Highlander Hybrid

Anyone know when the new Highlander Hybrid will be out?

Probably in Jan. or Feb. of 05. Our dealership is already taking deposits. If you are sure you want one I'd rec. getting your name on a waiting list. There are currently 30+ people on the list for a prius and we have 4 people on the list for a highlander hybrid. Let me know if you want to get put on the list.

Moreno Valley, huh? Kinda far, but how much do one of 'dem things go for for a top of the line, out the door, with all the doo-dads? Also, If I get put on a waiting list, there's no obligation to purchase, right?

There's no obligation to purchase. Most dealerships including us ask for a refundable 500 deposit. We don't cash the check it's just to know that you're serious. If you do end up buying one your check will be returned no problems. I haven't seen any info on pricing yet.

Thanks Robert. The wife and I need to talk it over before we decide what to do. When you find out the pricing, let me know.

I sure will.

Originally posted by humanoid
Anyone know when the new Highlander Hybrid will be out?

The news I received on August 28, 2004, from a local dealership, was that the Highlander Hybrid has been delayed until the June 2005 timeframe.

Apparently the Toyota engineers are not completely satisfied with results thus far so have delayed the rollout.

The waiting list at any area dealership in the greater Chicagoland area is 1 year or more.

will the RX400h be released after, before, or with the Hilander Hybrid..?

Originally posted by TerrierMom
The news I received on August 28, 2004, from a local dealership, was that the Highlander Hybrid has been delayed until the June 2005 timeframe.

Apparently the Toyota engineers are not completely satisfied with results thus far so have delayed the rollout.

The waiting list at any area dealership in the greater Chicagoland area is 1 year or more.

Son of a beech! Wanted one around March since that when our new baby is supposed to be due. Damn you Toyota!!!!!

from the toyota pressroom...

"Lexus Exceeds 9,000 Pre-Sold Customer Orders for 2006 RX 400h Hybrid



09/04/2004 Torrance, CA

Lexus announced today that its dealers have received more than 9,000 pre-sold orders for the 2006 RX 400h luxury gas-electric hybrid SUV through August month-end. The RX 400h provides a powerful new performance dimension to the traditional hybrid advantages of high mileage and low emissions.

"We've received significantly more pre-launch orders for the 400h than we've had for any vehicle in our entire 15-year history," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, Denny Clements. "Although we're pleased with the early public response to the 400h, we are mindful of our need to respond to these customers in a timely manner," he added.

Lexus recently announced to dealers that the 400h will arrive in showrooms early next year as a 2006 model. The company said after pre-production prototypes are evaluated later this month, it will announce specific on-sale launch timing for the U.S. and other global markets.

"It's imperative we provide accurate information to our dealers and their customers regarding the anticipated arrival of these vehicles," said Clements. "We're already planning ahead with the development of a new retail ordering program, and we've started a dedicated customer communication system," he added.

The new customer communication system will correspond directly with wait-list customers on at-least a quarterly basis with updated information about their RX 400h order. The retail ordering system will provide Lexus dealers with the ability to assign a customer name to a specific vehicle prior to its production and then track that vehicle throughout the distribution process. This is a first for Lexus and will provide timely updates on the progress of a customer's order and their expected vehicle delivery date.

Additionally, Lexus Financial Services will extend lease agreements by as much as 12 months, if necessary, to current Lexus owners who have placed orders for a RX 400h. The plan is designed to accommodate customers who have voiced concern that their Lexus lease might run-out before their RX 400h arrives."

# # #

:thumbup:

Highlander will be more sparse then the prius in the NY area... like expect to see 10 a year at my dealership is what i was told..

Has anybody confirmed a June release for the Highlander Hybrid? I was hoping it would come out sooner than that.

Yea my parents are thinking of getting one this summer. How much will it cost?

I put a deposit down on a Highlander Hybrid two weeks ago. They had about forty people on the list. I stated my color preference as slate blue. They only had one other order for that color, so they said I will be offered the second blue one they get in. It should get in around late May or early June. The dealers still don't have any concrete info on the highlander hybrid. ( I was just thinking of a way to abreviate the model. The initials are hh or in other words H2.)

They said the price for the hybrid version should be about $3,000 over a similarly equipped Highlander. For the limited version, that puts it in the $40,000 neighborhood.

What kind of fuel efficiency does the hybrid get?

The estimate I was told, months ago, was about 40 mpg. No stipulation between city or highway. MPG is typically higher in the city for hybrids.

You cannot really find any hard & fast information about that on the Toyota site.

most impressive...

My dealership says its expected in April 2005. They plan to get about 5 or 6 Highlander Hybrids a month. They are NOT taking reservations until the pricing is released.

270 HP is comparable to a V8. Its supposed to go 600 miles on a full tank of gas. DAYAM!!!

Which dealership was that at?

The Highlander hybrid is going to be coming out in June. My dealer is allocated 7 for the year.

Confusing!

I'm no longer in the market for the Hybrid, having purchased a 2004 Highlander last year.

However, I usually run into the Sales Manager when I'm getting maintenance (oil change, etc.) on my car and talk to him about the Highlander.

He said that Toyota hopes to have the Hybrid out by this summer but it may a 2006 model year thing and be out this fall, instead.

The Toyota engineers still haven't been completely pleased with their tests.

Well, it's good their taking their time, but hopefully it will be 2005, so we can all get it cheap on sale in August.

Our dealership got our first look at the highlander this past week. If you own a highlander now nothing different in apperence except for the front bumper design. It drives great, nice and quiet with plenty of power for going up hills. The only major difference inside was the information display under the speedometer. The hybrid will get 33city/28hwy in the 2wd form, and 31city/27hwy in the 4wd.