Anyone have experience with the 2006-07 Toyota Highlander Hybrids?

Outlaw

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Looking for some real-world feedback on 2006-2007 Toyota Highlander hybrids. Girlfriend wants something smaller to DD/ winter car and it will see some road trip action. Her commute is only about 6 miles of stop/go each way so a Hybrid would be ideal for something like this. We've kinda come up with a rough list of requirements;

-30 MPG average
-AWD
-Enough interior space to travel comfortably with two pitbulls occasionally.

Seems like the 06-07 Highlander hybrids fit all those requirements. I know a 30+ MPG requirement isn't hard to meet with pretty much any crossover now, but 10 years ago it seems like low 20's was pretty much the norm. She's looking to spend $5,000-$6,000 on it, which knocks out many of the newer and more efficient crossovers. Only other thing that falls into those requirements I've considered is the pre 2012 Ford Escape Hybrids. But I can't seem to find one of those that isn't rusty already, and they are considerably smaller than the highlander. I'd love to get an 08+ Highlander even if it was a bit more money because they're much better equipped, but, the economy seems to drop significantly per the EPA.

used-2007-toyota-highlander_hybrid-2007toyotahighlanderhybridlimited1ownerawd6157309991-13094-19149235-2-1024.jpg
 

EmersonHart13

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My Friend Justin just got rid of his Camry Hybrid from the same era. Still going strong and gave it to his little brother to beat on. No issues only regular maintenance.

My sister in law also had a Camry Hybrid of the same era and she only got rid of it last year so she could get a minivan for more space. The only issue I remember her having was with the power steering and she had to go to the dealer at least twice about it. Otherwise good.
 

Outlaw

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I’m definitely not worried about their reliability but glad to hear of a lack of issues. A friend of mine is a wizard with the Toyota hybrid systems and has scanners that can see battery loads and condition across all banks, so I’m not too worried about buying a dud. He also rebuilds the batteries so if I find one that’s bad and have him work his magic I’d be even happier. I tried to push her onto something like a Camry hybrid but after road tripping with the dogs this past weekend in my truck I’d definitely not want to do that in a sedan, plus out where the farm is they don’t plow worth a shit. Since her truck will be parked for the winter she should probably have something AWD.
 

EmersonHart13

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I’m definitely not worried about their reliability but glad to hear of a lack of issues. A friend of mine is a wizard with the Toyota hybrid systems and has scanners that can see battery loads and condition across all banks, so I’m not too worried about buying a dud. He also rebuilds the batteries so if I find one that’s bad and have him work his magic I’d be even happier. I tried to push her onto something like a Camry hybrid but after road tripping with the dogs this past weekend in my truck I’d definitely not want to do that in a sedan, plus out where the farm is they don’t plow worth a shit. Since her truck will be parked for the winter she should probably have something AWD.

The trunk is kind of awful too.... Its like my GTO, they stole half of it.
 

Outlaw

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Shit that’s not bad. The type of driving I do is pretty much best case scenario. 25 miles+ at a time, no traffic, minimal stops and around 55-60 mph. I think I could probably match the hybrid MPg with a normal one. Problem is her commute is short distance bullshit and it’s hard to explain to her why I get so much better mileage in our pretty much identical trucks
 

Outlaw

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Right now I’ve got her driving my 03 Yukon since I don’t care if it gets dinged up. She works for a car dealer and the porters straight up don’t give a flying fuck. Unfortunately employee parking is where they stash used cars and other shit as well so her truck has gotten a few little dings and she’s tired of it. They also park like morons and she’s had to have them come move shit before so she could swing out of her spot in her F250. She likes the Yukon but is getting sick of the 9mpg it’s giving her.
 

Outlaw

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The trunk is kind of awful too.... Its like my GTO, they stole half of it.

Yeah that wouldn’t work. I spent a good deal of time in that era Camry at a previous job and for being an appliance vehicle I had no issues with it. But I forgot they rob all that trunk space for the hybrid systems. That’s a no-go.
 
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