Would you buy a hybrid/electric car?
Discussion
Ironically, an electric powered car is going to optimise its green credentials in Manitoba, Canada almost more than anywhere else in the world as the vast majority of its electricity is renewable (hydro electric). The problem being is that the climate -30c in the winter and +30c in the summer means that you really need an ICE to heat and cool the car effectively and battery depletes more quickly if trying to fulfil these functions.
A few years ago Manitoba Hydro (the electricity company) invested in a fleet of honda civic hybrids, but quickly found that they didnt work that well and the workers complained about not being able to get the car warmed up and they reverted back to Ford superduty trucks for anything particularly out of town in the winter
A few years ago Manitoba Hydro (the electricity company) invested in a fleet of honda civic hybrids, but quickly found that they didnt work that well and the workers complained about not being able to get the car warmed up and they reverted back to Ford superduty trucks for anything particularly out of town in the winter
GTR rumoured to have a part electric system? as well as the NSX?
They would be much better to have than the current crop, i8 excluded.
the Technology is there (P1, 918) just needs to become viable for the masses.
(Heads up, New battery tech over the next few years will greatly increase ranges for electric cars, Sulphur batteries etc, and the fact its chemically possible to greatly reduce the size of batteries without losing charge density should help!)
They would be much better to have than the current crop, i8 excluded.
the Technology is there (P1, 918) just needs to become viable for the masses.
(Heads up, New battery tech over the next few years will greatly increase ranges for electric cars, Sulphur batteries etc, and the fact its chemically possible to greatly reduce the size of batteries without losing charge density should help!)
Wife recently swapped her 2.2 Diesel Civic for this…
The Lexus returns hybrid 55-60 mpg pretty much identical real life performance as a 320D, and unlike the Civic doesn’t sound like a tractor at idle, and is by far the most refined/comfortable car I’ve driven. I would choose a hybrid over any turbo diesel without a second thought.
I was so impressed by the EV mode of the Lexus I’m just in the process of replacing my much loved 380bhp (remapped), twin turbo, RWD, Quaife LSD equipped BMW 335i for a…..
Nissan Leaf!!!
Reason for the change…I’ve seen the potential of EV cars, and I want to be in one of theses ASAP…
You mentioned the Leaf costs £30K in your initial post, this is right but if you look on this section of the forum your see Nissan is doing some amazing deals.
I’m quite happy to drive something dull like the Leaf for very little money, but still get the chance to experience what a EV car is like…and in a few years time when I have saved up enough I’ll be swapping it for a Tesla S
The Lexus returns hybrid 55-60 mpg pretty much identical real life performance as a 320D, and unlike the Civic doesn’t sound like a tractor at idle, and is by far the most refined/comfortable car I’ve driven. I would choose a hybrid over any turbo diesel without a second thought.
I was so impressed by the EV mode of the Lexus I’m just in the process of replacing my much loved 380bhp (remapped), twin turbo, RWD, Quaife LSD equipped BMW 335i for a…..
Nissan Leaf!!!
Reason for the change…I’ve seen the potential of EV cars, and I want to be in one of theses ASAP…
You mentioned the Leaf costs £30K in your initial post, this is right but if you look on this section of the forum your see Nissan is doing some amazing deals.
I’m quite happy to drive something dull like the Leaf for very little money, but still get the chance to experience what a EV car is like…and in a few years time when I have saved up enough I’ll be swapping it for a Tesla S
stedaley said:
(Heads up, New battery tech over the next few years will greatly increase ranges for electric cars, Sulphur batteries etc, and the fact its chemically possible to greatly reduce the size of batteries without losing charge density should help!)
I wish the same could be said for the smartphones. 
white_goodman said:
Well, despite them having a lot of experience in this field and offering a hybrid version of most of their vehicles, I wouldn't buy a Toyota hybrid. Slow, heavy and mediocre handling. The fuel economy isn't that impressive either really, when any diesel worth its salt will do 50mpg+ and a decent turbocharged petrol will do close to that too (the 1.2 Golf that I hired recently although not that quick at the top end, was plenty lively enough at lower rpm and did an easy 45mpg). They only really make sense if you drive into Central London regularly (which I don't).
