A recent Newsweek article noted that sales of Honda Accord hybrids dropped 69 percent in April, while sales of the Cadillac Escalade increased 127 percent. That comparison is misleading. The Accord has poor sales because it has poor fuel economy for a hybrid. (The Escalade is fodder for another rant.) Automakers are producing an entire class of hybrids that calls into question the application of this technology.
Consider these figures (from the manufacturer):
- 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid — 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway
- 2006 Honda Accord LX/EX (non-hybrid) — 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway
Am I missing something here? The difference between the regular Accord and the hybrid is almost $10,000. There's little difference in fuel economy. No wonder sales of the Accord are dipping. The advantages are minimal, though hybrids do cut down on emissions, which is important to the automaker who must meet pollution targets set by the EPA. How this benefits the consumer is unclear.
The civic-minded Civic hybrid offers real fuel economy: 49 mpg city/51 mpg highway. The regular, less fuel-efficient Civic is $6,000 cheaper. That's a lot of moolah. How many tanks could you fill for six grand?
We can argue over these figures (some owners claim much higher fuel savings; however, some diesel owners claim similar savings). I'm simply using the manufacturer's specs to make a point: hybrids offer limited benefits.
The Ford 2007 Escape Hybrid boasts 36 mpg city/31 mpg highway (front-wheel drive) and 32 mpg city/29 mpg highway (four-wheel drive). The regular model is in the low 20s for each, about a 10 mpg difference. But according to Kelly Blue Book, you can find a model that gets 24 mpg city/29 mpg highway. Again, it seems there isn't much to distinguish the hybrid from the regular model.
I don't want to compare apples to oranges. Some models have more power or larger towing capacities, but I have found that for the typical, fuel-conscious driver, even that's not important. I opted for a 4-cylinder Toyota Camry over the more powerful V6 simply to save on gas. It doesn't have the kick of a V6, but at cruising speeds, it's equal. If I wanted a sports car, I would have purchased a Corvette.
Article comments
1 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
"The civic minded Civic hybrid offers real fuel economy: 49 city/51 highway. The regular, less fuel-efficient Civic is $6,000 cheaper. That's a lot of moolah. How many tanks could you fill for six grand?"
I did the math based on a 10 gallon tank, which is what I think the Civic has. Based on gas at $3.00/gallon, which is what my father-in-law in MN tells me it costs, that is 200 fills for $6,000. When we lived in the States, we did an average of 60 fills a year. So the Civic hybrid is priced in such a way as to charge you for all the gas you'd need over a three year period. Of course, if the Civic has an 11 gallon tank, the math changes a bit, but not significantly.
2 - Dave Nalle
These anomalous numbers for gas mileage on some of these hybrids are the result of stupid, stupid design. The Accord like the GM hybrid trucks, uses the hybrid engine to increase horsepower and acceleration rather than to increase gas mileage. It totally defeats the purpose of having a hybrid engine. The Accord could get 10mpg better mileage if it had been sensibly designed.
As you pointed out the the Ford design is far superior. If you want a hybrid SUV I'd recommend the Mercury Mariner which gives you the best bang for the buck with good mileage, luxury and a price under $30K. It's the closest you'll get to an Escalade hybrid for a while.
Dave
3 - Mark Adams
Ruvy:
But remember, the regular Civic gets 30/40. If I drive 15,000 miles a year, that's about 45 tanks, that's $1,350 in gas. In the hybrid, it's 30 tanks, coming to $900. That's a savings of $450. If my math is correct, it would take 13 years to break even. Drive more and you cut that time down. But, remember, the warrenty on your batteries expires in about 7 years. How much will it cost you to replace them?
Again, these figures are really rough, but valid given Honda's figures.
The Prius remains the best choice at 60 miles per gallon.
4 - Joey
Isn't there a hefty battery change out due at year 3 or 4?
How much are those batteries? 3k 4k?
Where's the cost benefit in that?
5 - Mark Adams
The Honda has a seven-year warranty on the batteries. It will cost a bit to replace them, though that cost keeps dropping as the technology becomes more common.
6 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Not that it could make a difference to me - I gavew up driving when I moved here and gas is twice as expensive here as it is in the States - but you're saying that the Civic hybrid is even less of a bargain than I thought it was.
In all truth, there is a much cheaper way to run cars with already existing technology - if I figure out how to get the funding to do it, you'll hear more...
7 - B. Goodman
Your $8000 difference compares the Camry Hybrid to the lowest model, Camry CE. The Camry Hybrid has power seats, dual climate control, upgraded interior fabric, Smart Key (you drive the car with the key in your pocket!), and more. The car compares better to the XLE version, so the difference is much less. Of course, if you don't value those extras, then you are right about the difference.
BTW, I'm buying a Toyota Camry Hybrid (TCH) in an effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which I see as a potentially grave threat to our country. I'm not trying to save money, per se. Besides, as more people buy hybrids, the prices will come down. This is also true of the battery packs by the time my TCH needs a replacement. As a "bonus", if Iran should choke off the world's oil and we find ourselves not just facing $5/gal gas, but gas shortages and long lines, my choice will seem brilliant.
As for the Accord hybrid, I think Honda's problem was that they lacked the room to find their I-4 engine and their electric in the engine compartment. They HAD to use the V-6 because its "V" shape let both motors co-exist. I suspect the next-gen Accord will have room for the I-4 and electric!
And you neglected to mention the tax credits, federal and some states, plus HOV exemptions in some states (VA & CA for example).
Finally, good advice is to decide what class of vehicle you NEED and buy the one in that class withh the best mileage. It may not be a hybrid.
(If we could just quit wasting gas idling at long stop lights....)
8 - Mark Adams
Goodman,
Yes, the Camry is respectable. As for extras, it really comes down to what you need in a car. As upper-end models go, the Camry is the leader (features and fuel economy). The Honda is just a shame.