Toyota Highlander Hybrid
My wife has fallen in love with the 2013-2008 design of the Toyota Highlander as a family vehicle, so we are looking to replace our 15 year old AWD Astro van with one. I have a few questions concerning them though and want to see what you all think of a tow vehicle.
Looking at the specs of this vehicle, the V6 model appears to be very similar to an Astro van in size and capacity despite being a transverse-engine vehicle. The Higlander weights in at about the same as an Astro, wheelbase is similar too. Looking at capacities, payload is 1,800 pounds...only 200 pounds off from the Astro's 2000, and the tow capacity is 5000 pounds...same as the Astro too. Only problem is that the fuel economy is about the same 17 city, 22 highway for the AWD model (It will need to be AWD, as the Astro is) One of the reasons for getting a new vehicle is to get better fuel economy, as my wife will be driving this vehicle around town for errand running and such when we aren't on trips.
With this being the case, the hybrid model has come into focus...It's fuel mileage is 28/28...perfect, as it's city economy is only a little less than our little Yaris hatchback. The only thing is that the capacities are a bit lower...3500 pound tow, and 1500 pound payload.
We are looking to tow a Palamino Stampede 17, which I pulled across the truck-stop scale headed out to a trip once with just myself and it read 3100 pounds. With the whole family, I imagine we may be pushing close to the 3500 pound limit of the highlander. So, how well do these do towing up to the limit like that? For those of you all that tow with these, what type of fuel economy are you getting? I'm getting about 14MPG towing with my Astro, and am also hoping a newer tow vehicle will grant me another MPG or two. What is the reliability of the highlander hybrid models used in a towing situation? We would like to keep this vehicle for several years and beyond 200,000 miles. I've heard of Prius taxi cabs getting 400K on them without any issues, but they aren't towing anything.
last question, this vehicle will most likely be used on the beach in the outer banks, and for occasionally pulling a boat out of the water. The electric drive is on the rear wheels. Will getting sea water spray in the back end of the vehicle during boat launcing / recovery cause reliability problems? I reguarly drive my Astro down the ramp till the rear wheels just kiss the edge of the water to launch my fathers fishing boat, and am worried that may cause issues.
Looking at the specs of this vehicle, the V6 model appears to be very similar to an Astro van in size and capacity despite being a transverse-engine vehicle. The Higlander weights in at about the same as an Astro, wheelbase is similar too. Looking at capacities, payload is 1,800 pounds...only 200 pounds off from the Astro's 2000, and the tow capacity is 5000 pounds...same as the Astro too. Only problem is that the fuel economy is about the same 17 city, 22 highway for the AWD model (It will need to be AWD, as the Astro is) One of the reasons for getting a new vehicle is to get better fuel economy, as my wife will be driving this vehicle around town for errand running and such when we aren't on trips.
With this being the case, the hybrid model has come into focus...It's fuel mileage is 28/28...perfect, as it's city economy is only a little less than our little Yaris hatchback. The only thing is that the capacities are a bit lower...3500 pound tow, and 1500 pound payload.
We are looking to tow a Palamino Stampede 17, which I pulled across the truck-stop scale headed out to a trip once with just myself and it read 3100 pounds. With the whole family, I imagine we may be pushing close to the 3500 pound limit of the highlander. So, how well do these do towing up to the limit like that? For those of you all that tow with these, what type of fuel economy are you getting? I'm getting about 14MPG towing with my Astro, and am also hoping a newer tow vehicle will grant me another MPG or two. What is the reliability of the highlander hybrid models used in a towing situation? We would like to keep this vehicle for several years and beyond 200,000 miles. I've heard of Prius taxi cabs getting 400K on them without any issues, but they aren't towing anything.
last question, this vehicle will most likely be used on the beach in the outer banks, and for occasionally pulling a boat out of the water. The electric drive is on the rear wheels. Will getting sea water spray in the back end of the vehicle during boat launcing / recovery cause reliability problems? I reguarly drive my Astro down the ramp till the rear wheels just kiss the edge of the water to launch my fathers fishing boat, and am worried that may cause issues.
