To hybrid or not to hybrid

[Anonymous]

I’m in need of a new car soon (current car is 20 years old), and would love to get a hybrid. We’re looking at the Toyota Highlander hybrid, which would be a great size for road trips, but the cost is a bit high and kind of big (RAV is too small). We were also looking at the Subaru Outback, which is slightly smaller (right-sized) but does not come in a hybrid and probably won’t fit a while but is about $10-15k cheaper. What would you all do? Need is not immediate but would like to act within the next year.

[Anonymous]

*won’t be; not won’t fit.

[Anonymous]

This is not really an apples to apples comparison. You need to look at the cost for a regular highlander versus the hybrid and compare your average yearly driving mileage. You can then calculate how much fuel savings you would have each year comparing the hybrid versus non and how long it will take to make up for the hybrid's higher initial purchase cost. Then, depending on how long you plan to have the vehicle, you will know when you start to "save" money on fuel costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not really an apples to apples comparison. You need to look at the cost for a regular highlander versus the hybrid and compare your average yearly driving mileage. You can then calculate how much fuel savings you would have each year comparing the hybrid versus non and how long it will take to make up for the hybrid's higher initial purchase cost. Then, depending on how long you plan to have the vehicle, you will know when you start to "save" money on fuel costs.

It would be cheaper to buy the size car I want that’s not a hybrid, but I fear buyers regret once hybrids an EVs become more mainstream a few years down the road when charging infrastructure is more prevalent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not really an apples to apples comparison. You need to look at the cost for a regular highlander versus the hybrid and compare your average yearly driving mileage. You can then calculate how much fuel savings you would have each year comparing the hybrid versus non and how long it will take to make up for the hybrid's higher initial purchase cost. Then, depending on how long you plan to have the vehicle, you will know when you start to "save" money on fuel costs.

It would be cheaper to buy the size car I want that’s not a hybrid, but I fear buyers regret once hybrids an EVs become more mainstream a few years down the road when charging infrastructure is more prevalent.

If we elect a new president, the charging in frastructute will not be happening.

[Anonymous]

Then just get a used hybrid. Since you only seem to be concerned about the cost.

[Anonymous]

I adore my hybrid and will never go back to an ICE. I was priced out of the grand Highlander hybrid and went with the Hyundai Santa Fe. Top line hybrid is $20k less and drives like a dream. Likely won’t last 20 years if that’s your goal, but the technology is changing so rapidly i feel like in 10 years there will be something significantly better worth looking at.

[Anonymous]

I had two hybrids and both lasted long without any issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then just get a used hybrid. Since you only seem to be concerned about the cost.

Used cars are almost as expensive as new ones these days; production hasn’t fully ramped up since COVID. My DH is paying double in car tax on his old Corolla than what he did pre-COVID.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not really an apples to apples comparison. You need to look at the cost for a regular highlander versus the hybrid and compare your average yearly driving mileage. You can then calculate how much fuel savings you would have each year comparing the hybrid versus non and how long it will take to make up for the hybrid's higher initial purchase cost. Then, depending on how long you plan to have the vehicle, you will know when you start to "save" money on fuel costs.

It would be cheaper to buy the size car I want that’s not a hybrid, but I fear buyers regret once hybrids an EVs become more mainstream a few years down the road when charging infrastructure is more prevalent.

If we elect a new president, the charging in frastructute will not be happening.

I don’t even want to contemplate that! However, I would think industry would push the advancement over politics, no?

[Anonymous]

OP, it sounds like you need start with the basics. What is your budget? What are the needs versus wants you have in a "new" vehicle? And by new, I mean it could be used or new (just new in comparison to your 20 yr old current vehicle). There are plenty of car comparison sites that you can see other brands and models that are in the same size/price range. Then, go test drive them to narrow in on what you like/dislike. Only after that, should you worry about full ICE, hybrid, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not really an apples to apples comparison. You need to look at the cost for a regular highlander versus the hybrid and compare your average yearly driving mileage. You can then calculate how much fuel savings you would have each year comparing the hybrid versus non and how long it will take to make up for the hybrid's higher initial purchase cost. Then, depending on how long you plan to have the vehicle, you will know when you start to "save" money on fuel costs.

It would be cheaper to buy the size car I want that’s not a hybrid, but I fear buyers regret once hybrids an EVs become more mainstream a few years down the road when charging infrastructure is more prevalent.

If we elect a new president, the charging in frastructute will not be happening.

[Anonymous]

The longer you own the hybrid, the more sense it makes. If you are the type that likes to replace your car every 5-9 years, then you get it if you want it, not for the savings. If you are the type to drive it into the ground and drive it until it can't be driven, then a hybrid makes more sense.