That is odd, when I was choosing my Prius it was lighter, quicker 0-60, and considerably more economical that the equivalent diesel Golf. Handling isn't too bad either.There seems to be three types of buyer
Performance and sexy stuff fans
Commuters and dirty mileage users who have petrol stuff for fun
General low mile no need for anything else types
I fall into 2 and 3, the Zoe suits the missus and the Leaf will be fine for my daily use, supplement it with a V8 and our family of 4 is sorted. EV cars are lovely commuters
However if I was 15 years younger and mess comfort orientated none of the above would apply
Performance and sexy stuff fans
Commuters and dirty mileage users who have petrol stuff for fun
General low mile no need for anything else types
I fall into 2 and 3, the Zoe suits the missus and the Leaf will be fine for my daily use, supplement it with a V8 and our family of 4 is sorted. EV cars are lovely commuters
However if I was 15 years younger and mess comfort orientated none of the above would apply
mikeyr said:
GeorgeMackmurdie said:
I have looked at converting Rover vehicle to electric power. I have a long history of coming outwith innovative ideas around Rover cars. Anyone who Google my name will see that.
George Mackmurdie.
I'd never heard of you until now George but having followed your advice... wow, just wow! I wouldn't encourage people to google your name when it brings up a list of allegations of fraud, theft and ineptitude. I'm sure that these are unfair of course.George Mackmurdie.
Super Slo Mo said:
I suppose it depends on what you're comparing them too, but the Toyota hybrids are an easy match for a 'standard' 140 or so bhp Diesel, in terms of performance and economy. If anything, their performance is more accessible due to having more or less full power available at any road speed.
I'd suggest the Toyotas are a reasonable alternative to a run of the mill equivalent from any of the other manufacturers, and, at least from my experience of the Auris, will easily out handle a Golf. Obviously if you're trying to compare one to a sports car, they're crap, but on a like for like basis, they're very comparable. Steering feel is non-existent though, but grip and braking power is astonishing for what is an ordinary family car.
Having said that, they're not particularly exciting, but then nothing equivalent is either.
Not sure why this has been moved off GG, as presumably the people that read this are more likely to own a hybrid/EV or be a fan (not that your opinions aren't valid but a bit like asking on the RS owners forum whether an Escort RS Turbo or Golf GTi is better).I'd suggest the Toyotas are a reasonable alternative to a run of the mill equivalent from any of the other manufacturers, and, at least from my experience of the Auris, will easily out handle a Golf. Obviously if you're trying to compare one to a sports car, they're crap, but on a like for like basis, they're very comparable. Steering feel is non-existent though, but grip and braking power is astonishing for what is an ordinary family car.
Having said that, they're not particularly exciting, but then nothing equivalent is either.
To be fair I haven't driven a Toyota hybrid but my grandfather-in-law has had three (2 old-shaped Priuses and an Auris). When he had the Priuses, I had MkV Golf TDIs as company cars and no, the 1.5 litre Prius wasn't as quick as my 2.0 TDI (140), was heavier and less economical. He went for the Auris with the bigger 1.8 litre engine next because the Prius had shot up in price (to be fair the Golfs have too). He said that it handled better than the Prius but was less economical. He now has a Skoda Yeti. Ironically, I now have a North-American spec Toyota Corolla (basically an Auris saloon). I have hired a Golf in the UK recently and I would say although the Corolla is fine, the Golf is a more fun drive. Independent rear suspension would be a big contributing factor to this I would say.
white_goodman said:
Not sure why this has been moved off GG, as presumably the people that read this are more likely to own a hybrid/EV or be a fan (not that your opinions aren't valid but a bit like asking on the RS owners forum whether an Escort RS Turbo or Golf GTi is better).
To be fair I haven't driven a Toyota hybrid but my grandfather-in-law has had three (2 old-shaped Priuses and an Auris). When he had the Priuses, I had MkV Golf TDIs as company cars and no, the 1.5 litre Prius wasn't as quick as my 2.0 TDI (140), was heavier and less economical. He went for the Auris with the bigger 1.8 litre engine next because the Prius had shot up in price (to be fair the Golfs have too). He said that it handled better than the Prius but was less economical. He now has a Skoda Yeti. Ironically, I now have a North-American spec Toyota Corolla (basically an Auris saloon). I have hired a Golf in the UK recently and I would say although the Corolla is fine, the Golf is a more fun drive. Independent rear suspension would be a big contributing factor to this I would say.
