Hybrid Car Comparison Reveals Minor Differences

While hybrid technology is being flaunted as a means of saving gas while saving the environment, a hybrid car comparison may find that some of the claims may be slightly misleading. Most everyone is familiar with the EPA standards in regards to estimating a vehicle s gas mileage and they also know the estimates are usually higher than those realized in real world driving situations. Similar experiences are found when a potential buyer conducts a hybrid car comparison between different makes and models.

While some of the newer hybrid vehicles can achieve getter gas mileage than other vehicles, the comparison with the same model with a gas-only power plant often sees such a minimal difference that it could take as long as five years of saving gas to pay for the price difference in the two types. When conducting a hybrid car comparison, do not only compare hybrids but also look at the same model with a gas engine.

When people claimed they would consider a hybrid vehicle if they could find one with the acceleration they were used to as well as a trip length they needed and the comfort they felt they were worthy of, many car companies jumped on the chance to add an electric motor to their existing vehicles to meet those demand. Doing a hybrid car comparison reveals that gas savings is typically only seen during acceleration which an amount as little as four or five miles per gallon over the course of a one-tank trip.

Ask If Mileage Justifies The Expense

Most people are accustomed to their cars having a reach of 300 to 350 miles per tank before they have to stop for gas. Many of the small hybrid vehicles may only have a 10-gallon tank for weight reduction and better mileage, but still will only have a reach of about 250 to 300 miles per tank. A hybrid car comparison of same-car models, such as the Honda Escape, available with and without hybrid technology, shows a real life gas mileage comparison of about eight to 10 miles per gallon.

While that may seem like a significant savings over the life of the vehicle, figure in the vehicle cost difference of three or four thousand dollars, and the savings may not be as attractive. Many of the SUV hybrid car comparison tests show the mileage of most of them offering miniscule differences, relying instead on the exhaust output and lower pollution to justify the increased cost.