating system may have changed. I keep seeing owners on here that post high MPG numbers with their 07's, and a tad lower with the 09's. I looked up the car specs again and the 2007 TCH has the exact same 4-cylinder engine as the 2009 TCH, except that the 07 electric motor is 45hp, for a net 192 hp, and the 09 electric motor is 40hp, for a net 187hp. I am wondering if even 5hp makes the difference, esp with a lot of city driving, like I do.

 

My obsevation is there is no difference.
2007: net 187hp, MG2 105kW, battery 40hp
2009: net 187hp, MG2 105kW, battery 40hp
http://pressroom.toyota.com/presstxt...Hybrid_sfo.pdf

Ken@Japan

 

Well that could be because those with the 2007s have broken them in and might be able to better take advantage of hybrid driving due to 2 additional (or so) of practice. I know my mpg got a *little* better. But over all I am 33.6 total average with the 2007.

 

We own one of each. If there's any material difference, I've never noticed it.

Wouldn't be surprised if whatever tires are on the vehicle account for any real-world MPG differences in the database. I don't know how Toyota decides what tires come with what vehicles. My wife's '07 came with Michelins, mine with the Bridgestones.

Despite the 2-year difference in official model years, they're only 6 months apart in real age...

 

The climate of the owners can affect MPG postings as well. If you live in a mild climate where you don't need AC/Heat very much or at all you will get better MPG than those of us who live in hot humid climates where living with out AC really isn't an option.

In early October we exeperienced some very pleasant weather for about two weeks and I didn't use the AC at all - just cracked open the sunroof a little, and I got about 3MPG better for that tank.

 

I have a 2007. It's rated as 40hp for the electric motor and a combined 187hp. I can't find the 192hp you reference anywhere.

 

Before toyota started selling the 09' model the rating was 192 total hp for the 08' TCH.
I know for a fact that they changed the rating for the 09' model.
another thing that was changed is the headlights on the XLE V6,
six months ago the toyota website sait it has xenon headlights and now only halogen as standart...

correct me if I was wrong..

 

I don't know about the '08s but here is Toyota's specifications for the '07:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/presstxt...ryHybrid_s.pdf

It's the same as the '09 in ken1784's link for the '09.

It would seem odd they would bump up the HP for 08 and then back down for the '09.