Although hybrid vehicles have been on the market in the U.S. for more than two decades, they’re just now starting to become truly mainstream, thanks to the increasing urgency of climate change and constantly-fluctuating fuel prices.
Hybrids’ market share is only expected to grow in the coming years, especially as state and federal governments enforce tighter emissions standards. If you’re considering joining that expanding group of consumers, read on for a comprehensive list of pros and cons that will help you determine whether investing in a hybrid vehicle makes sense right now.
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How Do Hybrids Work?
In short, hybrid cars rely on both electric motors and traditional internal combustion engines to operate. The electric motor is powered by an onboard battery, while the combustion engine runs on gasoline or another fuel type. Specific driving conditions trigger one or the other system to take over, depending on which one is more efficient in those conditions.
For example, the electric motor is more efficient at idling or driving at relatively slow speeds, so in these conditions, the electric system takes over while the gas engine stays off. When the battery’s power gets low or when quick acceleration is needed, the gas engine fires up to simultaneously move the car and recharge the battery.
Many of the newest hybrid models use integrated technology to detect driving conditions and deploy each system to maximize fuel efficiency.
Why Buy a Hybrid?
Hybrid vehicles offer many benefits to drivers, but most people make their purchase with one primary goal in mind: saving money on gas. In addition to paying less at the pump, many hybrid owners also hope to minimize their impact on the planet by reducing their carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. However, there may be some advantages to owning a hybrid that you haven’t considered.
Pros of Hybrid Cars
Hybrids help you drive more efficiently
Hybrids are designed to drive the maximum number of miles on the least amount of gas, and the instruments in the control panel provide constant feedback to help you achieve this goal. While all cars are more fuel-efficient when drivers accelerate gradually and brake gently, with a hybrid, you can see the effects of this good driving behavior in real time.
Most hybrids show your current fuel-efficiency rate as well as average miles per gallon over time; many even show you how much battery power is generated by using the brakes. Watching your gas mileage improve as you drive can be addictive, motivating you to drive as efficiently as possible at all times.
Hybrids deliver excellent performance for city driving
Unlike traditional vehicles, hybrid cars get even better gas mileage in stop-and-go city traffic than they do on the highway. Every time a hybrid car brakes, it generates additional electricity to power the battery at lower speeds or during acceleration. Since most of us do the majority of our driving in urban and suburban conditions, hybrids are well-suited to our daily commutes and can deliver fuel efficiency of 50 miles per gallon or more on average.
Hybrids’ two engines are better than one
Even the fastest sports cars have only one engine to power their performance. Hybrids, however, have two engines: a robust electric engine and a modest gasoline engine. Each of these engines performs well in different conditions; with the electric engine, you’ll notice quicker accelerations from a dead stop, such as when you start moving again after a traffic light.
Hybrids are incredibly quiet
In contrast to the rumbling start of gas-powered cars, hybrid vehicles operate almost silently on electric power. In fact, you may not even hear a hybrid car approaching at low speeds or idling at a stoplight, which means reduced noise pollution in residential areas.
Hybrid cars stay warm and start smoothly
Hybrids are designed to prevent cold starts by storing coolant in an insulated chamber, keeping it warm for up to three days after the engine is turned off. In cold weather, you’ll enjoy smooth starts and a heater that fires up as soon as you turn the key. “Warm” starts also reduce wear and tear on the engine, meaning lower repair costs and a longer lifespan.
Hybrid cars are low-maintenance
In hybrid vehicles, the gas engine automatically shuts off when the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly, which happens quite frequently in typical city driving conditions. As a result, the gas engine experiences less wear, so you won’t need to change the oil as frequently (hybrid manufacturers usually recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles, compared to every 3,000 miles for traditional gas vehicles).
Brakes on hybrid vehicles also outlast their gas-powered cousins, since hybrids primarily use regenerative brakes that produce electricity. Because the vehicle’s standard brakes are used so rarely, they almost never need service.
Hybrids are reliable and long-lasting
One of the enduring myths about hybrid vehicles is that they don’t last as long as traditional vehicles, which couldn’t be further from the truth. In a Consumer Reports test, a Toyota Prius with more than 200,000 miles on the odometer performed just as well as a brand-new Prius from the same model year.
