Best hybrid vehicle - and why?

Question

What is the best hybrid vehicle and what is your postive comments about that vehicle please? Any supporting information you have a consumer guidance company is welcome too!

I imagine some will go with dependability, retaining value, getting the most for your money, endurance/power, etc...

ALSO: Do you think these hybrids will last and possibly become as popular as regular vehicles?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Volkswagen Jetta TDI using biodiesel.

Hybrids are a great concept, but their cost and maintenance concerns are too great. Their long term reliability is still up in the air and the only way to justify the cost of a more expensive vehicle to save fuel costs is to drive a lot to maek the fuel savings worthwhile. A hybrid vehicle has 2 major power plants. You essentially have twice the maintenance concerns (one of which is really expensive). Also, Hybrids are only efficient on short drives or in the city. The hyw milage estimates do not consider long term trips. After the vehicle is on the hwy and regenerative breaking power is used up, it has no fuel economy advantage over another small engined car. Since you must drive a lot to make the hybrid worthwhile, you must drive tons of city miles to make the gain worthwhile.

A Jetta TDI however will consistently get over 40mpg and up to 50 on the hyw. The powertrain is proven, a diesel engine designed for hundreds of thousands of miles. The power is excellent. Oil changes only required every 10,000 miles on new vehicles. They are bigger than a civic or carolla and the comfort and, style and refinement leave japanese cars looking like toys. Thier safety ratings are the highest in their class and they weigh 500lbs more than a civic. If you are looking to maximize fuel economy go with the Volkswagen Golf TDI, which is slightly smaller and lighter than the Jetta. Running on Biodiesel the particilate emmisions are nearly eliminated as well as vast improvements in many others. What other vehicle can you run on soybeans grown by a Kansan farmer?




According to fuel economy.gov a Prius EPA mpg claims 51/60mpg with 55 combined. Actual users only returned 47.9. The Civic hybrid is even less.

EPA listed jetta TDI for 36/42 with 38mpg combined while actual users returned 41.9 average. The Golf TDI return 46.2mpg, which is right in there with the civic hybrid and comperable to the Prius. This is because EPA testing is done in a lab and not real world driving conditions and diesels economy continues improve as they don't reach full power until 100,000 miles. Actual user returns will increase with more vehicles reporting after break in. 2004 models are reporting 45.9mpg


I personally wouldn't drop the premium that Hybrids are going for (especially the prius). The added cost for minimal benefit and increased maintenance concern isn't worth it to me. I'll drive my TDI on biodiesel for my green.











However, if you are going with a hybrid, I would go with the Prius. The economy and design is superior to the Civic and to me the Element is impractical. The Escape and Camry are too bloated to be practical fuel savers. The accord and saturns are impractical designs for much fuel savings. They are essentially a sales ploy.

By the way, I liked the consideration for needing to build and dispose of 2 vehicles as compared to a diesel. Also, Honda is developing diesels to bring to the US in '09-'10. Diesels are used in the rest of the world, who are laughing at us over hybrids.

Answer 2

I haven;t got one yet, but I am watching too. Check this website:
http://www.hybrid.com It is an interesting site.

From what I can see. The Ford Escape is a good hybrid value. It has been around for years and still has a good performance rating. The price is dropping since Ford is hurting. The Toyota looks good but expensive.

I think the hybrids will catch on when the gas hit $3.00 next time.

Answer 3

I still think that the diesel motors are more efficient, last longer, and in the long run are more "green" than the hybrids.

After all, those heavy-metal batteries do present some environmental issues, both during manufacture and disposal.

A good diesel car will run 500,000 miles, and I don't see anyone claiming that hybrids will rival that. What is the energy / environmental impact of building 2 cars instead of 1???