 |
Hybrid Cars: A Closer Look
With recent events, there are many environmental and political reasons to reduce our dependency on petroleum fuel. Driving a hybrid automobile will allow you to cut your fuel consumption in half without much compromise. We found hybrids to be affordable, powerful, and comfortable.
How Hybrids Work
Hybrid cars are powered by both gasoline and electric motors simultaneously. One motor will provide the primary power while the second motor assists the first motor as needed. Hybrids never need to be plugged in. They generate all of the electricity they need when they coast and brake. Here is our evaluation of the hybrids built by Honda and Toyota based on a recent test drive.
Honda uses a highly efficient gasoline engine as its primary power source. This engine is so quiet that you can barely hear it, even with the hood open. As more power is needed, the electric motor kicks in and supplies added horsepower. So you get all of the horsepower you need with maximum fuel efficiency.
Toyota takes the opposite approach with their hybrid, the Prius. Toyota uses the electric motor as the primary power source and supplements it with a gasoline motor. So when you’re waiting at a light, the gasoline motor is off. As you accelerate away from the intersection, the gasoline motor will start automatically and provide additional power as needed. When the gasoline motor isn’t needed (such as cruising the parking lot or coasting down a grade) the motor shuts itself off and you’re back to electric.
Before driving a hybrid, we expected the worst in performance. We envisioned power on par with the sub-compacts of the 80’s – you know – gutless wonders. We were pleasantly surprised. While you’re not going to see many hybrids out at the track, they will get you onto the freeway quickly and up a hill with plenty of oomph. To illustrate, we test drove the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius on a route that included a 10 mile, 2000 ft climb up a hill. For good measure, we loaded each car with four healthy sized adults. Each car climbed the hill with ease at 65 M.P.H. and both models still had as much power at the top of the hill as when they started at the bottom. Needless to say, we were impressed.
Available Models
Here’s a peek at three hybrid models – the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius.
Honda Insight – This is the perfect commuter car. It's a two-seater, 5-speed that gets 61-MPG city, 68-MPG highway. It is also available in a CVT automatic that is slightly less fuel efficient. It has futuristic styling and comes loaded with features including power everything, dual air bags and ABS braking. It meets California's stringent Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standard. The Insight's lightweight aluminum body and reinforced frame are 47-percent lighter than a comparable steel body and have superior bending and torsional rigidity. MSRP is around $20,000 and your first tune-up is scheduled at 105,000 miles.
Honda Civic Hybrid – From the outside, there is no difference between the Civic Hybrid and the standard Honda Civic. So if you don’t want anyone to know you’re helping the environment, this is the car for you. The Civic has already established itself as being a reliable, practical, and functional car. The Civic Hybrid gives you all of that plus 46/51 MPG. It comes loaded with a power package, air bags, and 4-wheel ABS. First tune-up is at 110,000 miles and it comes with a 3yr/36,000 warrantee (8yr/80,000 on the battery). MSRP is around $21,000.
Toyota Prius – From the outside, the Prius will remind you of the Toyota Echo. But a closer look reveals that it's loaded with a lot of goodies. Like the other models, it's got power everything, AC, cruise, ABS, etc. It's also available with an on-board navigation system. If you’re into gadgetry, Prius is the answer. On the dash mounted computer screen you’ll see a nifty, up-to-the-second graphical illustration of the power train. Here you can tell which engine is powering the drive train and when you are regenerating your battery. A second screen will summarize your fuel efficiency on your current trip so you’ll see just how well you're doing. A third screen will help you manage the stereo (who doesn’t need that?). Check out Toyota’s web site for a quick demo of their computer. MPG is 52/45. MSRP is about $20,000.
Other Considerations
Battery Life – A concern with most people purchasing hybrids is the battery life. This is a valid concern as they are extremely expensive. Both Honda and Toyota have substantial warrantees on the battery component – they both offer an 8-year limited warranty on the batteries (80,000 mile limit for Honda, 100,000 mile limit for Toyota). This made us feel much more comfortable.
Resale Value – What’s a hybrid going to be worth in the future? Will there be a resale market for hybrids in a few years? Good question. Who knows? Used hybrids may be very popular (which we believe) or the current technology could be completely obsolete. In either case, consider leasing your hybrid. This way the value at the end of the lease is set when you buy the car. If the market for used hybrids is great, you may want to hang on to it. If not, let the dealer take back the car at the end of the lease. This way you don’t get stuck with a car of no value.
Hybrids offer the best of both worlds. With greater fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions, you can reduce your car’s impact on the environment. And you accomplish this without much sacrifice. Go ahead and keep your current driving habits (although this isn’t a license to be wasteful). Hybrids are moderately priced, are loaded with style, have plenty of pep to get you around, and with several 4 door models to choose from, hybrids are a smart and functional choice. What a great and stylish solution for the health of the planet and your wallet.
To learn more, check out these web sites:
Honda Insight
Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota Prius
|
|
