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With some of the most traffic-laden streets in the country and throngs of pedestrians crossing your path everywhere you turn, traveling in New York City is not for the faint of heart. For those who would rather skip the hectic atmosphere of the subway and ride in a vehicle of their own so that they can have control over their commute, you’ll need a model that was meant to handle bustling city life. For many New Yorkers, from families to those with a requirement for more space in their cars, three-row SUVs are ideal, offering the room they need to stretch out while stuck in traffic with the capabilities they demand to make the most out of hectic travel situations. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a popular pick with many city dwellers, known for its outstanding fuel economy, accommodating cabin, and features meant to handle the unique situations posed on our streets.
Here at Toyota of Manhattan, if you’re searching for the best place to find a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for sale in New York City, we’re it. Our inventory is filled with exceptional models that are just waiting to add value to your city commutes. But what about other three-row options in the industry? How do these stack up against this Toyota favorite? One of its main rivals is the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, and when it comes to the 2024 Highlander Hybrid vs the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, both can handle your city travels, but one offers more to make your experience second to none.
Congested Streets
It’s no secret that traffic can be a nightmare, whether you’re attempting to take the Cross Bronx Expressway or cruising down Fifth Avenue. Anywhere you turn in New York City, you’re bound to run into a bit of congestion, no matter what time of the day you’re traveling, but if you’re riding in the 2024 Highlander Hybrid, you’ll be in for a ride that can make any delay more enjoyable. Armed with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors, the Highlander Hybrid offers an energetic ride, with 243 hp, making even the most basic drives more exciting. You’ll find that although the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid offers a comfortable ride, its 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid setup isn’t as powerful as the Highlander Hybrid, with only 231 horses at the helm. This can make for a slightly boring ride with lackluster acceleration, which can affect how you enjoy your time once you make it through traffic.
Of course, there are plenty of bad drivers in the city, which means you almost have to have eyes in the back of your head to ensure you don’t get in an accident. That’s where sophisticated driver assist features come in to save the day. The Highlander Hybrid showcases a lineup of helpful features designed for today’s busy traveler, including a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to help you change lanes and maneuver into tight parking spaces with ease. Similar features can be found in the Santa Fe Hybrid to ensure you remain safe while taking on traffic in New York City.
Although both the Highlander Hybrid and Santa Fe Hybrid offer plenty of helpful tech to help you remain safe on the city streets, the level of comfort on board differs. You don’t want to be stuck in traffic in a vehicle that doesn’t offer you the comfort you deserve. Toyota ensures a cozy ride with available leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and an ultra-roomy third row that offers 1.5 inches more shoulder room and nearly three inches more hip room. Unfortunately for the Santa Fe Hybrid, its third row is rather snug, which means that it’s typically reserved for pint-sized passengers instead. It does offer comfortable features in its more upscale trims, including leather appointments, captain’s chairs, and power-adjustable seating. We do wish there were more trims to choose from in the Santa Fe’s lineup, seeing as the Highlander offers six options while the Santa Fe only has three.
Weekends Away
Many city dwellers seek to get away for the weekend, especially in the summertime. From trips to the Hamptons to Rockaway Beach, New Yorkers seek to enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of city life. When you’re loading up and getting ready to hit the highway, you’ll need to do so in a vehicle that offers you the features you need to enjoy your time on the road.
First and foremost, you’ll need a vehicle that offers excellent fuel efficiency, which is exactly what you can expect when you shop for a 2024 Highlander Hybrid at your local Toyota dealership. Getting an EPA-estimated 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, taking a trip in this Toyota SUV will not only be easy on the wallet at the pump but quicker, seeing as you won’t have to make as many stops by the gas station on your way to your destination. The Santa Fe Hybrid offers similar gas mileage; however, the excitement behind the wheel is lacking, so if you’re looking to enjoy a dynamic ride, the Highlander Hybrid is the better choice here.
Cargo capacity and convenience features go a long way when you’re seeking to get out of the city for the weekend. You not only need enough space for all of your luggage and everything accompanying you, but it helps to have clever storage solutions and other features to make the journey better. The Highlander Hybrid offers an impressive cargo hold that can accommodate up to 84.3 cu.ft. of gear, and when it comes to getting loaded up easily, its hands-free power rear liftgate makes this a breeze; just kick your foot under the bumper, and your vehicle responds. Although the Santa Fe Hybrid is a three-row SUV as well, which may lead you to believe that it showcases remarkable interior space, its cargo capacity is lacking. It only offers up to 79.6 cu.ft. of cargo space. This can be quite a disappointment for those looking to load up with a ton of gear for a weekend away.
Family Time
Many New York City families choose three-row SUVs to help them take on their city commutes, whether they’re heading to school, karate practice, or just to Union Square Park to blow off some steam. Not only does the Highlander Hybrid offer the space you need inside to handle your youngsters, but it also offers plenty of entertainment and safety features to keep everyone connected and protected during their journey, even if you choose to shop at a used Toyota dealership. Wi-Fi connectivity with five USB ports makes it easy for everyone to keep their devices ready for the journey, no matter where they’re seated, while an outstanding suite of advanced safety features through Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ grants parents optimal peace of mind while they travel. From Lane Departure Alert to a Pre-Collision System, you’ll feel protected on board this Toyota favorite. Hyundai offers similar features in the Santa Fe, including Hyundai SmartSense, which is its take on advanced safety on the road.
Highlander Hybrid vs Santa Fe Hybrid: Choosing the Ultimate NYC Traveler
There are plenty of similarities between the Highlander Hybrid and the Santa Fe Hybrid. They both showcase excellent fuel efficiency ratings, as well as superb safety features, perfect for daily commuters and families alike. They allow drivers and passengers to harness some of the latest tech, including large touchscreens and wireless device connectivity. Where they differ is in ride quality, comfort, and cargo. The Highlander Hybrid showcases a more thrilling ride, adding incredible value to the daily journey. You’ll also get to enjoy exceptional cargo capacity to help you find a place for all the things joining you for all of your New York City travels.
The Santa Fe Hybrid starts to falter here, with slower acceleration and a rather loud engine. It also has a tighter third row, designed to accommodate smaller passengers, not adults. You also won’t find ample cargo space for all of your travel belongings. Whether you’re taking on traffic through the Lincoln Tunnel, embarking on a trip Upstate for the weekend, or taking the kids to the Children’s Museum of Manhattan for a field trip, the Highlander Hybrid is perfectly capable of reinventing the way you travel through the city and beyond. Contact us today to learn more.
