To hybrid or not to hybrid

[Anonymous]

Sorry - I am confused by hybrid comment from OP about "I fear buyers regret once hybrids an EVs become more mainstream a few years down the road when charging infrastructure is more prevalent."

Hybrids don't charge - they have a relatively small battery to store excess power made by the gas motor during driving and then use that stored power in an electric motor to supplement the gas motor, thereby improving fuel efficiency. You can get a plug-in hybrid with a battery and that charges to travel some distance before the gas motor kicks in,
but the Highlander is not a plug-in. I believe the hybrid Highlander is about 2K more than the non-hybrid Highlander, and get much better millage so that you would come out ahead with gas savings quickly (less than 2 years). (I understand that you are looking at non-hybrid Subaru versus hybrid Toyota, but don't be tempted by non-hybrid Highlander for small savings).

The real benefit of the Toyota hybrids (and why they cost so much) is that they are insanely reliable. I have a 2015 hybrid, and the engine looks like new when you open the hood. I feel like half the time, the gas motor off and the car is coasting on electric power, saving wear and tear from burning gas and pumping oil and coolant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m looking at the Santa Fe and Tucson plug-in hybrids, but can’t seem to find one in red. I thought they make them in red from my search, but I’m literally finding none.

[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.

I don't think it's going to be only a few years!

I have a PHEV and I love it-I bought it used and only charge at home. My adult dc has a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (not plug in) and they love it and get amazing mileage. Neither of us regret not buying an EV ( I did seriously consider it but did not due to lack of charging infrastructure where I live).

[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.

I don't think it's going to be only a few years!

I have a PHEV and I love it-I bought it used and only charge at home. My adult dc has a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (not plug in) and they love it and get amazing mileage. Neither of us regret not buying an EV ( I did seriously consider it but did not due to lack of charging infrastructure where I live).

Why can't you charge at home? We have an EV and a PHEV and don't need a charging network near where we live because we charge at home.

[Anonymous]

It's an odd time to buy a car. We're obviously moving from combustion engines to EVs. A lot of countries are beginning to ban the sales of new traditional gas vehicles later this decade. So the resale value of any vehicle with a typical engine is going to plummet, unless something special. But in the meantime, EV tech and infrastructure isn't here yet today to make it a convenient option for people living in apartment buildings or who go on long road trips or don't want to be bothered by long charging times and many other reasons.

I would hybrid for now. It'll retain its value much better than traditional vehicles and this generation of EVs.

[Anonymous]

The thing to remember with Toyota hybrids is that have much less maintenance along with the fuel savings. No belts to replace. No alternator. No starter. They also have less wear on the brakes since braking is mostly regen. The batteries seem to be good for at least 15 years. You still need to change oil and coolant on the hybrid battery. But other than that there is less maintenance overall. If it is only a few thousand difference I say hybrid if you are buying new.

[Anonymous]

I have a plug in hybrid and get 600-700 miles per tank. I know it’s not an exact comparison, but I will never get an ICE car again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry - I am confused by hybrid comment from OP about "I fear buyers regret once hybrids an EVs become more mainstream a few years down the road when charging infrastructure is more prevalent."

Hybrids don't charge - they have a relatively small battery to store excess power made by the gas motor during driving and then use that stored power in an electric motor to supplement the gas motor, thereby improving fuel efficiency. You can get a plug-in hybrid with a battery and that charges to travel some distance before the gas motor kicks in,
but the Highlander is not a plug-in. I believe the hybrid Highlander is about 2K more than the non-hybrid Highlander, and get much better millage so that you would come out ahead with gas savings quickly (less than 2 years). (I understand that you are looking at non-hybrid Subaru versus hybrid Toyota, but don't be tempted by non-hybrid Highlander for small savings).

The real benefit of the Toyota hybrids (and why they cost so much) is that they are insanely reliable. I have a 2015 hybrid, and the engine looks like new when you open the hood. I feel like half the time, the gas motor off and the car is coasting on electric power, saving wear and tear from burning gas and pumping oil and coolant.

OP - what I mean is that if I buy strictly a gas or hybrid now, I when public charging stations for plug ins and EVs are scarce, I may regret it down the road if they become more prevalent and having a plug in or EV makes more sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don't think it's going to be only a few years!

I have a PHEV and I love it-I bought it used and only charge at home. My adult dc has a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (not plug in) and they love it and get amazing mileage. Neither of us regret not buying an EV ( I did seriously consider it but did not due to lack of charging infrastructure where I live).

Why can't you charge at home? We have an EV and a PHEV and don't need a charging network near where we live because we charge at home.

We live in an old house and don’t have the electrical infrastructure to charge at home. Would need a massive heavy up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don't think it's going to be only a few years!

I have a PHEV and I love it-I bought it used and only charge at home. My adult dc has a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (not plug in) and they love it and get amazing mileage. Neither of us regret not buying an EV ( I did seriously consider it but did not due to lack of charging infrastructure where I live).

Why can't you charge at home? We have an EV and a PHEV and don't need a charging network near where we live because we charge at home.

PP here. I do charge at home - I said that in my post. I use a 120 volt plug (regular wall plug). My car's battery range is shorter than my long commute so I use some gas also. I do not have access to charging away from home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m looking at the Santa Fe and Tucson plug-in hybrids, but can’t seem to find one in red. I thought they make them in red from my search, but I’m literally finding none.

The santa fe definitely exists in red, but I think it just came out last month. They are definitely not easy to come by.

This is the inventory locator: https://hexorcism.com/HyundaiApp/inventory.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m looking at the Santa Fe and Tucson plug-in hybrids, but can’t seem to find one in red. I thought they make them in red from my search, but I’m literally finding none.

The santa fe definitely exists in red, but I think it just came out last month. They are definitely not easy to come by.

This is the inventory locator: https://hexorcism.com/HyundaiApp/inventory.php

This actually shows a bunch of reds within 100 miles. If you do end up buying one, I'd suggest looking at the costco autobuying program. I got it for significantly under MSRP that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don't think it's going to be only a few years!

I have a PHEV and I love it-I bought it used and only charge at home. My adult dc has a 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (not plug in) and they love it and get amazing mileage. Neither of us regret not buying an EV ( I did seriously consider it but did not due to lack of charging infrastructure where I live).

Why can't you charge at home? We have an EV and a PHEV and don't need a charging network near where we live because we charge at home.

PP here. I do charge at home - I said that in my post. I use a 120 volt plug (regular wall plug). My car's battery range is shorter than my long commute so I use some gas also. I do not have access to charging away from home.

Yes. I understood that. I asked because since you said you charge you charge the PHEV at home I didn't know why you would need charging infrastructure where you live. The additional info in your last post helped clarify.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m looking at the Santa Fe and Tucson plug-in hybrids, but can’t seem to find one in red. I thought they make them in red from my search, but I’m literally finding none.

The santa fe definitely exists in red, but I think it just came out last month. They are definitely not easy to come by.

This is the inventory locator: https://hexorcism.com/HyundaiApp/inventory.php

This actually shows a bunch of reds within 100 miles. If you do end up buying one, I'd suggest looking at the costco autobuying program. I got it for significantly under MSRP that way.

Thanks. We don't belong to Costco so we'd have to look into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

I’m looking at the Santa Fe and Tucson plug-in hybrids, but can’t seem to find one in red. I thought they make them in red from my search, but I’m literally finding none.

The santa fe definitely exists in red, but I think it just came out last month. They are definitely not easy to come by.

This is the inventory locator: https://hexorcism.com/HyundaiApp/inventory.php

Looks like it could be an interesting tool, but I'm not getting the search to work.