First Look at the Highlander Hybrid
To 'ute or not to 'ute? That is the question. There are many arguments for and against SUVs. Most are subjective, but there's one that it's hard to argue with: Fuel economy. SUVs are generally bigger, heavier and less aerodynamic than cars; ergo, they use more fuel.Toyota's Prius has been making headlines for its superior fuel economy. While real-world results usually aren't as stellar as the car's official EPA numbers, the Prius still gets outstanding gas mileage.
But does the same system work in an SUV?
You'd better believe it.
My observed fuel economy -- between 25 and 28 MPG in town and 24 to 30 MPG on the road -- is better than any SUV I've driven and on a par with many cars.
And it's better for the environment -- when the Highlander Hybrid isn't using its gasoline engine, such as when you are stopped at a light or coasting downhill, it shuts the engine off. It's nice to know that when I'm creeping along in bumper-to-bumper traffic that I'm not contributing to the strip of brown smog that hangs over LA's freeways.
