Buying a Hybrid Car

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What you need to know about Hybrids

While most automakers are pushing the all-electric agenda, some brands such as Toyota, continue to sell hybrid hatchbacks, sedans, and crossover SUVs to a growing market in record numbers while the public is somewhat lukewarm on EVs. 

Why do Americans prefer hybrids over EVs? 
Common reasons include a lack of convenient charging stations, limited driving range, and the higher prices EVs fetch.
 
According to Reuters, U.S. sales of hybrid vehicles jumped 76 percent to 801,550 units last year and hybrids now account for 5 percent of U.S. light vehicle sales. All-electric vehicles also jumped an impressive 83 percent in 2023 to 434,879 sold, representing 3 percent of the market.
Toyota posted record sales for hybrid cars in America, overtaking General Motors as the top-selling automaker in the United States. According to Brett Smith, technology director at the Center for Automotive Research, "Hybrids offer a really intriguing mix of fuel economy performance without some of the huge drawbacks that electric vehicles represent."
While EVs run on electricity only and require a robust charging infrastructure from coast to coast to support long distance travel, hybrids combine a traditional gasoline-powered engine with one or two electric motors and a battery pack for superior fuel efficiency over traditional gas cars. From the consumer's point of view, a hybrid vehicle transfers power seamlessly from gasoline to electric power and back, so the driving experience is the same as driving a conventional gas-powered car. You don't have to do anything different from what you are used to when driving a hybrid car. Honda is the number two seller of cars in America and boosted hybrid sales by 67 percent last year compared to sales in 2020. Dave Gardner, executive V.P. at Honda told Reuters, "We hope to increase our hybrid sales of core products such as the CR-V and Accord substantially in the coming years as we prepare for battery electric vehicles." Honda will launch its first EV, the Prologue SUV, to the U.S. market in 2024.
 
Many consumers see hybrids as a "gateway" to plug-in hybrids before stepping up to an all-electric vehicle.

How Hybrids Work

The modern age of hybrid cars really began with the Toyota Prius which debuted in America in 2000. To date, over five million of these reliable people movers have been sold and many have over 300,000 miles on their odometers. The Prius and the many conventional hybrids that have followed from various automakers are referred to as Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV). These are different from Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) that have larger battery packs. These can be plugged in to recharge the battery and can drive further (as much as 45 miles) on electric power only.
Under the hood of a hybrid vehicle, you'll generally find a small gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor to supplement horsepower. Electric motors are compact and powerful, producing amazing torque. For instance, the current fifth generation Prius rolls on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform features a lower center of gravity and larger diameter tires.
 
Three powertrain options are available starting with a 1.8-liter, 138 horsepower ICE engine. A 2.0-liter option produces 190 horses. The larger engine can be upgraded from hybrid to plug-in hybrid.
All hybrids have a standard 12-volt auxiliary battery to power such things as the radio, power windows, and other accessories when the engine isn't running. The separate hybrid battery, also known as a traction battery, is what gives a hybrid vehicle better fuel economy and acceleration. It also lets you drive the car at low speeds on electric power only. The traction battery pack is composed of either nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion and is usually positioned near the rear axle to protect the battery.
 
While you are driving a hybrid, regenerative braking turns the electric motor into a generator to capture electricity and charge the battery pack, adding more electric range. Hybrids are capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 35 percent and give you much better mileage. For instance, the new Prius has an EPA rating of 57 mpg combined. All mileage is EPA Estimated.

Why Buy a Hybrid?

If you do a lot of highway driving or enjoy longer road trips, a hybrid might be the perfect vehicle for you and your family. Compared to an all-electric car or a PHEV, hybrids are lighter because the battery packs are smaller. Plus, you don't have to think about range anxiety or charging anxiety that is sometimes experienced by drivers in EVs who worry that they will run out of electricity before they can find a charging station while on a trip.
 
These days you can find hybrid vehicles that fit a variety of driving needs, from sleek sedans and hatchbacks, to compact crossovers, off-road ready SUVs, even practical pickup trucks. Recent studies report that over the lifetime of the vehicle, hybrids cost less to maintain than traditional gasoline-only cars.
Hybrids put less stress on the gas engine, leading to less engine wear and maintenance. Brake pads and rotors last longer on hybrids thanks to regenerative braking, and routine maintenance costs are no more expensive than on a conventional gas-powered car.
 
Unlike an all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, you don't need to plug anything into a hybrid or buy expensive charging equipment. You put gas in it and drive it, just like a traditional car. The only real difference is that you get a lot more miles to the gallon in a hybrid and reduce the amount of polluting emissions you are spewing into the air.

Buying a Used Hybrid

Hybrid vehicles have been around for over 20 years, and they have been proven to be extremely reliable for the long haul. As such, they have earned a reputation for being excellent used cars. A used hybrid can be a terrific buy; you avoid new car depreciation and can still reduce the cost of fuel as well as enjoy a lower emissions and a lower cost of ownership overall.
 
Keep in mind that hybrid battery warranties are excellent. The Toyota Prius has a 10-year or 150,000-mile warranty of the battery pack, and hybrid batteries are built to last longer than the life of the car! 

*See dealer for limited warranty details.
Let Lithia Help
If you are thinking of buying or leasing a new or used hybrid vehicle, Lithia Motors has your back. With over 75 years of experience and hundreds of dealerships all across America, Canada, and the United Kingdom, we have the right answers to all your personal transportation needs.