What’s more, hybrid components typically come with excellent warranties of eight to 10 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles, meaning you can buy with confidence. In fact, many hybrid owners report being able to drive for 200,000 or more miles without even having to replace the battery.
Hybrid cars have high resale value
Given the increasing demand for hybrid vehicles and their slower depreciation rate, you can expect to get a better price for your used hybrid if you decide to upgrade in a few years.
Hybrids often don’t require emissions tests
In many states, hybrid vehicles don’t need to pass an emissions test as part of the registration process, which can save you additional money and time. Be sure to check the requirements of your state and local government to confirm.
Hybrids can come with unexpected rewards
Purchasing a hybrid vehicle may qualify you for federal and state government rebates, tax credits and other incentives, adding to the financial rewards you’ll enjoy by fueling up less frequently.
Hybrids give you choices
Thanks to their growing popularity, hybrid vehicles are available in more models and price points than ever before. Most manufacturers offer at least several hybrid options, including Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Audi, Mini, Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, Kia and Chrysler.
Hybrids come in all sizes, from the compact Toyota Prius to the Volvo XC90 SUV, which seats up to seven adults in three rows. You can stick with a reliable classic like the hybrid Honda Accord or upgrade to luxury in a hybrid from Mercedes-Benz or Porsche. Whatever type of car you’re looking for, it’s probably available in a hybrid version.
Cons of Hybrid Cars
Despite all of these advantages, there are some caveats to consider before you head to the lot to choose your new hybrid vehicle.
Hybrids still cost more than conventional vehicles
While prices on hybrid models continue to fall, they still tend to be higher than their gas-powered equivalents. You’ll almost certainly recoup those costs in the savings you’ll realize from less-frequent fill-ups and oil changes, but you’ll have to pay a bit more up front first.
Hybrids lose some of their edge at highway speeds
When you drive your hybrid vehicle at speeds higher than 45 to 50 miles per hour, your gas mileage won’t be nearly what you’d achieve in stop-and-go city traffic. Most hybrids average in the low- to mid-40s for miles per gallon at highway speeds, and there are some traditional gas vehicles that can achieve those numbers.
If you spend most of your time on the interstate, a hybrid may not be the most efficient or economical choice for you with current technology.
Large hybrid SUVs are limited and don’t deliver great gas mileage
While the choices in the hybrid third-row SUV category are slowly expanding, there are currently only a few models available, and their fuel economy isn’t anything to brag about. For example, the Ford Explorer Limited Hybrid seats six and can tow more than 5,000 pounds, but its average fuel economy is only about 25 miles per gallon.
Hybrids may not perform as powerfully as gas vehicles
Many hybrids feature smaller engines than their gas counterparts, so you won’t get the same acceleration and speed with the former. They also tend to lack performance-enhancing components like sport-tuned suspensions that would diminish the efficiency of the vehicle’s operation.
Hybrid cars can be expensive to insure
The higher initial price tag of hybrid cars can increase the cost of insuring them, and the expensive replacement parts also factor into the rates your insurance company can offer.
Hybrid mechanics can be hard to find
While many auto repair shops are growing increasingly familiar with hybrid technology, if you live in a rural or remote area, you may have to drive a considerable distance to find someone to fix your car if something goes wrong. The relative rarity of hybrid mechanics also means they can charge more to repair your vehicle, at least until supply catches up with demand.
Final Thoughts
While hybrids don’t yet outnumber traditional gas-powered cars, these dual-fuel vehicles have irreversibly altered the future of the automotive industry, and their market share will only grow larger as geopolitical and atmospheric forces steer drivers away from fossil fuel technologies toward cleaner, greener options.
By purchasing a hybrid car now, you’ll be near the forefront of the hybrid trend, yet you won’t experience the same struggles that the very first hybrid owners experienced when the Toyota Prius hit the U.S. market more than 20 years ago. Hybrids are not only incredibly efficient, they’re also almost as affordable and just as reliable as their gas-guzzling cousins.
Between the money you’ll save on gas and maintenance and the high resale values you can expect down the road, for most drivers, the perfect time to invest in a hybrid vehicle is right now.
