The current issue of Consumer Reports -- the annual car issue -- has a long, close look at hybrids. It comes to familiar conclusions: Hybrids save gas, emit less pollution and CO2 (which "many believe" leads to global warming), are a signal of good intentions, and have extremely high user-satisfaction ratings. However, they won't save you money relative to other vehicles in the same class. I know some greens find this story obnoxious, and I usually do too, but CR is pretty scrupulous about it and there's no arguing with their facts. They don't address the moral good of buying a hybrid, or the less tangible benefits of ownership (identity, etc.), but then, that's not the kind of magazine they are.
I am glad to see them paying more attention to fuel economy generally.
An amusing side note: In their short, blurby review of the Hummer H3, the magazine comes as close to editorializing as I've ever seen:
The H3 brings the Hummer mystique to a lower price range. It is derived from the Chevrolet Colorado pickup and shares its 3.5-liter, five-cylinder engine. This engine struggles to move the 4,900-pound H3 and only delivers 14 mpg overall. Handling is clumsy but secure, helped by the optional stability control. The ride is stiff. Off-road performance, however, is terrific. Visibility is poor because of the small windows and thick roof pillars. The rear gate is heavy. Unless you encounter boulders on your commute or crave the attention, other SUVs are far more practical choices.
Sounds great!
Still, there's no close analysis of whether Hummers will save you money relative to other vehicles in their class. It's almost as if people buy cars for reasons other than saving money ...
Comments
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odograph Posted 10:44 pm
06 Mar 2006
They call the Prius a "small car" on page 19 and compare it with a Corolla. The EPA calls the Prius a midsize. Ooops, on page 23 of their magazine consumer reports again calls the Prius a midsize (and the corolla a small car).
The comparison of a larger Prius against a smaller Corolla makes the hybrid price premium look larger than it is.
Another reader (M1EK) notes that in the "hybrid hype" section they say the Prius has worse depreciation than the Corolla, but later in the magazine rate the Prius as "much better than average", but the Corolla, merely "average".
Fudging the depreciation data of course also makes the hybrid price premium look larger than it is.
... a little more here
I try to be fair, but it really seems that with those two "adjustments" the "hype" guys are working a little hard to get the answer they want.
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amazingdrx Posted 2:17 am
07 Mar 2006
Hehey, nice job disproving that statement odo!
Great blog too!!
Add plugin (at a reasonable price, say 4k with a 2k government tax break) to these hybrids and all the objections on fuel savings not paying for the extra cost of hybrids flys right out the window.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog
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Biodiversivist Posted 2:33 am
07 Mar 2006
The hype comes into play only with the term hybrid. A Prius is a Prius, the fact that it obtains its performance via hybrid technology is irrelevant.
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Help acquire and protect ecological hotspots, give to a conservation organization: http://www.saveourbiodiversity.com
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odograph Posted 3:29 am
07 Mar 2006
I sometimes wonder if that is because Surfrider attracts people focused on ocean (and not land/air) health or ... it is simply people joining to label themselves and their 4x4s as surfers ;-)
(thanks Doctor X)
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David Roberts Posted 3:50 am
07 Mar 2006
Anyway, BioD's point is good: It would benefit the cultural conversation if we could all talk less about hybrids per se and more about fuel efficiency, which can be achieved in a number of ways.
www.grist.org
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odograph Posted 4:12 am
07 Mar 2006
... we're on the same page with respect to efficiencies.
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sphinxie Posted 5:00 am
07 Mar 2006
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odograph Posted 5:45 am
07 Mar 2006
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/cto/CTOintroController
The thing is, that uses the EPA sticker values for yearly fuel prices. I think those are still stuck at some old, low, values. Subtract that out of their fuel costs, and add in your fuel costs for your driving distance.
If you want to make it more accurate, get your likely insurance rates from your insurance agent.
I don't really think you can do one calculation for everybody, because you fall into that trap of deciding what are "equivalent" X and Ys. I needed a hatchback. The Prius is, none of the equivalents normally offered are at all.
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odograph Posted 6:09 am
07 Mar 2006
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid: $36,281
2006 Honda Civic EX Sedan: $37,341
That's a price difference of $1060, but Consumer Reports comes up with a diff of $3,700!
What's the deal? Maybe they are using their 'loop' mpg data. If I subtract out the gas cost for the two, and put back in the 12,000 mile per year cost for $2.50 (my current local price), I get:
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid: $36,423
2006 Honda Civic EX Sedan: $36,592
Hey, identical?
That's with 47 mpg for the hybrid and 31.5 for the regular, from the EPA's "real world" site, for automatics. Feel free to check my math (please).
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Kit Stolz Posted 6:22 am
07 Mar 2006
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odograph Posted 6:27 am
07 Mar 2006
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid: $37,286
2006 Honda Civic EX Sedan: $37,188
I'm probably doing something wrong ... but if I'm not, jeez.
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odograph Posted 6:55 am
07 Mar 2006
I should try to slow down.
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Captain America Posted 12:12 pm
07 Mar 2006
Hummers:
A vehicle for the arrogant rich.
Hummers are a in-your-face statement to the "average" man, from the rich man. That is the single biggest reason for purchasing one.
Hummers are all about Man's lust for power, status and the ego.
..
America First
The World Second
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