6 Questions To Ask When Buying a Hybrid Vehicle
With all the buzz about hybrids lately, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype.
Hybrid vehicles offer better gas mileage for sure and they’re also an environmentally sound alternative with less emissions and pollutants. A hybrid vehicle is also economical in the long run, and those who own them say they’re fun to drive, but what exactly is a hybrid vehicle and is owning one right for you?
1. What Is a Hybrid?
There are vehicles that run on complete electricity, but for this post, I’m referring to a hybrid which has two engines under the hood; one of the engines is electric and the other is powered by internal combustion just like the non-hybrid vehicles we’re accustomed to driving. These two engines work both independently and together as well, moving the vehicle down the road and taking us to our destination with ease. Because hybrid vehicles use both engines, we’re assured of much better gas mileage and less emissions.
Now that you know what a hybrid vehicle is, you may wonder if owning one is right for you. Here are a few questions to ask before taking the hybrid plunge:
2. What Are My Options?
Hybrid vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. There are luxury hybrids, like the Lexus GS 450h and the Lexus LS 600h L sedans, hybrid SUV’s for a growing family, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, which will get you about 34 mpg city and 30 mpg highway and the Toyota Highlander hybrid, which offers 3rd row seating and can accommodate up to 7 passengers. For truck lovers or those who want to go big, GMC offers the Yukon hybrid, while Chevy gives us the Tahoe hybrid, and anything a conventional Yukon or Tahoe can do, their hybrid cousin can do just as well, but with better fuel economy. Chevy also offers the popular Malibu hybrid sedan and Chrysler is scheduled to come out with the Dodge Grand Caravan hybrid, just to name a few more in the ever exploding world of the new hybrid automobile.
3. What about the Battery?
Since a hybrid vehicle needs an electric engine, you’ll want to know about battery pack replacement and longevity. How long can you expect the battery to last? The answer depends on the auto manufacturer, however 8 years or 100,000 miles is said to be standard.
4. How Much Does a Hybrid Cost?
Research and compare used and new hybrid vehicle prices online, in your local paper and by visiting dealerships in your area. A 2008 Toyota Prius is listed at $21,500.00 base price, while you can purchase a used one for less. A 2009 Malibu hybrid starts at about $24,695.00, while it’s more conventional model compares at $20,748.00.
5. What about Warranties?
When buying a used hybrid vehicle from a dealership or private owner, you’ll probably want to find out information concerning battery pack replacement coverage. If warranty coverage isn’t available, the price of the vehicle should be discounted on a vehicle which may need a new battery pack soon.
6. What about Safety?
According to Cars.com, who took a look at the 12 most popular hybrid vehicles, they found that most hybrid vehicles had safety features which are equal to their non-hybrid counterparts, including side curtain airbags, electronic stability systems which are currently the standard on seven of the hybrids, while others offered advanced stability systems. On the other hand, they point out that some hybrids, like the 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid and the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid, don’t offer the AdvanceTrac stability feature as the non-hybrid Mercury Mariner and Ford Escape do.
Do Your Homework
Again, research is key in determining what hybrid vehicles have to offer and what is important to you as a consumer.
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Actually, ALL hybrids sold new in the USA are covered by a minimum of 8 year/100k mile warranty, and in CA and several other states that’s extended by law to 10 years/150k miles. That is the warranty period covering all hybrid components of the vehicle, including the drivetrain and high voltage/hybrid battery.
The lifespan of the high voltage/hybrid battery is not the warranty period, it is in fact the useful life of the vehicle. Remember that hybrids have been on the roads in the USA now for almost 10 years. If the batteries were dying in large numbers, you’d be hearing about it. Instead, it’s just bandied about by poorly researched bloggers. There are a *few* instances of hybrid batteries dying, and in most cases they are doing so under warranty. Folks that have had them go out after warranty (say, after 110k miles) are finding the prices are dropping considerably from the doom and gloom figures quoted in years past. For instance, a Civic Hybrid on a forum I follow is at 109k miles and has a bad battery. Replacement cost INCLUDING labor? $2,500. Not too shabby considering the vehicle had no issues prior and has saved the owner (who bought it used, thus not incurring the drive-off “penalty”/depreciation of a new hybrid) considerably in fuel costs since they bought it.
I am thinking of hybrid. But my only concern is does it cost more to maintain versus a regular car?
My brother told me that because of its electrical component it some mechanics don’t want to work on them being that they don’t have the experience with working on hybrid cars.
There is a post over on The Green Motorist that goes great with this article – http://www.thegreenmotorist.com/index.php/when-will-a-hybrid-save-you-money/ . It shows you exactly how far you would have to drive with a hybrid to actually save money on gas. Right now hybrids have a very high premium, so you will need to drive 18-80k miles before you start seeing any sort of financial benefit.
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