I would call my Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV  “the ultimate driving machine” if the slogan was not taken by BMW. The engine, the drive-train, the electrical motor, the suspension work in perfect sync to deliver very powerful and smooth ride at an excellent mpg (about 25 on average).  There is one flaw tough that my 14 y.o. daughter Tina discovered in a natural and innocent way in the conversation below one morning when I was driving her to school.

Me: I ‘m very nervous driving today.

T: Why is that?

Me: Your Mom left a light on and drained the battery last night.

T: So…

Me: I recharged the battery this morning, however the car turns itself off at every red light and needs battery power to restart. I don’t know if the slightly recharged battery will last after so many restarts.

T: Why would the car turn itself off at every red light.

Me: The car turns itself off to save gas and protect the environment, because it is hybrid and because it is intelligent.

T: If it is so “intelligent” why wouldn’t it prevent the battery from draining overnight in the first place ?

The moral of the story is that no one can be brilliant in everything. Toyota produced brilliant driving machine, but the intelligence and human interface is something others are doing better.