I thought the latest Auris has multi-link suspension. Anyway, I can't really describe it as fun, more that it's extremely competent. Mind you, I wouldn't really describe anything in its class as fun anyway, although I guess a Focus is quite good in comparative terms, but not build quality. To be fair I haven't driven a Toyota hybrid but my grandfather-in-law has had three (2 old-shaped Priuses and an Auris). When he had the Priuses, I had MkV Golf TDIs as company cars and no, the 1.5 litre Prius wasn't as quick as my 2.0 TDI (140), was heavier and less economical. He went for the Auris with the bigger 1.8 litre engine next because the Prius had shot up in price (to be fair the Golfs have too). He said that it handled better than the Prius but was less economical. He now has a Skoda Yeti. Ironically, I now have a North-American spec Toyota Corolla (basically an Auris saloon). I have hired a Golf in the UK recently and I would say although the Corolla is fine, the Golf is a more fun drive. Independent rear suspension would be a big contributing factor to this I would say.
I've gone from a Superb (so basically a stretched Golf) to an Auris estate, which despite having narrower and taller tyres, would run rings around the Skoda, which in itself was fairly impressive.
Super Slo Mo said:
I thought the latest Auris has multi-link suspension. Anyway, I can't really describe it as fun, more that it's extremely competent. Mind you, I wouldn't really describe anything in its class as fun anyway, although I guess a Focus is quite good in comparative terms, but not build quality.
I've gone from a Superb (so basically a stretched Golf) to an Auris estate, which despite having narrower and taller tyres, would run rings around the Skoda, which in itself was fairly impressive.
Well for some reason, if yours is a 1.6, then it does have independent suspension (according to the Toyota website) otherwise torsion beam like mine and every other North American spec Corolla. How much difference does it really make in a mid-range family car? I don't know but the cars that I have driven of that size with it (golf, focus and my civic) all drive sharper imho. The Corolla drives fine and I wouldn't be surprised that your auris handles better than a superb, as the superb is much bigger and heavier than the auris. A vw Passat also handles pretty well but not as nimble as a golf.I've gone from a Superb (so basically a stretched Golf) to an Auris estate, which despite having narrower and taller tyres, would run rings around the Skoda, which in itself was fairly impressive.
white_goodman said:
Well for some reason, if yours is a 1.6, then it does have independent suspension (according to the Toyota website) otherwise torsion beam like mine and every other North American spec Corolla. How much difference does it really make in a mid-range family car? I don't know but the cars that I have driven of that size with it (golf, focus and my civic) all drive sharper imho. The Corolla drives fine and I wouldn't be surprised that your auris handles better than a superb, as the superb is much bigger and heavier than the auris. A vw Passat also handles pretty well but not as nimble as a golf.
Mine's the hybrid version, so perhaps it doesn't have independent suspension. I will have to check it out. Like I say though, it's the lack of steering feel that lets it down, I reckon it would feel a whole lot more nimble if you could actually feel what the front wheels are doing .ETA: According to Toyota it's the 1.6 and the Hybrid that has independent rear suspension, and I've just confirmed it by going outside and having a look, it's double wishbone at the back. Probably complete overkill if you ask me, but it seems to be the way they're all going.
Interestingly (slightly) the Superb wasn't really any heavier than the Auris, it only weighed in at around 1450 kg, which is pretty good for such a huge car, I think it's on a par with a Golf too. Obviously being bigger means it's less willing to turn.
Edited by Super Slo Mo on Wednesday 25th March 09:00
I've taken a PHEV Outlander as a company vehicle for the next 6 months, 5% BIK is hard to ignore. I've only had it for 400 miles so far, but it gets me to and from work on electric, is not a bad place to sit in and has plenty of space for the missus, kids, dogs etc. As a daily tool I quit elike it so far - not as dynamic as some previous cars, but it's only 6 months before I can swap it again.
The silent driving is pretty cool though - very relaxing.
The silent driving is pretty cool though - very relaxing.
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