Gratuitous dog-blogging: Hybrid road trip!
By Gina Spadafori
March 8, 2008
This week I’m driving a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I took a hour or so to take it up into the foothills for lunch. (Our DogCars.com editor Keith knows the place: Ikeda’s.) The Highlander has been redesigned to be a much better dog car, with wider rear with less slant, much better for crates and gear.
As for the hybrid aspect, well, what a trip: A full-sized SUV with lots of power and room that gets a minimum of 25 mpg going upgrade at 70 mph. Would I buy one? You bet, and believe me, I don’t drive all that many vehicles that have me wanting to get one.
By the way: Ikeda’s patio is about the most dog-friendly place I’ve ever seen. At lunch were a half-dozen well-mannered dogs at the outdoor tables, not including my two furry angels.
Pictured: Heather and Drew beg for curly fries. Yes, the old dogs were the only ones who got to go.
Nice vehicle; looks like a single, side-opening retriever-sized crate would fit in the cargo area. Heather (and Drew) are seasoned…not “old”. : )
Comment by Katie Bruesewitz — March 8, 2008 @ 5:25 pm
We recently purchased a Jeep Patriot (hate the pandoring name but nice vehicle).
We looked at the Ford Escape including the Hybrid version but the interior was less roomy, the front passenger seat did not fold down in a usable way (Patriot seat becomes a table or at least a platform extension of the rear for hauling long things…).
Also on the hybrid thing…
The idea of a hybrid SUV seems a bit of a contradiction in terms… The Escape for example gets considerably worse mileage on the hwy than the Patriot and the gas engine kicks in any time speed goes over 25… When does anyone go under 25 even in city? Patriot easily lives up to its advertized 28 mpg and even better if you go to the manual trans.
Ive taken it to Milwaukee (90 mile trip) a few times and it handles exceptionally well and the teeny tiny 2.0L engine does not lack in passing pick up.
Patriot and its cousings the Compas and Dodge Calibre may well not be “full sized” but if you are looking for room, the good old fashioned mini-vans are still the ticket. Most people I know who are rumbling about in 4wd units will get “off road” exactly twice in their lifetimes and both will have been mistakes.
FYI, our Patriot is a 2wd and has had no problems getting around in all the snow this year. If its snowing so bad you cant travel with that Id advise staying home.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — March 9, 2008 @ 9:08 am
The Toyota hybrid is parallel not series like the Ford and some others. Once you reach a cruising level, the gas only switches on and off to keep up the speed or charge the battery so the gas engine isn’t constantly running.
Comment by Moira — March 9, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
Interesting… I didnt know that.
Ford screws up again I guess.
Comment by Bernard J. (Bernie) Starzewski — March 9, 2008 @ 8:10 pm