Comparison: 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
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Comparison: 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs. 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
Hybrids are all about fuel economy, right? In the minds of Joe and Jane Consumer, most would agree that hybrid vehicles get better mpg than their conventionally-powered counterparts.
When Toyota first introduced their Highlander Hybrid as a 2006 model, its EPA estimated mpg of 27 city/31 mpg highway was better than most other contemporary mid-size SUVs. For example, the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox with its standard 3.4-liter V-6 achieved only 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.
Facts like these supported the understood paradigm.
But things have changed, and changed quickly.
Certainly, the way the EPA measures fuel economy is different. That 2006 Equinox would achieve only 17 city/22 highway using today's stricter standards. The 2006 Highlander Hybrid would be down to 28 city/25 highway. Regardless of measurement protocols, the Toyota still had a significant advantage over the gas-only Chevy.
However, the focus of this story is on a bigger issue. Given today's smaller and more powerful internal combustion engines, the hybrid advantage is not always what it once was. As proof, consider the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. (For those interested in the latest Toyota models, the 2010 Highlander Hybrid is virtually identical to the 2009 edition.)
When Toyota first introduced their Highlander Hybrid as a 2006 model, its EPA estimated mpg of 27 city/31 mpg highway was better than most other contemporary mid-size SUVs. For example, the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox with its standard 3.4-liter V-6 achieved only 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.
Facts like these supported the understood paradigm.
But things have changed, and changed quickly.
Certainly, the way the EPA measures fuel economy is different. That 2006 Equinox would achieve only 17 city/22 highway using today's stricter standards. The 2006 Highlander Hybrid would be down to 28 city/25 highway. Regardless of measurement protocols, the Toyota still had a significant advantage over the gas-only Chevy.
However, the focus of this story is on a bigger issue. Given today's smaller and more powerful internal combustion engines, the hybrid advantage is not always what it once was. As proof, consider the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the all-new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. (For those interested in the latest Toyota models, the 2010 Highlander Hybrid is virtually identical to the 2009 edition.)
http://www.automobilemag.com/green/r...nox/index.html
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From: Memphis
The highlander hybrid, much like its RX450h cousin, was never designed with maximized fuel economy as its #1 goal. Its goal was to increase fuel economy while also increasing power. Hard to compare a V6+ electric motor to a regular 4.
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From: Sterling Heights, MI
I'd agree, but I believe the point of the article was to show how quickly non-hybrid technology in terms of saving fuel has caught up. That's why they opened with an examination of the 2006 models.
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From: Dangerously close to Detroit
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From: Irving, TX
I think this shows that the Highlander moving up wasn't a good move. It lost its good sizing. It is too big for 5 passengers, but too small for a third row. I have talked to several people who have the new one, and they don't like the third row, it is almost always down. If Toyota were to make a new Rav4 that was about this size and had a hybrid model, it would do better in this comparison.
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Well, at the end of the day, when gas hits $4 a gallon, which one would you rather buy?
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From: Memphis
It still doesn't change the fact that comparing a V6 hybrid to a 4-cyl non hybrid isn't exactly damning evidence that hybrid technology doesn't take long to catch up to.
The Lexus GS450h is similar... it gets pretty good mileage, but not great. It is, however, as fast as many V8 cars in its class while getting better mileage than most V6s in its class.
Similarly the Highlander was faster than most V6s in its class while getting an average economy as good as most 4-cylinders in its class.
If you want to show me how GM has made a compact car without a hybrid system that's caught up to the economy of a 2006 Prius then we'll be having a worthwhile comparison.
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Is "fast" a reasonable metric to be looking at when comparing these two vehicles? Doesn't seem like that would be much of a consideration for ANYBODY in the market for a Highlander or an Equinox.
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From: Memphis
It also depends on your definition of fast. You might also choose to describe it as "not as slow".