I'm helping my parents research vehicles and they seem to really like the Highlander. However, I'm not sure they are convinced of the merits of going with the hybrid version. Anything you would recommend I tell them that might help sway them? (an environmental argument definitely wouldn't resonate with them) After doing the math it doesn't seem like the hybrid version would pencil out financially compared to equally furnished RegHi. Thanks for any input!
New or used? Are you basing the payoff on current gas prices or likely future gas prices? Have they driven both? I personally can't stand a regular automatic transmission after the smoothness of my Prius (and Escape Hybrid before it). Manual is still my favorite, but not many hybrid options...
In general the Hybrid is a desirable higher end option that gives (HyCam for exmaple) more power and better driver ratings. It costs more, but you get a better car and it potentially pays for itself at least partially in fuel savings. I don't think they live in northern VA but if they did, there would be a helluva annual car tax on a HyHi so I don't think we see too many new ones, even though we are in an affluent region. You'd probably pay about 20% taxes here on a HyHi here if you kept it 8-10 yrs.
i don't see the value, if not emissions and oil. especially in highway driving. test drive would help them understand the smoothness of the hybrid system and power.
New Even at $4 per gallon (live in midwest where gas on average is less than national average) it still wouldn't make sense from a purely financial standpoint.
this is really a major reason why alternative fuel vehicles are only 3-4% of the market. most people are looking purely at economics, which makes sense. sorry to sidetrack mark!
Ya, it's a tough sell. I mean, it's not like they are against being green or anything like that. They just think like the vast majority of Americans, and to be honest, a lot of us on here.
I am very happy with our used highlander hybrid purchase, I found the hybrid premium was very low on used compared to new.
Depending on whether you you want to power the entire house or just the essential, a non-hybrid can do the job.
The first gen HiHy and all the RX hybrids have a 2WD version. Same with the gas ones. The OP didn't mention towing, but in order to tow with the hybrids, Toyota only lists a capacity with the 4WD models.
