When I started my SUV shopping excursion, I was considering hybrids. I'm a tech nerd and a tree hugger, and would have loved to have purchased a hybrid. Yes, there is the initial sticker shock; especially with the Highlander Hybrid. With that, you're paying not just for the hybrid engine, but for everything that comes stock on a Limited trim Highlander, too. I figured if I was going to spend that much on a hybrid SUV, a Lexus RX-450h wasn't that much more of a stretch. If I was going to buy a hybrid today, I would definitely go with one from the Toyota family, and probably an off-lease Lexus RX-450h or 400h. It's no accident that the Prius is such a hot seller. Toyota clearly knows what they're doing. Even so, from a technology standpoint, I have to say that hybrid tech still has a ways to go. There are still kinks to work out, and it's still not cost-effective. My next car may be a hybrid, but I didn't choose one this time around.
For those who do want to take the hybrid plunge, I did speak at length with a few hybrid salespeople who knew what they were talking about. The batteries are intended to last the lifetime of the car. One salesperson was very upfront, and said he only knew of two instances where the batteries had issues, and Toyota, standing by their product, replaced the batteries free of charge.