Use "search this forum" enter "new 2017 HL". If production on 2016 has stopped, then what u find/see now is it. DI eng. in 2017 HL might be worth wait, IDK? Anyhow, u get to start over so hope its better ending.

 

This subject again..this was talked about less then a month ago...if there are 10000 HL owners u will get 10000 opinions. If u can wait til about nov-dec time then u will be able to test drive it for yourself and try out the '16 vs '17. If u need a car before then well there is your answer. Search and spend about 10 mins reading and u will fine out what ppl have said about this subject.

 

The Toyota 2017 Highlander press release is:

http://toyotanews.pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota-2017-highlander-march14.htm

Or you can Google '2017 Toyota Highlander press releases' and get more releases from magazines and such. Most URLs are just a rehash of the Toyota release referenced above.

The Start&Stop feature is in all V6 2017 Highlanders except the LE trim line according to the Toyota press release.

 

Look at the '16 Lexus rx350. It's the same powertrain (2GR-FKS). It'll give you your numbers. The question is being a Atkinson cycle and otto cycle mix engine, how the power band will look. Peak numbers may be misleading

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I could have waited for the 2017 HL if I wanted to. I decided to get the 2016 model though. The redesigned front grill is a deal breaker for me. Also the stop/start engine feature.

 

I agree, the new grill is not my cup of tea and helped sway my dollars to the 2016. I am sure I will have a little buyer's remorse when the '17s come out, but I am very happy with my '16 XLE HL that is for sure!

 

I had a hybrid and the electric motor took over AC when stopped. I wonder how the HL will handle the AC in a stop/start car. Seems like it would have to run when the AC is on which in Florida is 80% of the time.

 

The electric motor didn't take over once stopped. Instead of the serpentine belt powering the compressor, an electric motor does. Its how almost every hybrid, elec vehicles, and start/stop vehicles do it.

 

wambus, good to hear that the dealer was willing to unwind the deal and give you your money back for the car.

 

Although I did not go into the same detail, that is what I said. My question stands. What will power the AC during a long red light or while waiting with the car on?

 

Although I did not go into the same detail, that is what I said. My question stands. What will power the AC during a long red light or while waiting with the car on?

The electric motor didn't take over once stopped. Instead of the serpentine belt powering the compressor, an electric motor does. Its how almost every hybrid, elec vehicles, and start/stop vehicles do it.

for clarifying above, the hybrid motord didn't power the ac.

An elec motor sits where the pully normally is. That doesn't need an engine.

 

"I had a hybrid and the electric motor took over AC when stopped." I am sorry if that does not mean the same thing as "Instead of the serpentine belt powering the compressor, an electric motor does." I may be slow tonight but I fail to see the difference.

 

Ok so AC requires pressurized refrigerant to work, so the compressor is key. On a gas car, the compressor is powered by the serpentine belt which is tied to the crank. If the engine shuts off, compressor shuts off, refrigerant decompresses, AC dies.

On a hybrid (your experience), all electric vehicle, or any vehicle that comes with start stop(***), you can't do this as you'll lose AC when the engine is off. To do this they use a different type of compressor. Instead of having a pulley on the front of it, it has a DC motor (hybrid battery voltage) that spins the compressor. That way it is always spinning when needed and battery voltage is high enough. Totally independent of the engine.

You were commenting the car would always have to run to have AC in FL, I was saying that's not how the systems work...and that the hybrid electric motor doesn't power the AC (compressor) at all (what you implied). Just the small motor on the compressor itself.



***some early smart stop cars still had the compressor on the belt and wouldn't shut the car off under heavy ac load. Typically not the way its done anymore.

 

I bought my Sienna in 2015 specifically to avoid direct injection. We had a highlander before the Sienna. My advice is to buy vehicles with a multi year old engine design and body style late in the design cycle. It works for me, but YMMV.


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The Lexus RX has 295HP and 267TQ, and goes 0-60 in about 7.3 seconds, according to the Edmunds review. Let's assume that the numbers for the 2017 Highlander are the same, at least directionally.

This is still at the back end of the class, performance-wise. The Honda Pilot is a half-second faster, which is about average, and the Explorer Sport takes the class lead in the high 5s. So, it seems like many of us will still have to look past performance as a weak point and focus on the larger package.

I do hold out hope for the 8-speed transmission, though. I have one of those in my 5 series BMW, and it contributes greatly to an improved sense of power availability compared to the 6-speed automatic in my last one. I also have high hopes for the sport suspension in the upcoming SE. The normal Highlander suspension is too compliant for my taste.

I guess we'll see.

 

The AC on the Hybrid operates on several hundred volts from the hybrid battery from what I understand (not 12V).

Our AC stays working even when in EV mode .....

 

Correct. The small 12V battery is only to start the computers and traction battery relays, the main traction batteries are ~288VDC (this will vary by model, battery chemistry, etc; but its around there). The motors run on 3-PH 650VAC, so there is an inverter that converts and steps it up to AC for the traction motors. The AC compressor runs off the ~288VDC battery. However the car also has a DC to DC converter to convert that high voltage dc to 12VDC to power all the 12VDC devices (radio, headlights, etc...) Think of it as an alternator of sorts. The hybrids get complex quick as they have 3-4 separate electrical systems.