SEMA 2006 All-Electric SUV - Popular Mechanics Hers more

 

Sorry- I meant to post this stuff under the hymotion battery kit posting

 

Check out the Toyota Philippines website (www.toyota.com.ph) for the new Toyota Innova. It replaced a similar design (Highlander locally called Toyota REVO).

 

Fortuner Toyota - Fortuner maybe it will look like this.Fortuner

 

"Hosed by the media hype" or BURNED by the ****-poor fuel economy. Rated @ 33MPG but according to this sites own database of thousands of HyHi owners, the 4x4 version does NO better than 26MPG. That's an AVERAGE, not one or two people "claims" of superior FE. IMHO Toyota should be SUED for being allowed to claim this truck gets 33MPG when IT IS NOT POSSIBLE!!!

 

They should have claimed UP-TO 33 MPG It seems a few people have had tanks up to 33mpg or more. A rare happining although I've had 30

 

"Up to"... That's not the way the EPA model was developed. IF I was going downhill 90% of the time I could get "up to" 70MPG but the system is SUPPOSE to show what the AVERAGE driver's results would be. By your own adminssion, 33MPG is not "average" (or even reasonable). Personally, I think there WILL be a lawsuit...eventually. Who knows, I may still even own this waste of money at the time. How many of us would like to buy things with one perception and then get 75% of what we bought and just go .....OK. Buy a Rolex and be only able to tell time from 12:00 until 9:00? Buy a four bedroom house and they build only 3 bedrooms and you go...OK. This deficency is "un-acceptable IMHO. If there's a case action suit, I'll be at the front of the line.

 

Toyota does not claim any MPG for the Highlander. Toyota only lists the EPA tested and rated MPG as it is legally required to do so by the government. Blame the EPA on the mileage shortfall which by the way is similar for all vehicles tested by the EPA. The EPA is slated to change the testing format in the near future to make it more realistic.

By the way, the EPA rates the 4WD HiHy at 31 MPG city, 27 MPG highway, 29 MPG combined. If you are expecting 33 MPG, I can see why you would be disappointed. I have averaged 28.9 MPG over 9 full tanks of premium gas which matches the EPA combined MPG rating for this vehicle.

I personally like the Hybrid Highlander’s mix of fuel economy and power. I did not want to give up acceleration performance and that is a key reason why I now own this vehicle. This vehicle is a rocket when pushed while offering very good MPG, room for 7, towing up to 3000 lbs, excellent safety features, and top of the heap build quality.

For those who desire to squeeze the most MPG out of a 7 or 8 passenger vehicle and are willing to accept a more sluggish response from the drive train, a 4 cylinder 2008 Hybrid Highlander, if offered, should be closer to the mark. .

I have found that while your driving style is an important factor in a hybrid’s fuel mileage, the type of trips you take and the climate you take them in is also a big factor.

If you drive lots of 5 mile-or-fewer trips you will not get the best MPG. If you drive mostly on the highway at 55+MPH with few stops, you will not get the best MPG. If it is cold or hot outside, you and you use the A/C or heater, you will not get the best MPG.

The fact that some people get much better mileage than others is not necessarily due to some greater skill these drivers possess. It also has to do with their typical drive cycle. Take a long 50 mile trip in 75 degree dry weather at speeds that range between 35 and 50 miles an hour and you can easily beat the EPA ratings.

 

OK, I acknowledge the 31MPG. Lets redo the math... 31MPG and the AVERAGE is 26MPG. 31-5/26 yeilds pretty much the same percentage of shortage so my arguement remains... You could blame it on Toyota who sent the EPA guys an unusually "tuned" truck? Or because Toyota knew the details on what was tested and how it was tested thereby intentionally skewing the figures. I've heard it all. As I said, I would join a case should one come available. If you choose not to, fine. Our driving is pretty standard. No extremely short trips (5-10 minutes is not the norm). We are also VERY familiar with driving techniques and get ALWAYS gotten ABOVE average MPG on EVERY other car/truck we've ever owned. So.... it's NOT the driving style unless it's the driving style of all the other people who also contribute to that database.... The fact that some get better FE may just come down to who can lye the best rather than any empirical evidence. Afterall, this IS the internet and for some "bragging" that they get 40+ MPG is a badge of honor (even if they don't actually achieve it). BTW I HAVE taken a fairly long ride at the speeds you recommended. It's didn't change the MPG by more than 2 MPG, constantly drained the battery to it's lowest, etc...Mayeb I got a lemon maybe I got an average truck. Who knows. I DO know that the Lexus GX470 that we came from got around 20MPG around town, was SIGNIFICANTLY larger, significantly nicer than this "top of the line Limited with Navi" HyHi, had a BIG third row seat, had a nice rear entertainment system, etc. If I could have gotten the dealership to have taken this thing back and given us our old car, we would have done it in a heartbeat.

 

The new highlander should be more aerodynamic. My camry hy gets about the same MPG at 70 mph as it does at 60mph. My highlander mpg drops like a rock when i go 70mph VS 60mph. Using the old highlander body design was a poor choice IMO.....JOE