Highlander Newbie: Good for snow or not?

[schwachs]

I've read and re-read a bunch of the messages re: the Hybrid, 4WD, traction control, etc. Here's my concern...

I live in Massachusetts. It snows here. Quite often in the winter, at that. I am pretty close to trading in my Toureg for a Highlander Hybrid specifically for two reasons: 1. I need good gas mileage and the Toureg's 12.5mpg is killing me.... and 2. I need a 4WD/AWD vehicle to get me around my hilly neighborhood.

If I get the Highlander Hybrid, it seems to be that getting stuck in the snow is actually going to happen frequently... is this a fair assumption based on the previous posts re: traction control and the system shutting down?

Thanks!

[nomorebenz]

Here'e a plan. Stick the volks in the garage, use it when you need it, and reduce your insurance premiums by making it a low mileage vehicle. Buy a Prius, save $12,000 over the HiHy. Added bonus you almost double your MPG over the HiHy, quadruple over the volks. Too bad that we have to factor in the trade-in value.

But seriously, I've had my HiHy for a month now and love it. However, after reading the off-road comments, I sadly wouldn't even think of doing what I did in the snow with my ML500.

[schwachs]

It's definitely tempting. I am trying downsize my life, and was at first leaning towards the Lexus but the HiHy seems to be a good compromise. I just want to make sure it actually acts like a 4WD vehicle when it needs to.

What mileage are you getting on your HiHy?

Thanks!

[nomorebenz]

I live in NYC. I get about 21mpg when I'm 95% streets doing mostly short trips 2mi or less (I was getting 11 with the ML and that was premium gas) . It really shines when I'm in highway traffic doing 20-25mph, then I get 28-29.

While I'm on the subject: Mercedes 2003 ML500 vs. 2006 Toyota HiHy comparably equipped.

What I miss: Autolocking/opening doors
Better Nav resolution (HiHy is using older generation than Prius)
ONE wheel drive (to be fair I haven't tested the HiHy on ice)
Bose Radio
Rain sensing wipers
Auto dimming drivers side mirror

What I don't miss:
Acceleration (Its comparable, maybe not from 70 to 90mph but who cares)
Less room behind the third row (harder to get into as well)
Joystick Nav input - touch screen is much better way (Voice Act. on Prius even more so)
$1,000 per YEAR for new brakes under normal usage (I read of someone who has only used 10% of their brakes over 10,000 miles on a hybrid)
Last but not least .... Horrible MPG

[schwachs]

Does the HiHy not need premium gas?

[nomorebenz]

Regular is recommended. Premium is optional for "improved performance". I might try a couple of tanks of premium this summer to run a comparison. For now, she runs just fine on regular.

[nyafan]

I live in NYC also. Only 21MPG on the streets here? I get about 27 MPG on the city streets and a little over 25 MPG on the highways doing 60-70 MPH.
It's absolutely great when I'm sitting in traffic on the LIE with the A/C running though - minimal gas being used!

Originally Posted by nomorebenz

I live in NYC. I get about 21mpg when I'm 95% streets doing mostly short trips 2mi or less (I was getting 11 with the ML and that was premium gas) . It really shines when I'm in highway traffic doing 20-25mph, then I get 28-29.

While I'm on the subject: Mercedes 2003 ML500 vs. 2006 Toyota HiHy comparably equipped.

What I miss: Autolocking/opening doors
Better Nav resolution (HiHy is using older generation than Prius)
ONE wheel drive (to be fair I haven't tested the HiHy on ice)
Bose Radio
Rain sensing wipers
Auto dimming drivers side mirror

What I don't miss:
Acceleration (Its comparable, maybe not from 70 to 90mph but who cares)
Less room behind the third row (harder to get into as well)
Joystick Nav input - touch screen is much better way (Voice Act. on Prius even more so)
$1,000 per YEAR for new brakes under normal usage (I read of someone who has only used 10% of their brakes over 10,000 miles on a hybrid)
Last but not least .... Horrible MPG

[nomorebenz]

Very Nice City Milage. My mileage may be low due to the frequency of short "school bus trips" 20 blocks or less. But just for comparison, what tires did you get on yours and do you have them at 32psi or higher. I have the GY integrity's (Yuck!) at the stock 32psi.

[Tideland Prius]

Get good snow tyres :P

the rear wheels are solely driven by electric so it's 4WD-i (no mechanical links). I haven't driven one in the snow so I can't tell you how it reacts.

Trying pumping up the psi on the Integrity to 34 or 35. See how that goes. I'm surprised the recommended pressure is lower than that for the Prius (35/33 is ours)

[mineralfarmer]

I have both a Touareg and a Highlander Hybrid. They both go fine in the snow. Although I've posted a lot about the traction control, and although there is the occasional situation where it might stop you dead as I have described, we had no snow problems last winter at all with the Highlander (and we live at 8500 feet in the San Juan Mountains!). The most important thing, bar none, is tires. We put dedicatd snow tires on the HiHy and it went anywhere. (I used 235 instead of 225 because of the better selection and they just barely fit. Michelin Arctic Alpin.) The Touareg got stuck a couple times on its half-worn Pirelli Scorpion all-terrains.
Touareg V8 lately has been up to 17+ mpg. HiHy 25+ mpg.

[nyafan]

Mine came with the Michelin LX4s. I haven't checked the tires' pressure, I'll check it tomorrow morning and report in!

Originally Posted by nomorebenz

Very Nice City Milage. My mileage may be low due to the frequency of short "school bus trips" 20 blocks or less. But just for comparison, what tires did you get on yours and do you have them at 32psi or higher. I have the GY integrity's (Yuck!) at the stock 32psi.