Hey all - I recently sold 1 of our 2 Prius vs and now I'm looking for a similarly reliable and economical vehicle but larger and that sits higher up. Any suggestions? I'm currently looking at some 2nd gen (2008-2010) Highlander hybrids but have very little experience with them. Some people on YT say they're the best vehicles ever made while others say to never buy one. Anyone have thoughts/opinions about the 2nd gen Highlander hybrids? I know I won't find any SUV that gets me 42 mpgs like the Prius, but I'd like to find something in the 24-30 mpg range that can also rack up a lot of miles on regularly scheduled maintenance. For what it's worth, I have a budget of $10k. Thanks in advance!
LOL! Yeah, that's probably true, huh? I see quite a few 2008-2010 Highlander Hybrids near me for <$9k with 150k+ miles. The year and miles wouldn't scare me on a Prius, but I have no idea about the longevity of the Highlander Hybrids in comparison to the Prius.
You won't get the mpg out of a Highlander new or old. Plus it will be expensive to maintain as major issues appear. While its not intuitive, a three year old Rav4 hybrid with 40 mpg will check your boxes but you would have to finance. The cost of ownership could be the same as the Prius v worth $10k today. But with $10k as down payment and a max of 48 months financing, you will always have positive equity and your vehicle reliability will be high. If you have stable income, go that route. If you have bad credit, do it anyway but make driving your credit way up part of the equation.
Appreciate the response! I'm not against financing, though I always try to go the route of buying outright first. Rav4s don't seem to offer much more cargo space than a Prius v, right? Google tells me 69 cubic feet vs 67 cubic feet. I feel like that won't provide the additional space I'm looking for in comparison to the Prius v I just sold. I have a coworker who went from a Prius v to a Rav4 hybrid and she said she didn't notice any additional cargo space but obviously the Rav4 sits much higher.
You need to drive one. Ideally a 2020 with the hood insulation which you can add to the first year 2019. Performance is far better than a v when you step on it, the flakey gen3 1.8L technology is long gone with the 2.5L and the safety tech is standard. The first hospital visit you avoid for one of your family members will make you realize the payments were inconsequential.
My mom has a 2011 Lexus rx450h AWD. It’s been flawless! We’ve changed all the fluids, and filters and really keep up with the maintenance. It has 195,000 now and has never had an issue! it gets about 26-28 on regular fuel. Not bad for a AWD luxury barge. Doesn’t burn a drop of oil either
Take the 10K and put it down on a 2021 Sienna Hybrid. TONS of space AND it get 36mpg. Not bad for a box on wheels... FWIW, I have a 2004 Sienna with 378K mikes on it... It's my "pickup truck"... ha
I second the Lexus RX450 Hybrid Awd. It's high off the ground and has bullet proof engine design. Awd can get you anywhere on snow, rain and dirt roads in comfort and style. 2011-2013 is around your price range. The mpg is that bad 25-30 highway/city. 3.5l v6 front wheel only with hybrid systems which runs the rear only hence the AWD Android ?
Thanks for this info! Had no idea about the Lexus RX450hs. Going to test drive a 2010 RX450h with 140k miles listed for $12,500 tomorrow. Looks like it checks all the boxes except that it's not much larger than the Prius v - but still plenty big enough.
Thanks for this info! Had no idea about the Lexus RX450hs. Going to test drive a 2010 RX450h with 140k miles listed for $12,500 tomorrow. Looks like it checks all the boxes except that it's not much larger than the Prius v - but still plenty big enough.
Neighbor just purchased a hybrid F-150. I was all excited to ask him about his MPG. I was disappointed...he only gets 22-23 MPG going 'highway speeds' ( 70+ ) and around 24 in the city. Ouch...I was expecting better but I'm sure my expectations were way too high. I'm really hoping the upcoming Ford Maverick hybrid will go much better ( it should ). On the bright side, He is a first time hybrid driver and likes it...so that's progress! Have you looked into the Lexus ct200h? That is probably too small for your needs though but thought I'd mention it. BTW - Slightly off topic, but related to vehicle size, were on a short road trip in my wife's Elantra GT hatchback. Her 'hatchback' is larger than some of these so called 'crossover' vehicles! I get a kick out of that. I guess the word 'hatchback' is taboo in the American market these days...
I believe that Lexus might use the same power plant as the 2012-2014 Prius V's. I know for certain the EGR cooler has the same part number as my 2013 V, anyway. No other Toyota vehicles use that exact EGR cooler. I would research into oil consumption and head gasket issues before buying a CT200.
The hybrid system in the CT200H is almost exactly the same as the Gen 3 Prius and Prius v wagon. Interesting you mention head gasket failure...because the head gasket is failing on my 2012 Prius v wagon with around 168K. Discussion starting here in my thread : Hi all, new Prius v owner | Page 11 | PriusChat
Funny enough my sister just bought a loaded 2006 highlander hybrid AWD. It has 250k and runs so smooth. It averages 27-29 pretty easily, even I was surprised! She’s wanted one for years, so she finally decided to buy one. She had to find something to replace her 2010 Prius with a blown head gasket (already on its second engine due to the first one blowing it’s gasket too)
My moms RX450H. It will be hitting 200k soon. We got about 5 inches of snow on top of almost 2 inches of sleet/ice. I couldn’t get it stuck! All season tires too.
Any idea on the tires? I've found tires make *all* the difference...even in the all season class. Last winter we had Yokohama Avid Ascent GT's put on...and wow...it's like driving a different vehicle. 100 times better in the snow vs. the absolute garbage OEM Kumho tires!
They are Michelin, I think defenders? The RX450H also has a snow mode that puts more electric power to the rear motor, and dulls throttle response. (It wasn’t even needed!)
