What Are the Pros and Cons of a Hybrid Car?

These days, hybrid vehicles are more prevalent than they were even just 10 years ago. In fact, they currently account for around 3% of total new vehicle sales. That may not sound like much, but the forecasted growth rate of over 16% through 2025 has the hybrid vehicle niche firmly set in the marketplace. 

Image via www.hyundaiusa.com

People are switching to hybrid vehicles for a few different reasons. One, they’re better for the environment, and a fast-growing segment of people feel the need to do their part to help protect our planet. Another reason for purchasing a hybrid is for the financial benefits, including money saved at the pump and federal tax incentives. Of course, you shouldn’t rush right out and buy the first hybrid car you see. Before deciding if a hybrid vehicle is right for you, it’s important to know the pros and cons and what it means to own and operate one.

What Is a Hybrid Vehicle?

A hybrid vehicle uses the combination of a gas-powered engine and an electric motor to get its power. Car companies realize the potential of hybrid vehicles, and nearly every manufacturer offers at least one hybrid powertrain. Many car companies are offering several hybrid powertrain options for every model in their lineup.

Hybrid vehicles today perform nearly the same as their fully aspirated gas counterparts. They also look the same, so much so that you probably drive by them all the time without even noticing. 

Types of Hybrid Vehicles

Not all hybrid vehicles are created equally. Here’s a list to help you understand some of the differences between the various types of hybrids:

Parallel Hybrid

A parallel hybrid is the most common type of hybrid vehicle and is often just called a hybrid. It uses an electric motor that works in parallel with a gas engine to move the vehicle and has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. These types of hybrids can work in three different ways:

1. The electric motor and gas engine work together.
2. The gas engine works alone.
3. The all-electric mode works alone.

Mild Hybrid

Also known as micro-hybrid or light hybrid, the mild hybrid is engineered to fall in between hybrid and all-electric vehicles. In mild hybrid cars, you’ll find a smaller electric motor than in the full hybrid above. In this configuration, the battery can provide an extra boost to the engine. These mild hybrids don’t offer much in the way of fuel efficiency over the full hybrid but do provide better economy than gas-only cars.

Plug-In Hybrid

A plug-in hybrid is also referred to as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). These vehicles use a combination of electric and gas-power or can run off of all-electric power. PHEVs use battery power to move the car on short drives, but on longer trips, the gas engine kicks in to assist. To fully charge the battery, the vehicle must be plugged in.

Series Hybrid

Series hybrids are sometimes called range-extended hybrids and make up a much smaller segment of the hybrid market. They feature an electric motor and a battery that propels the vehicle. They include a gas engine, but its only use is to recharge the battery, not to propel the car. As the battery’s power level drops, the gas engine is engaged and begins recharging. It cannot completely recharge the battery, however, it only extends the range you can drive until you find a place to fully recharge.

Pros and Cons of Hybrid Vehicles

The pros far outweigh the cons when comparing a hybrid vehicle to that of a naturally aspirated gas-powered vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at what these pros and cons are to help you make an informed decision about purchasing a hybrid vehicle.

Pros

In almost every instance, you’ll see an increase in fuel efficiency when you drive a hybrid. Obviously, an all-electric vehicle like the Hyundai Kona will realize the most fuel savings because there’s no gas engine and a full recharge only costs about $10 at a charging station. Hybrid vehicles like the Hyundai Sonata can realize significant fuel savings as well thanks to a 58 mpg rating.

Hybrid and electric-only vehicles (EV) are greener than gas-only cars. Lower emissions are better for the environment, and more people are concerned about this than ever before. These cars are also great in urban environments where driving range isn’t a big concern and more charging stations are available. 

Acceleration is another pro most people don’t realize exists with hybrids and EVs. Electric motors provide additional torque when needed. Other than a more responsive throttle, hybrids drive the same as gas-only vehicles. Tax incentives to buy and own a hybrid vary by state, but they do make buying this type of vehicle more attractive. Unless you own a plug-in hybrid or EV, you don’t have to worry about your driving range because the gas engine still powers the car, and gas stations are on every corner.

Cons

One con is the price of a hybrid will be around 10% more than its naturally aspirated counterpart. The cost used to be much higher, but more and more hybrid vehicles are coming down in price. Take the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid for instance. It has an MSRP starting at $23,200. Not bad for a four-door hatchback. When you factor in the tax break for purchasing one, you might actually come out ahead.

Hybrid powertrain components are more expensive, particularly the battery. Most batteries cost $3,000 or more to replace. Warranties vary by manufacturer, so you’ll have to do your homework. Hyundai offers a lifetime warranty on their hybrid and EV batteries, plus they have a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on hybrid system components. 

Find the Right Hybrid Car for You

At Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth, Texas, we have the largest selection of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles in the region. We take pride in our ability to provide excellent service, and we’ve been doing so for generations. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have. You can contact us online or visit our showroom which is conveniently located on West Freeway in Fort Worth. Come in and test drive one of our hybrid vehicles and see for yourself the benefits of owning a hybrid from Hyundai.