There’s No Reason To Buy the Regular Toyota Highlander Over the Highlander Hybrid
Don't buy a regular Toyota Highlander when the hybrid option costs just a bit more.
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you're looking to get a new
SUV
, a Toyota is still a pretty safe bet
—one made more appealing when you learn more about its relatively affordable alternative powertrain.A do-it-all vehicle
The Toyota Highlander is a great SUV per
Consumer Reports'
ratings. But what if we said you could upgrade to a hybrid option for relatively cheap and save money on gas down the line?As CR writes in its road report, the 2022 Toyota Highlander is a great choice for families in need of a versatile three-row midsize SUV.
It's equipped with a V6 engine that provides plenty of power for overtaking or climbing hills, and it's mated to a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Highlander also has a smooth and controlled ride, per the publication. It also enjoys nimble handling. When driving the Toyota on its track and performing CR's accident-avoidance maneuver, the soft suspension allowed for some significant body roll.
To sum it up, CR states that any Highlander customer who liked the previous Highlander's driving dynamics will be pleased with the new one.
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A hybrid that won't break the bank
While CR notes that the hybrid version feels less powerful, it compensates by netting an outstanding overall fuel economy of 35 mpg—which, according to CR's testing, is a bump up from the standard gas-powered model's 22 mpg.
Hybrids are typically pretty expensive options compared with their base internal combustion engine models. But in the Highlander's case, it's a relative steal considering the fuel savings you'd be enjoying.
For just $5,000 more, you can opt for a Highlander Hybrid over the gas-powered version.
Savings like this can add up at the pump—particularly now when gas prices are fluctuating so frequently. It's a bonus that there's also an exclusive Hybrid Bronze Edition, which looks pretty slick.
Electrify and save
While you'll see some pretty significant savings at the pump if you drive a hybrid-electric vehicle, you'll save even more by ditching gas entirely.
Owning a car
is even more expensive than usual thanks in part to rising fuel costs
. Higher-than-usual prices at the pump have caused the yearly cost of vehicle ownership to break the $10,000 threshold for the first time.
When it conducted its most recent cost of ownership study, AAA used projected fuel costs based on an average of the first five months of 2022 when
fuel prices
averaged around 18 cents per mile or $3.99 per gallon. Because of this, more and more new vehicle buyers are looking to electric vehicles to ease the pain of high gas prices.
Though most estimates of fuel savings are anecdotal and likely don't factor in the increased costs of home energy consumption, electric vehicles are definitely cheaper than gas-powered vehicles.
The U.S. Department of Energy reported that electric cars usually cost less overall when factoring in their price, maintenance, financing, repairs, the federal tax break, and, of course, fuel costs.
Save on your insurance
Currently, electric vehicles are generally more expensive to insure than gas-powered cars and trucks. The best way to save on your car insurance is to shop around—and you can leave that work to
Jerry
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