The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a seven seat SUV that plays a trump card in the sport utility market, by delivering the best gas mileage in its class.
Equipped with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy drive system and a 3.3 liter V6 engine, the Highlander Hybrid produces a total of 209 horsepower and 212 foot pounds of torque.
The official gas mileage estimates for the four wheel drive Highlander Hybrid Limited are 27 city / 25 highway miles per gallon (MPG). (Overall, the Highlander Hybrid’s numbers represent a significant step above the conventional Highlander’s 18/24 rating.) Continue reading →
Whether you need to haul people, pets, gear, or any combination of the three, SUV hybrids work hard to contain fuel costs, while providing more versatility than typical hybrid sedans.
Part and parcel to our role as the Internet’s leading independent authority on gas mileage, we’re committed to the task of documenting each and every hybrid SUV currently on the road by the end of 2008. As of August 2008, we’ve reviewed the following vehicles:
Each one of these SUV hybrids is an excellent vehicle in its own right. Each takes a different approach.
The Escape Hybrid is a more traditional SUV with the best overall mileage in its class, while the RX400h is a roomy and comfortable living room on wheels. These two play opposite ends of the utility and luxury scale.
The Vue Green Line has European roots and flair, with unique styling, segment-topping highway gas mileage, and a more car-like ride.
The roomy and versatile Toyota Highlander Hybrid delivers the best overall gas mileage for a seven passenger SUV.
The Ford Edge is a five-seat SUV that competes with the Honda CR-V, Nissan Murano, Saturn Vue, Toyota Highlander, and Toyota RAV4 among others in the popular crossover SUV market.
Under the hood, the 2008 Edge is fitted with a 3.5 liter V6 producing a generous 265 horsepower and 250 foot pounds of torque.
The diesel-powered Audi A6 TDI presents quite a compelling package … one that we can dream of getting here in America, quite possibly in the near future. It’s tough to argue with a 3.0 liter direct injection V6 diesel producing 332 foot pounds of torque and 233 horsepower … especially when it delivers 23.5 miles per gallon (MPG) city, 46.3 MPG highway, and 34 MPG combined (European driving cycle) … in an all-wheel-drive luxury coupe of this stature.
We took a quick ride in a Euro A6 Quattro in Sacramento this week and can attest to the stated 7.1 second 0-62 times (although we didn’t have the opportunity to bear witness to the 153 miles per hour top speed).
The CR-V is a best-seller in the crowded five-passenger SUV market, competing against a slew of competitors including the Toyota RAV4, Ford Edge and Escape.
Now in its third generation, the CR-V has come a long way from its humble and boxy roots. The styling is sleek and rounded, while the ride and handling are decidedly car-like. With a 166 horsepower i-VTEC four-cylinder and 5 speed automatic, the CR-V never feels underpowered.
The EPA’s gas mileage estimates for the AWD CR-V are 20 city / 26 highway miles per gallon (MPG). Those numbers appear to be fairly accurate. While some readers have experienced lower MPG results, in a week of testing, we averaged 24.5 miles per gallon combined. Continue reading →
