Toyota Highlander for bikes?

**laughlaugh18** · 08-09-2006, 11:20 PM

Anyone out there drive a Highlander? I'm considering the Highlander Hybrid, and would appreciate any input on how it is for loading/carrying bikes, especially for a shorty.

I haven't shopped for a car in 13 years, but some things never change - car shopping is absolutely the pits

**deidre** · 08-10-2006, 05:32 AM

I haven't shopped for a car in 12.5 years and am now shopping for not 1 but probably 2 cars since both cars are 12.5 years old (1 is out of commission completely). I was just telling my sister that I am usually not excited about buying a new car (well, since it is inevitable, I am starting to get a little excited now

).

Sorry, I don't have any input on a Highlander though.

**Trek420** · 08-10-2006, 05:53 AM

we had a thread here about bike hauling vehicles that I may be re-visiting soon:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=subaru

**biking4health** · 08-10-2006, 05:54 AM

My DH drives a 2004 Highlander. It's not a hybrid though. We just started biking after a long hiatus so we don't have a rack yet. I have put my bike in the back and there's plenty of room, but I can't get it in there myself. I'm 5'4" and there's no way I can "heft" it in there alone since it sits a bit high for me.

As far as the Highlander we love it. This is our 4th Toyota and love the product. It's very comfortable to drive and ride in. We just returned from a road trip of 1600 miles.

We talked to a guy when we were in Northern MN who just bought a Hybrid and had driven it from Virginia. He loved it and said the mileage on the highway was in the low 30's, not at good around town.

Carol

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-10-2006, 07:15 AM

Since buying a new car was not an option we had to find a solution with our cars. It turned out my minivan carries all 5 bikes nicely. I had a hitch installed and then added a Thule carrier. All 5 of us can easily get the bikes on and off-which is a huge plus, considering I am not tall.

Sorry, I do not know much about the hybrid.

**farrellcollie** · 08-10-2006, 07:24 AM

I looked at highlanders (last yr) before buying a volkswagon wagon - (I was looking to haul dogs - not bikes and highlander had a gap when the seats were down that a dog could fall into and hurt leg) - it appeared as though a bike would fit nicely. I carry a little ladder (god I must look like such a dork) to reach my roof rack. It is much easier with road bike (light bike) than with 35+ hybrid. If I was looking now I would consider mazda mpv small van for bikes and dogs.

**dachshund** · 08-10-2006, 07:35 AM

I've been looking into either the Highlander or the Prius. The Prius is a hatchback, and should fit at least one bike. I wouldn't consider anything other than a hybrid, though, even though it limits the choices.

**KnottedYet** · 08-10-2006, 07:44 AM

Don't forget diesel. You can run biodiesel, which is made from deglycerinzed vegetable oil. Friendliest powerplant we've got at the moment. When the Subaru diesel comes out, I'm planning to seriously look into it. (though I love my current Subie, I'd rather be running biodiesel)

Plus the mileage from biodiesel is impressive. My sister in law gets 54 mpg biodiesel on the freeway in her VW Jetta.

**GLC1968** · 08-10-2006, 07:44 AM

If you wanted to save a little cash and still get similar (or better) mileage, you could try the Toyota Matrix. We have one and while we ended up with the 'super charged' version that has slightly lower mileage (we get 30 mpg combined city/hwy), it works well. With the seat down we can fit two bikes with wheels on if we lie them down. With out the front wheels, they'll stand with half the back seat still upright (except for DH's crazy high seat post which he refuses to remove!

).

I'm only 5'4" and I can easily toss my bike in there by myself with little effort.

Perhaps not quite as environmentally friendly as a hybrid, but with the milage and initially lower costs, it's certainly more pocketbook friendly.

**KnottedYet** · 08-10-2006, 07:54 AM

Bikes would fit nicely in the back of a VW diesel wagon.... or the back of a Subaru diesel wagon (but you'd have to wait a couple years for that). Or on or in a diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Around here biodiesel is 50 cents per gallon cheaper than dino-diesel. (it used to be the other way around. My SIL is loving current gas prices.)

Knot-tooting-honking-and-pounding-the-biodiesel-horn

www.biodiesel.org www.biodieselnow.com www.fuelwerks.com

**laughlaugh18** · 08-10-2006, 08:38 AM

All great thoughts-thanks.

I'm the biggest princess and the pea ever, so comfort is the #1 issue for me. I actually try to rent a car before I buy it to make sure the drivers seat fits me (that's how I discovered that the Prius made my neck spasm!).

I have to admit that I don't quite see myself as a station wagon person; even considering an SUV is a big deal for me - I much prefer an enclosed trunk. I can easily pop my bike into the back seat of my 93' Camry, and would have loved the Camry hybrid but the trunk in the new Camry is the size of a thimble (I don't think it's even big enuf to lay a bike tire flat in it!). What were they thinking?!

Farrelcollie - yeah, ladder. That'd probably be me, too!

KY - I still don't see that many diesel signs in LA, so the idea of it worries me.

What I'm learning is that gas mileage on hybrids is really variable, and mostly never near what the EPA estimates. The Highlander Hybrid real life mileage seems to be closer to 25-27 in mixed driving. Still, that's better than the 20 I'm getting now!

**Lenusik** · 08-10-2006, 08:57 AM

I can recommend Nissan Murano belive it or not. We are getting 22 m/gallon in it consistantly, when a Highlander hybrid gets only 23-24. We were looking at it and decided that it is not worth it.
You can easily put two bikes inside a Murano. But we also have 3 dogs and decided to get a bike rack. Check this baby out: http://www.1upusa.com/1upusarackhome.htm
It is sweet. Tt takes only 20 seconds to set the bikes on it.

**dachshund** · 08-10-2006, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Around here biodiesel is 50 cents per gallon cheaper than dino-diesel. (it used to be the other way around. My SIL is loving current gas prices.)
www.biodiesel.org www.biodieselnow.com www.fuelwerks.com

Thanks for the info - I'm forgetting now why I stopped looking into biodiesel.

**beeba** · 08-13-2006, 07:23 PM

I originally thought they were quite ugly, but I have fallen in love with my Honda Element!!! It is so versatile! The hubby and I made a "removable" bike rack for the back out of some MDF and 2 fork mounts. Anytime I go for a ride I throw up the back seat and screw the fork in! And clean up is an absolute breeze!!

**dakay** · 08-13-2006, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by beeba

I originally thought they were quite ugly, but I have fallen in love with my Honda Element!!!

I also love my Honda Element. With the back seats out there is plenty of room for two bikes and I don't even have to move the dog crate.

Kathy

Thread: Toyota Highlander for bikes?

Thread Tools

Display

Toyota Highlander for bikes?

I understand

Posting Permissions