Whether you are the proud owner of a hybrid vehicle, or if you are just making the decision to switch from a combustion engine to a hybrid, you will find this article useful. We will outline the current style and performance since hybrid vehicles hit the market in 1999.
Although hybrid vehicles were a hot commodity during their inception almost 20 years ago, car makers have made several upgrades and improvements since, increasing the allure of purchasing a hybrid vehicle.
Style Improvements
If you are newer to the world of hybrid vehicles, one make and model may strike your memory; the Toyota Prius. Originally it was designed with an egg-shaped, futuristic body style. Some modifications to this design have been made over time. Its major draw has been what it offers in the way of performance. As of 2017, the Toyota Prius remains the top selling hybrid vehicle in the US, boasting 56 MPG.
If the Toyota Prius doesn’t strike your fancy, consider the other make and models available in today’s hybrid market such as the Ford Fusion hybrid, and even an SUV option; the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid. These are all named as the 5 Best Selling Hybrid Vehicles by HybridCars.Com.
In addition to the cost-conscious hybrid vehicles, luxury car makers are even offering a few hybrid options. Lexus offers 4 different hybrid vehicles; coupes, sedans, and SUVs alike. If that wasn’t enough, Acura, Cadillac, and Infiniti have all thrown their hats in the ring as well.
Performance Improvements
Not only have big named car makers made style improvements and diversified the options for consumers, they have also made improvements to the performance of hybrid vehicles. The battery pack is arguably one of the most important parts of the hybrid vehicle.
With that said, many complaints stemmed from a hybrid vehicle’s inability to out-perform its non-hybrid counterparts when it came to speed and the high cost of replacement battery packs. However, battery pack manufacturers took these factors into consideration when re-engineering the packs for hybrid vehicles. A few differences in the modern battery packs are:
- Less Expensive Battery Pack Replacement. Toyota and Honda have both made note of the high cost to replace battery packs, which deterred potential consumers. Prices on the battery packs have been slashed by both car makers, leading to an uptick in hybrid vehicle sales.
- Lighter Battery Packs. Hybrid vehicle makers have done their homework when it comes to cutting costs. The more the vehicle weighs, the more it takes to move it along. Without compromising space, how did they lessen the load, you ask? They decreased the weight of battery packs, in turn decreasing the overall weight and energy usage of the vehicle and increasing the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
- Longer Battery Life. Another heavily considered factor for potential hybrid buyers was the battery’s life. While many hybrid makers offer an extended warranty which includes replacement battery packs (e.g. Toyota Prius’ 10-year or 150,000 mile warranty) some consumers worry they would exceed this.
Are you considering a hybrid for your next vehicle? If so, weigh your options as there are many out there for the modern hybrid consumer. When you find yourself in need of an experienced and reputable hybrid mechanic, The Hybrid Geek has you covered.
Visit us at www.thehybridgeek.com to learn more about our services, or for more informative articles about all things hybrid vehicle.