I had a Ford Escape Hybrid from 2006-2019. The hybrid cost about $9K more than the non-hybrid version (in 2006). I immediately got a $2300 tax credit because Ford still had tax credits available back then. I was driving about 16K-18K miles per year and was saving around $3K on gas because I was getting around 4mpg better gas mileage. So after 2.5 years, I had paid off the cost difference in gas savings. After that the $3K annual cost savings was all money saved.

In 2019, I bought a Toyota Highlander hybrid. It cost about $14K more than the non-hybrid model of the same. No tax savings anymore. I drive less now (about 14K-16K per year). I get about 3mpg better with the hybrid over the non-hybrid. But with the slightly higher gas prices now, I still save about $3K per year. So, in just under 5 years (e.g. earlier this year), I had paid off the cost difference of the vehicle in cost savings on gas. I am probably going to be keeping the car around another 9-10 years. So, at this point, all of the gas savings is money in my pocket.

We love our hybrids. Based on talks with friends, my next car is likely to be a plug-in hybrid. By that time, the kids will be grown and can probably downsize back to a small SUV (RAV4) or sedan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The longer you own the hybrid, the more sense it makes. If you are the type that likes to replace your car every 5-9 years, then you get it if you want it, not for the savings. If you are the type to drive it into the ground and drive it until it can't be driven, then a hybrid makes more sense.

I had a Ford Escape Hybrid from 2006-2019. The hybrid cost about $9K more than the non-hybrid version (in 2006). I immediately got a $2300 tax credit because Ford still had tax credits available back then. I was driving about 16K-18K miles per year and was saving around $3K on gas because I was getting around 4mpg better gas mileage. So after 2.5 years, I had paid off the cost difference in gas savings. After that the $3K annual cost savings was all money saved.

In 2019, I bought a Toyota Highlander hybrid. It cost about $14K more than the non-hybrid model of the same. No tax savings anymore. I drive less now (about 14K-16K per year). I get about 3mpg better with the hybrid over the non-hybrid. But with the slightly higher gas prices now, I still save about $3K per year. So, in just under 5 years (e.g. earlier this year), I had paid off the cost difference of the vehicle in cost savings on gas. I am probably going to be keeping the car around another 9-10 years. So, at this point, all of the gas savings is money in my pocket.

We love our hybrids. Based on talks with friends, my next car is likely to be a plug-in hybrid. By that time, the kids will be grown and can probably downsize back to a small SUV (RAV4) or sedan.

Thanks, this is helpful. Do you find the Highlander hard to park (city
, parallel, tight parking lots, etc.)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The longer you own the hybrid, the more sense it makes. If you are the type that likes to replace your car every 5-9 years, then you get it if you want it, not for the savings. If you are the type to drive it into the ground and drive it until it can't be driven, then a hybrid makes more sense.

I had a Ford Escape Hybrid from 2006-2019. The hybrid cost about $9K more than the non-hybrid version (in 2006). I immediately got a $2300 tax credit because Ford still had tax credits available back then. I was driving about 16K-18K miles per year and was saving around $3K on gas because I was getting around 4mpg better gas mileage. So after 2.5 years, I had paid off the cost difference in gas savings. After that the $3K annual cost savings was all money saved.

In 2019, I bought a Toyota Highlander hybrid. It cost about $14K more than the non-hybrid model of the same. No tax savings anymore. I drive less now (about 14K-16K per year). I get about 3mpg better with the hybrid over the non-hybrid. But with the slightly higher gas prices now, I still save about $3K per year. So, in just under 5 years (e.g. earlier this year), I had paid off the cost difference of the vehicle in cost savings on gas. I am probably going to be keeping the car around another 9-10 years. So, at this point, all of the gas savings is money in my pocket.

We love our hybrids. Based on talks with friends, my next car is likely to be a plug-in hybrid. By that time, the kids will be grown and can probably downsize back to a small SUV (RAV4) or sedan.

Thanks, this is helpful. Do you find the Highlander hard to park (city
, parallel, tight parking lots, etc.)?

Not really. I used to periodically drive a 14 passenger van, and had to parallel park that in Baltimore city on multiple occasions, so parallel parking isn't a problem for me. However, tight parking spaces could be an issue. If you have driven full-sized vehicles before, then it isn't a problem. If you are used to sedans, then you may need time to get used to driving a full-sized vehicle. I find that if parking spaces are tight, then I let the passengers out before I pull in and give more space on the driver side for me to get in and out. And then vice versa, I get in first, pull the car out so that the doors clear the cars on either side and the family gets in.

That said, I don't go into the city very often. I live and drive most of the time in the suburbs.