Toyota studying 7-seat US Prius

The chassis is the same, but Lexus has done many things to it to make it different (like the Acura RDX). The NX will not share any powerplant (turbo 2.0l instead of na 2.5l). Guess Lexus wanted to something more powerful to compete with Acura/BMW/Merc with this new CUV. Even Lexus said their other SUV/CUV are too big for some of their potential customers.

 

No turbo for the hybrid. NX300h will use the same 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder/hybrid system found in the ES300h.

 

I was talking about the non-hybrid version. That is how much changes the NX will have compare to just rebadging like the Camry/ES.

 

Granted my quoted comments were from 3 years ago, but not all that much has changed. In fact, the Highlander Hybrids are much pricier now with the bigger 2014 models. In Limited-only trim, its true competition is probably the newer QX60 hybrid. The Pathfinder Hybrid is now the "bargain" 7-passenger hybrid.

Sure, but as most Prius drivers know, the beauty of a true hybrid is not only in good EPA estimates, but even moreso the potential to [sometimes greatly] exceed them with a few hybrid driving tips. That is something much more difficult for a typical driver to achieve in a vehicle like the Explorer, especially if most of your driving is around the suburbs or even stop-and-go commuting in an urban area.

I had the C-Max for a week and reviewed it also. I didn't have any problems with the fuel economy; it did quite well for me. I liked it a bit better overall than our Prius, in fact. It's not really competition for the Highlander Hybrid, though. It's only a little bigger than Prius and barely seats 5.

If I was buying a 7+ passenger vehicle today, it would likely be a Pathfinder Hybrid base model or a Honda Odyssey. Toyota priced the new Highlander Hybrid way too high and didn't make any effort to increase fuel economy. It's still a great vehicle, though. If only they'd make me an even swap in exchange for being their safety spokesperson or something...

 

I can't get close to epa in my prius unless I'm on a trip for 8 months out of the year. That start up penalty is a killer for me. Still there isn't that huge hybrid cost that there exists on the hyhi or RXh

my mom had a convertable when I was growing up. Really most of those folks don't need the space of a RXh or hyhi, and if they are concered about fuel economy can downsize. I expect the new lexus NXh will get better mileage and have less of a hybrid premium. If you do need room for 7 or 8 might you not go for a diesel or non-hybrid that is less expensive.

Yep agree completely. Its the hybrid system that they chose that made it hard to get the price down or mpgs up. Do a 7 seater from the ground up to be good fuel economy and put a lower priced lower powered hybrid system in there and they have a chance.

 

Dang- we get above EPA from May through October. April and November a wash. Winter just sucks with all our short trips running the kids to school and errands, often down to 40 mpg on some tanks, but still about 49-50 mpg overall average year-round. I get a couple mpg above EPA in my Highlander Hybrid average year round also, though it's pretty flat here. When temps get in the 60-80 range, like it is now, I'm usually way above the estimates since I can keep the heater or A/C use to a minimum and it's a lot easier to keep it in EV mode. For example, the 2014 Highlander Hybrid I'm reviewing now is at 37+ mpg after over 200 miles around town so far. In comparison, the previous vehicle I reviewed last week, a compact Outlander V6/AWD rated at 20c/28h/23 couldn't even manage 18mpg around town in very similar conditions.

Downsizing is not as easy for everyone as it sounds, especially with a family of 5 or more. There's often a friend or grandparent or someone else riding along, too. If you have young kids, you also have a stroller and gear in addition to a haul of groceries from Costco. A 5-passenger vehicle just doesn't cut it on many trips. Heck, even with just our 3-kids crammed into the back of the Prius, I'm sometimes reluctant to take them all for ice cream. Maybe our kids are spoiled exceptions, but keeping TOUCHING to a minimum is almost necessary for safe driving and my sanity. The Highlander solves that issue around town, but on the road we have to add a hitch carrier for luggage, something never needed in the Odyssey. I downsized from an Odyssey and still miss the space and convenience.

Is there a 7 or 8 passenger diesel that comes close to the interior space and fuel efficiency of the Highlander Hybrid or Pathfinder? As for the difference in cost, that would depend on how nice the vehicle is, how many miles you drive and where.

For example, I know the Q7 and GL-Class are a bit larger than the 2014 Highlander and have diesels with only slightly lower fuel economy, but they sure won't save you any money!

The 21c/28h/24 Mazda 5 is a bargain for good fuel economy, but it's quite a bit smaller than Highlander or Pathfinder.

I still find the 19c/28h/22 Honda Odyssey to be among the best family haulers with above average fuel economy and it sells for a more reasonable price starting a little less than a non-hybrid Highlander. If I knew I'd be driving so much less over the last few years, I'd have never traded my Odyssey for the Highlander Hybrid. But I do like the Highlander Hybrid a lot more;-)