ROFLOL....

....it never fails.

 

And what was I referring to when I said "it"? Seems you're having more issues with understanding what you read.

Aside from that, aren't you being a bit of a hypocrite?...

"ROFLOL"

 

I really don't see the point of these "performance" hybrids with v6's and v8's. Generally speaking, those that want a "green car" or "maximum fuel economy" typically want a 4cyl hybrid like the Escape, fusion, camry, prius, insight, or some other small to midsized 4cyl car. And the rest of us that want "performance" and "hp" wouldn't mind taking the cheaper regular v6 model and aren't too crazy about maximum fuel economy or saving the environment. The highlanders combined 26mpg is actually good, but it's a compromise when you realize that the Escape hybrid averages about 32.5mpg combined. The average person probably doesn't want to pay a premium for a hybrid system, at the same time those mpg and environmental-conscious individuals that would pay the premium would probably lean towards the escape hybrid because of its greener-image. I think Toyota should have gone with a 4cyl engine in the Highlander hybrid. Didn't the accord v6 hybrid fail because of this reason?? because it wasn't seen as "green" enough.

I have the same problem with GM's full size v8 2mode hybrid trucks and SUV's, especially when their bread and butter hybrid cars that would really benefit are stuck with half-assed mild-hybrid systems. Somehow, i don't think fans of hybrid vehicles are lining up to buy gas-guzzling full-sized v8 trucks/suv's. Especially with the advances and improvement in fuel economy in regular non-hybrid 4's, 6's, and 8's...the $$ premium and small improvement in fuel economy isn't worth it in vehicles of this size imo. I think hybrid tech should be limited to small and midsized 4cyl cars where the benifits and increases in fuel economy are more noticable and significant.

 

You guys want to just take your pissing match to PMs? No point in hogging up this entire thread with it is there?

...That being said...

It's nice to see some more reasonably positive press for GM. Regardless of power difference, which wasn't what the article was about at all, it's good to see some positives without the obligatory "but it felt cheap (or some similar variation)"

 

Personally I agree that they just don't appeal much to me or seem to have a whole lot of a point since power and economy don't tend to be a major concern for the same person. I can see why Lexus does it... it's the "have your cake and eat it too" mentality, not to mention Lexus drivers often want to have the 'hybrid' image without the hybrid lack of power.
But I think the Highlander would be a more appealing product with a hybrid 4 instead of a hybrid 6.

The hybrid Accord did poorly for that exact reason according to most writeups I've seen about why it was discontinued. Good but not great mileage, and decent power, but that just didn't excite most potential Honda hybrid buyers enough when the competition offered much better economy.

 

I never got this, why is there no median of "some fuel efficiency" and some "performance"

I dunno... I mean fuel mileage was important to me with my car, I could have gotten better fuel mileage with a 4 banger, and would have been cheaper. I test drove a 4 banger with 4spd auto, and said screw it, felt waaay underpowered. Got in the V6 and loved it. V6 is not fast from a stop or would be in any sort of racing, but honestly it does a wonderful job passing. Don't know if shift points and speeds were carefully programmed but car hits powerband perfect whenever I need to pass or speed up.

 

Well, imo most v6's today offer that median by offering decent fuel economy, decent performance, and a decent price. GM's DI 3.6L is an excellent example. The v6 camaro averages 23.5mpg combined which is the same as the v6 camry and 2mpg better than the 3.6L non-DI Malibu v6. That's impressive considering one is a 3,7XXlb rwd performance car. Today's more modern DI v6's and 6spd transmission combinations offer a good compromise between power, fuel economy, and cost. This new DI I4 in the equinox is also fairly efficient and the output is pretty good for a 4banger. Same with the DI 3.0L. DI tech and more forward gears have helped non-hybrid engines narrow the gap in terms of efficiency/fuel-economy.

My original rant questioned the use of hybrid tech in larger engine/vehicles. The 3.3L hybrid highlander averages 5mpg (combined city/hwy) more than the regular 3.5L highlander. The Silverado hybrid offers about 4.5mpg average gain over a 5.3L silverado. By comparison, a car like the fusion hybrid averages 10mpg more than its already efficient regular 2.5L nonhybrid sibling. I guess my original point was that hybrid tech's real benefit and gains are seen in small to midsized cars with 4cyl engines with the gains shrinking as the cars and engines the hybrid tech is mated to get larger.

Maybe it's just that i'm not a fan of hybrids and the use of such tech in larger engines/vehicles makes even less sense to me. Imo, i'd rather take the regular 3.5L highlander which already gets a decent 21mpg combined and use the $7k i'd be saving vs the hybrid highlander towards fuel costs.

 

In a premium vehicle like the Lexus, it makes more sense.

But if a performance increase as well as an increase in fuel economy is the goal, i think alternative tech like DI and turbocharging, etc... are better suited and come at a lower cost. This is why i think Ford is smart in pushing their Ecoboost tech as a means of improving both performance and fuel economy in their normal cars while using their hybrid tech strictly for mileage purposes.