What is it like to drive a hybrid car?

Question

For example, a Camry hybrid or something similar. How do they drive? Is performance lacking?

Also, how does it impact the car's reliability and longevity? And are repairs complicated or expensive? Thanks for the insight.

Answer 1

Driving a hybrid is like any other car except for one thing. When the car is stopped for more than a few seconds, the gasoline engine is shut down automatically. This can be a little eerie at first, as you find yourself sitting in silence. But step on the accelerator and the electric motor gets the car underway until the gas engine cuts in. There is no starter in the conventional sense since one isn't needed.

If you replace the batteries after the warranty expires, it will most likely cost several thousand dollars. Toyota claims prices will drop as hybrids become more popular; battery packs currently run around $4900. However the pack contains 38 modules that can be replaced individually for $138.00 each. Honda's Insight and Civic hybrids have an 8-yr./80,000-mi. warranty on most of the powertrain, including batteries, and a three-year/36,000-mile warranty on the rest of the car. The Prius has an 8-yr./100,000-mi. warranty on the battery and hybrid systems, plus a three-year/36,000-mile warranty on everything else. The electric motors and batteries don't require maintenance over the life of the vehicle.

Answer 2

I test drove one at a dealership, it wasn't any different than a regular car from the trip that I took. The battery was low so the engine was always on anyway. good luck.

Answer 3

Clean, Quiet,

Boring.