Would you buy a hybrid?

[poppyseed23]

Could I ask if you have a hybrid and would you recommend it? Do you enjoy driving it?

Thanks x

Yes we have a self charging hybrid (Kia Niro). It’s very fuel efficient and automatic so easy to drive. We thought it will hold its resale value better

My friend loves her little hybrid, she bought it brand new (I don't know make and model sorry, it's small). I was a bit surprised at the mpg as she said she was getting high 70's in terms of fuel use, which is better than my combustion which gets low 60's but I was surprised the difference wasn't greater. But then I'm not knowledgeable on the physics of the design so maybe that's typical maybe not... It is better than a combustion, just not by as much as I expected.

Thanks so much for your replies.
I'm nervous to change from my faithful diesel and concerned about battery life but feel like I should embrace it!
I don't do many miles so thought it might be the way forward.

I have a Yaris self charging hybrid. Very fuel efficient, auto transmission which drives very smoothly. Also very responsive! DH said he'd never drive an automatic (I only hold an auto licence) but since getting this one he would rather drive my car than his! I can't say I enjoy driving it as I only drive out out of necessity but I've driven a couple of cars over the course of learning to drive and I prefer it to the others

We have a Volvo estate hybrid. Electric range is only around 25 miles, but we tend to drive locally 90% of the time so it suits us fine.

Definitely change from diesel if your mileage is low.

If you look at Hybrids you need to remember not all are self-charging. If plug in then you either need a charger at home or access to public sites.

If you're doing short journeys I can definitely recommend - my hybrid is MUCH more efficient for these than DH's diesel car. Just read up on reviews as I believe some hybrids are less efficient than others

A friend of mine's hybrid Lexus didn't work in hybrid mode because he uses his car so little. Other than plug-in hybrids, the car can only charge when it's being used.
"Self charging" hybrid is just marketing bollock speak for "hybrid"
If you have a driveway and don't use a car very often, a plug-in hybrid might be better.
The reason MPG isn't radically different is that the car has to lug around batteries and an engine - so on electric power you are dragging the batts and engine about, on engine power you are lugging the electric gubbins (and charging it).

As for reliability - Toyota Priuses have been around for years - some of the taxis etc have galactic mileages on the original batteries - also the cost of new batteries is falling as they become more popular.

Not all plug-in hybrids need a dedicated charger - many will charge from a standard socket - don't forget even the plug-in ones are "self charging" in that they will charge on the move.

I've got a plugin hybrid.

I love it. It has the right amount of battery for my daily commute (although in winter it likes to warm up the engine, so I do still use some petrol), and even with the cost of electricity it's still cheaper than petrol (just)

Mainly though, it's convenience - I don't pass a petrol station day to day, and being able to drive on electric most of the time means that I only have to detour once a month, and I can string it out if I need to - same if I run out of charge, I can just use the petrol.

Even if I haven't charged, just the regenerative braking means that I spend about 1/3rd of my time on electric.

There was an issue recently where the little battery (it still has a normal engine battery) was knackered by sitting in the car at piano lessons and such - but they swapped that under warranty, and it went through a host of software updates, so hopefully that won't happen again.

I have an Audi plug in hybrid and think its fantastic. My journey to work is 15 miles each way and I easily make that on a single charge especially in the summer. I charge it at work then again at home overnight. In April/May I managed 1200 miles on a single tank of fuel - granted, most of my journeys were work or local but still, its a massive saving. When I didn't have the car for a month earlier this year I didn't notice my electricity usage dropping hugely. On long journeys I use the petrol engine and its not particularly economic but tbh for the times that happens its not a big deal.

Did have a Toyota CRV ( i think) self charging hybrid last November as a hire car and didn't like it at all. The fuel economy was rubbish compared to my Audi.

Forgot to add - mine has 3 charging leads so can charge in a standard 3 pin socket (as well as at the dedicated charging points if I want). Its also VERY fun to drive especially in sports mode although this does eat up the charge and fuel!!

I'm about to make the change from diesel to self charging hybrid because of the ULEZ expansion. I'm most concerned about the switch to automatic as I have only ever driven manual so it's going to be odd at first. I've not got it yet as it's brand new.

I'm hoping that by the time I need to replace this one the infrastructure for full electric will be far better.

If you do mostly small trips hybrids can be a good idea. You are not forking out thousands for battery capacity you will hardly ever use, plus you have the ICE backup if you want to do a longer journey.

The range they do on battery only is variable though. Some do 20 miles or less, some 30-40, so it is important to get one that has an electric range consistent with your longest usual trip.

If you are doing lots of short runs they will be better than a diesel, as short runs damage the diesel exhaust system, which needs high temperatures generated by long runs.

Finally you can charge them from a standard plug socket, they just take longer than a dedicated charger. But since you are charging them to 1/10 of the capacity of a fully electric car, the reduction in charging time means they will take less time - most will fully charge overnight on a standard socket.

We have a self-charging hybrid (Auris). It's fab, can't believe we left it this long to swap! It's really easy, and enjoyable, to drive.

I said charger but of course that could anything from a 13A socket to a fully-fledged charger.

Maybe I should have said charger point

We have had Prius and Auris hybrids, but have switched to fully electric. Takes a bit of planning on long journeys, but even in the wilds of the Highlands of Scotland last year there were plenty of charging points.

We have one petrol car & one plug in hybrid. The hybrid often achieves double mpg as the car switches to electric/petrol to achieve the best efficiency. We love it but personally wouldn’t go for a non plug in.

I’ve just changed my diesel Honda crv for a self charging hybrid crv automatic and I LOVE it!

Lots of great review videos on Youtube once you get recommendations on here. I believe the Toyota Yaris Cross achieved 100mpg which is incredible but does depend on the roads you drive on. What Car? reviewed them.

We looked at a plug in hybrid but couldn't commit as the limit on using electric power only was limited I think to 30mph which is great if you entire commute is on 30mph roads or less.

Thank you all for your replies, super useful x

I have a self charging hybrid Toyota Yaris. I find it very economical for about town driving. On a motorway it will use petrol so less efficient. It is a 1.5 engine so has some power. It is automatic, that is how they are so I didn't get any choice in it. I had never driven an automatic before so was a concern, but it is easy once you get the hang of it. I have had it 7 years and at that time it was zero car tax. It is more now if you buy new.

I just got a Yaris Cross hybrid and have to say I absolutely love it, as does my husband who had never driven a hybrid or automatic before. It just drives much nicer! Smooth, quiet, easy. My husband says he’ll never go back.

Self charging hybrid (aka full hybrid) Honda Jazz here. 2-3 times the mpg of my previous 20yr old petrol, couldn't have come at a better time with the recent increases in fuel price. One thing to note is the battery is less efficient during cold weather, so winter fuel efficiency is less than summer, 60mpg cf nearly 80mpg. Not great fuel efficiency, but if you can bear the embarrassment of driving around in an "old person's car" the Jazz has a lot going for it, particularly in terms of reliability and space.