Why do some hybrids get better gas mileage then other ones?

Question

For incense the TOYOTA PRIUS gets about 60 mpg while the TOYOTA Camry Hybrid
get about half that.

Answer 1

Hi, you've asked a pretty complex question. Get comfy...

The Prius is a specialty use vehicle. It is designed to get maximum mileage without making the occupants compromise that much (in other words, the Prius won't tow or accelerate as fast as some vehicles).

The Prius has a coefficient of drag (Cd) of .26. Now, this is not the only measure of how slippery the Prius moves through the wind, but we'll keep this fairly simple. For comparison, the Camry Hybrid has a Cd of .27, so in rough terms, the Prius moves through the air easier than the Camry.

Also, the Prius uses the most advanced version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive, when it's tuned for efficiency. The HSD can be tuned/programmed for a variety of uses such as power in the Highlander Hybrid or GS 450h, high efficiency in the Prius, or somewhere in the middle like the Camry or ES 400h Hybrids.

The Prius is a midsize sedan and weighs about 2895 pounds while the Camry Hybrid midsize sedan weighs about 3615 pounds, a difference of 720 pounds. This is equal to about four adults or about a 25% weight increase, not a little difference.

Plus, the Prius uses a much larger, more powerful bank of NiMH cells than the Camry because the Camry relies on a modified, more efficient version of the standard Camry/Scion tC 2.4 liter 4 cylinder for it's power.

The Prius uses a modified, more efficient version of the 1.5 liter 4 cylinder that is found in the Scion Xa, Xb, old Echo, and Yaris. The are very different engines, the 1.5 and the 2.4, and produce power in different ways.

That Camry Hybrid system is extremely efficient, don't get me wrong. It's so efficient that Nissan is using it, 2.4 liter gas engine and all, in the Altima Hybrid. So if you see an Altima Hybrid, it is a Camry Hybrid under the hood.

There are other smaller, but important, differences also. The Prius, like all full hybrids, is meant to be driven differently and the people that own them, once they learn to drive them properly, get excellent mileage. The Camry Hybrid is a full hybrid, but it is not seen as much of a high mileage vehicle as it is a very good car that happens to get very good mileage.

People perceive each differently, and technology and physics aside, people tend to drive based on what they perceive their vehicle is like. I know of very few pickup drivers that drive their trucks like Prius' and very few Prius drivers that drive like truckers.

BTW, I get between 51-53 mpg as an average, not peak, with a Gen 2 Prius (current model). That is with the auto temp/air and the stereo on.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

Firstly, there isnt a Prius in existance that has got 60mpg off the Toyota test track (i will eat ANY prius that has got anywhere near 60MPG - so, my prius free diet will continue). If you want 60+mpg either buy a diesel or a Smart - but then diesels kill people, so you only have 1 choice really.

There is a difference between the two "cars" mentioned because hybrids are overly complicated, pseudo green rubbish.

Answer 3

the Camry hybrid has a much larger gas engine than the prius does and gets better pick up. even though both are hybrids the one with the smaller gas engine will have much better gas mileage but not the pick up or will be a slower or not a powerful car

Answer 4

The Camry weighs almost twice as much enough said. The gasoline propulsion unit is larger 2.0 liter I think while the prius has a much smaller 1.3 liter motor

Answer 5

most of this is because of their size shape and weight ,this and the fact that the general public demanded we get cars out that get more mileage,and not all of them had the time needed to develop the technology they needed to insure they all got good mileage,but like you said there are some that do get real good mileage,and in time all of them will, but for now their building them to at least get them on the market,it may hurt sales some right now,but eventually they will all get better mileage ,and then reputation will sell them,good luck with this hope it helps.

Answer 6

camry engine is bigger than prius engine...also camry is slightly bigger and heavier...some application may differ as well, like fuel distribution or manfacturer....

Answer 7

you got 2 cars then???