Should I go Hybrid vs all-gas for a long term vehicle?
Posted by Flintlock1990@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 33 comments
Looking at Mazda and Honda at the moment… CRV and the cx70/90s for the most part. CRV is offered in the hybrid but I’m wondering if that battery will come back to bite me several years down the line…. For context, I still drive a 2008 CRV, it’s got 187k on it
Emergency-Machine-55@reddit
Toyota's hybrids have historically been their most reliable models if you're willing to consider the RAV4/CX-50. Can't go wrong with the CRV Hybrid since it also uses an eCVT like the Toyota hybrids. I'd wait a few more years for Mazda to work out kinks in the CX-70/90. If you aren't concerned about range, you should consider EVs like the bZ, C-HR, and their Subaru versions. Unfortunately, Hyundai/Kia still haven't solved their ICCU issues. Politics aside, Teslas sell well for good reason.
Sharp-Being-5048@reddit
For CRV, 100% go hybrid. The price difference is worth the refinement alone. For CX70/90 get a warranty for either drivetrain.
Flintlock1990@reddit (OP)
Are you saying the Mazda drivetrains are susceptible to failing?
Sharp-Being-5048@reddit
I am not a Mazda tech so don't take what I say for granted. But many other owners as well as mechanics online are saying the Mazdas new inline 6 drivetrain is complicated, thus servicing will be expensive. The phev ones afaik had a lot of recalls, and I think by now they already offered revised variant. But still, imo these are not bulletproof drivetrains that you get in CX-5 for example.
ImpliedSlashS@reddit
The CX70/90 has dragged Mazda reliability down. The CX-50 hybrid is a Toyota powertrain.
mistman23@reddit
All Gas imo
IntheOlympicMTs@reddit
From what I’ve read they are going through teething issues as they’re fairly new.
ByeByeDemocracy2024@reddit
Yep I’d add touring for crv as well. Acoustic glass and waayyyy better sound system. It’s a great all around package.
SleestackMcGee@reddit
Hybrid. Next question.
Content-Insect-8770@reddit
Remember: while being the 'best of both worlds' for efficiency+range, hybrids are the worst-of-both-worlds for maintenance/repairs b/c you have to maintain/repair 2 separate drivetrains (battery+motor; engine+transmission). And they are very pricey/in-demand right now w/ gas prices where they are.
powe808@reddit
This is not true. For eCVT hybrids, the electric motor and transmission are combined into 1 unit, that has not friction clutches, torque converter, solenoid valves (except for parking solenoid), etc. A fluid change every 100k km is all I have had to do on my Honda hybrid. The batteries usually last hundreds of thousands of miles before giving problems and at that point they have more than payed for themselves, even if you figure the extra cost to by a hybrid vs gas. Brakes last longer and the gas engine will likely also last longer, due to the fact that it is not exposed to higher loads as frequently.
meltingpnt@reddit
Doesn't the honda typically use a clutch in their hybrids to improve fuel economy at highway speeds by engaging only the ice engine to the wheels with a clutch?
Content-Insect-8770@reddit
You change your oil once-in-100k km? And there are detriments to engines being run less often and repeatedly shutdown/started, as well.
Brakes lasting longer also applies to BEVs. No matter how you want to spin it, a hybrid will ALWAYS be more maintenance than a pure BEV.
powe808@reddit
The 100k fluid change was for the hybrid drive unit. Engine oil is done at around 16k km intervals.
Im not comparing a hybrid to a bev, im comparing to a regular gas car. Like myself, people generally consider hybrids because they need the benefits of all the range, and quick fuelling that a ICE provides while saving an extra 30-40% on fuel.
Content-Insect-8770@reddit
Fair enough. It's reasonable to think hybrid maintenance could be near-or-better than gasoline vehicles for the short-and-medium term, but OP specifically said 'long term'.
TheKoziONE@reddit
You are absolutely 100% clueless.
Hybrids are the most reliable vehicles especially Toyotas.
Content-Insect-8770@reddit
Yes, 2 motors is more reliable than 1. Thank you for educating me.
WizeAdz@reddit
An EV beats a hybrid for anyone who can charge at home.
Toyota’s eCVT is close to a differential gear in terms of mechanical complexity, and the batteries are very reliable as well. Traditional automatic transmissions can’t compete with that in terms of maintainability.
Hybrids are the culmination of over a century gasoline engine technology. They’re the best that the internal combustion engine has to offer. But they have very few of the benefits of a real EV.
Klutzy-Painting885@reddit
Plug in hybrids, maybe. But traditional hybrids are now considered to be more reliable than ICE engines.
https://youtu.be/KnUFH5GX_fI?si=9GPL7OTsusVfM0h5
Apprehensive_Suit373@reddit
Not all. Some hybrids have a single drivetrain. Battery + motor + range extending engine. So there’s no transmission
Content-Insect-8770@reddit
Fair enough, but it's still an extra engine to maintain (oil, filters, spark plugs, etc etc) vs a BEV.
sundaygolfer269@reddit
Toyota Prius hybrid is a popular used car for taxi cabs around the world. 400-600k miles is very common with no replacement of the battery. In Mongolia they herd cattle with the Prius hybrid. The Toyota RAV4 hybrid has the same battery. My $0.02
Brilliant-Onion2129@reddit
We aren’t there yet. All gas gets my vote for long term.
Zealousideal-Bag-345@reddit
Depends on how long you're going to keep it. I would recommend a 2021 Tesla model 3 or Tesla model y. The batteries are supposed to last like 400,000 miles. Insurance is higher on them. You can always go with liability only that's always a risk, but you can probably buy a high mileage one for about 13k. High mileage would be about 120,000 miles
Wisco777787@reddit
It depends on how much city driving you’re doing. If it’s a lot, then I’d go with the hybrid
Flintlock1990@reddit (OP)
None
SyntheticOne@reddit
It's 30 mpg combined for the non-hybrid and 40 mpg combined for the hybrid. Will this 25% savings on gas pay for the extra cost of the hybrid?
I would not worry at all about the durability of the hybrid battery; most hybrids will be junked with the original hybrid battery pack.
noladutch@reddit
I like manuals so that limits what I look at
Just the nightmares that modern auto transmissions are I want no part of it.
So that would put me in a Mazda 3 hatchback if I was shopping.
Diligent-Body-5062@reddit
The cx 70/90. Is very poorly built. Only half the engine is accessable. The timing chains are in the back. It has a beauty cover over the engine to keep in the heat. Lots of plastic parts next to the turbocharger that will decompose quickly. The car is not made to last. Look at consumers rating of it. The whole thing is bad.
Icy_Communication173@reddit
How long is your commute? How many miles per year?
Flintlock1990@reddit (OP)
I don’t commute. Maybe 8k a year would be a lot
Mr-Zappy@reddit
No way. Those hybrids are probably more reliable long-term: the transmission is way simpler, and the brakes last longer.
I drive a 2008 hybrid with no plans to replace it.
S7alker@reddit
Long term is always a goal, its things out of our control along the way. I have a 2012 escape hybrid with 150k miles and don’t even think twice about the battery. If its the cars time its the cars time.