nate V

I am looking for a new 4x4 soon and am very interested in a hybrid.
I know there are some various types of hybrid cars available out there but I am particularly interested in a all wheel drive. Have any of you out there had any experience with a fuel efficient 4x4? What are your thoughts?
Look forward to hearing what you think and have experienced.

Elvota

My GF bought a '07 Highlander Hybrid with AWD. It really flies, tons of torque and good gas mileage for a SUV.

I am not sure if the Hybrid technology would lend itself that well to true 4WD with the batteries possible being exposed to water or other such contamination. On the Highlander, the batteries sit very low... almost hub level. Bad news for stream crossings.

But the electric motors don't require drive shafts which would be nice for ground clearance and odd suspension configurations.

nate V

I have heard about the highlander b4 and heard great reviews about it.
Is that the only 4x4 hybrid offered? what is the mpg like for the vehicle?
I was wondering if toyota has come out with a 4x4 I know they make cars.?

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

I believe some of the new Lexus cars are AWD hybrids. They also offer the RX400H, which is a hybrid AWD SUV.

At this time, toyota does not make a traditional 4x4 hybrid (ie tacoma, tundra, etc) They are all gasoline only.

In the future, i would imagine Toyota will produce a hybrid diesel truck, tho they will want a pretty penny for that.

elripster

When you say 4x4 truck if you want capability and mpg go GM. Their two mode sierras and tahoes are coming out and they have true 4x4 not AWD drive trains. For small SUV's the Escape hybrid is the leader in MPG and it's lockable viscous coupler makes it one of the more capable. Also it's suspension is pretty stout for that type of vehicle. It does not have low range though.

Frank

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

Suggesting Ford vehicles on a Toyota message board? TRAITOR!

elripster

It is what it is. In a year or two all of the manufacturers will likely have wide selections of hybrids but right now they don't. The Escape does have really good fuel economy. I designed an auxiliary motor drive to power the rear wheels to convert one into a plug in hybrid so I know their chassis well. It's a good little SUV.

Still, for off road and towing ability the Tahoe would be the best choice.

I don't get to carried away with mindless brand loyalty. It clouds up your judgment.

Frank

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

lol ok man

go ahead an buy that Ford. Good luck with that.

just a 22re

found f$&ked driver fixed
on over returns or
road rebuilt on repaired
dead dodge foot daily


ha ha sorry if you own a ford but its funny i dont like fords very well can you tell?

just a 22re

wow that came out the way i wanted it to lol

Elvota

Do you know where Ford got their hybrid technology... bought from Toyota.

Mind you, it's Toyota's technology from 3 years or so ago.

Squeebs

Eh.


I wouldn't mind having a F250 twin turbo diesel jacked up sitting on 40s...

nate V

haha doesn't surprise me that they bought it from toyota. I had a ford a few year back and it never did me wrong mine you that it was an 86 so it was old skool ford.

on another note did any of you see the snow on tv about the electric car that some private company came out with a few years ago and was ended by showing gm collecting all the cars and crushing them..........hummmmmm???

Squeebs

That was the early 90s, i believe.


The EV 1?


All electric, went something like 600 miles on a charge... 0-60 in 6 seconds.


Also, all the designers were dead within 3 years of that meeting with GM.



/conspiracy post

nate V

yeah no kidding huh.....
dunno about all the people involved but yeah i the it was called the evo 1 just saw a show on i a few months back. very sad
too bad that think never hit the market. oh well
we still have our toyota though

PCE91V64x4

The hybrid technology appears to benefit in stop and go city driving much more so than highway cruising (city MPG is typically higher or equal to highway). For off-roading, I am not sure a hybrid would provide much benefit due to the extra weight and the fact that off-road MPG will never be like on the street since you are in mud and hills verses paved (relatively) flat roads.

As far as I know the only 4X4 hybrids are the GMT900 trucks and SUVs. Toyota calls the Highlander Hybrid a 4x4 but it has a CVT and it is "on-demand" 4-wheel drive so I think it is probably closer to AWD.

ozziesironmanoffroad

also if you look in any hybrids manual, it says 'this vehicle is not designed to leave the road'. lol. i dont mind fords, well, the old ones. only new one i like are the mustangs. other than that ford can piss off.

Belize Off Road Team

give it a few years, Toyota has plans for a Hybrid Tundra or a return of the mini truck the A-BAT concept Hybrid Truck. should be arriving over the next 2-3 years.

ozziesironmanoffroad

their bringin back a mini truck? is it gonna look anything like the 'el camino' that chevy recently brought back... the avio i believe.. the car with the bed. what toyota needs to do is get up off their asses and stop trying to stomp all over ford and chevy and produce the trucks theyre known for

nate V

I like the way the A-BAT concept Hybrid Truck looks. on the outside that it. Not so much the interior. I agree with ozzie that toyota needs to jump it up a few notches and sell thoes trucks today instead of tomorrow.

I know that a electric car would not do so well off road and probably get stuck all the time and burn up the batteries very quick. I dont do so much off roading as I used to but love my 4x4 especially in the snow! nice info here everyone