That 3.3L is a fantastic engine, but it was made more for Lexus refinement and modest performance than fuel economy. The hybrid helps it get a lot better (spring/summer/fall) city mpg, but really doesn't help much on the highway or when really cold. The 3.5L hybrid that replaced it in 2011 uses a Atkinson cycle for a bit better mpg, but it is slower and less refined. The transmission is not really a cvt - there is no problematic belt. But the planetary gears & electric motors allow for a cvt-like driving experience. The rear is powered by a standalone electric motor that puts out around 70 horsepower so the 4wd-i models are definitely front biased. You've got good tires so it probably won't be an issue, but if you are ever stopped on ice with all season tires Toyota's traction control on the hybrid is so intrusive you might get stuck with zero wheelspin. There is no switch to turn off traction control, but you can put it in a 4wd maintenance mode intended for dyno emissions testing which disables traction & stability control. Just put it in park, turn the car off, then while holding the brake down turn the key on (but not to start), then floor the accelerator 4 times (keeping your foot on the brake the whole time), then put it neutral and floor it 4 times, then put it back in park and floor it 4 times, then start the car. You have about a minute to complete the inputs. It should then say 4wd maintenance mode and throw all kinds of scary warning lights (check hybrid, check brakes, traction/stability control lights, etc). Don't worry, they will go away when you stop and restart the car to take it out of maintenance mode. Don't drive it far - just get it unstuck. Toyota says this maintenance mode is for diagnostic purposes only and that you may cause damage driving in it.
Amazing outstanding video. I just bought a 2005 Toyota Highlander 4WD and absolutely love it . I will never buy a Hybrid at all. Is really expensive to fix Hybrids. My mechanic charge $3600 to replace just the alternator for a Toyota Prius. He told me do not buy anything hybrid to expensive and the batteries are ridiculous expensive too
That 3.3L is a fantastic engine, but it was made more for Lexus refinement and modest performance than fuel economy. The hybrid helps it get a lot better (spring/summer/fall) city mpg, but really doesn't help much on the highway or when really cold. The 3.5L hybrid that replaced it in 2011 uses a Atkinson cycle for a bit better mpg, but it is slower and less refined.
The transmission is not really a cvt - there is no problematic belt. But the planetary gears & electric motors allow for a cvt-like driving experience. The rear is powered by a standalone electric motor that puts out around 70 horsepower so the 4wd-i models are definitely front biased.
You've got good tires so it probably won't be an issue, but if you are ever stopped on ice with all season tires Toyota's traction control on the hybrid is so intrusive you might get stuck with zero wheelspin. There is no switch to turn off traction control, but you can put it in a 4wd maintenance mode intended for dyno emissions testing which disables traction & stability control.
Just put it in park, turn the car off, then while holding the brake down turn the key on (but not to start), then floor the accelerator 4 times (keeping your foot on the brake the whole time), then put it neutral and floor it 4 times, then put it back in park and floor it 4 times, then start the car. You have about a minute to complete the inputs. It should then say 4wd maintenance mode and throw all kinds of scary warning lights (check hybrid, check brakes, traction/stability control lights, etc).
Don't worry, they will go away when you stop and restart the car to take it out of maintenance mode. Don't drive it far - just get it unstuck. Toyota says this maintenance mode is for diagnostic purposes only and that you may cause damage driving in it.
Man thanks for the great info!
I've done light off roading staying on main trail it did awesome even on street tires
Hi ... how many miles were on the car when you made the video? And a year later ... is all still well with it? Thx
honestly I cant answer that correctly because the car had 95,000 when we bought it and sold it with 117,000 miles
How many miles were on it when you found it?
we bought it with 95,000 on it. sold it with 115,000 i think
14:30 my battery hybrid is working but I don’t know
Amazing outstanding video. I just bought a 2005 Toyota Highlander 4WD and absolutely love it . I will never buy a Hybrid at all. Is really expensive to fix Hybrids. My mechanic charge $3600 to replace just the alternator for a Toyota Prius. He told me do not buy anything hybrid to expensive and the batteries are ridiculous expensive too
Thank you. I am definatley not looking forward to replacing that. So far it's doing great.
I’ll replace it for 3k
The Prius does not have an alternator
I have a hybrid with 440k miles and battery is still good and the only problem was some support system for hybrid system and that was under recall