Hybrid vs. Regular Car

If your unscientific findings are fairly accurate, they certainly prove that hybrids in north country are a waste of money.

If your findings are correct, than isn't Ford falsely reporting fuel consumption?

If your findings are correct, then isn't Ford falsely reporting fuel consumption?

Ubnfortunately, as with most things in life, misinformation breeds misinformation. The Escape hybrid is as far from a true hybrid as you can get. This report is only going to lead people in the wrong direction when it comes to understanding "true" hybrid vehicles and the benefit to themselves and the environment.

I love Jodi Johnston.

why don't they make simple cars that people can afford with great gas mileage that would make alot more sense to me.

And if you own the car 50 years, you will really, really see a savings! That one extra mile really will add up.

Look - Cars are a bad investment. If you know mechanics and can fix a car - the savings are great. I for one put on more than 600,000 on three Chevy's. Don't care how they look.
They get me where I should go.

This story is about as unscientific as you can get. This story really touched a nerve as an up and coming member of a very green generation. As a Prius hybrid owner, my exeperience has been entirely positive AND ECONOMICAL! The Prius in my experience averages approximately 47 miles to the gallon. I shopped around quite a bit before purchasing and crunched the numbers. As a long distance communter, the Prius continues to save money especially with rising gas prices.

The technology of hybrid cars is in its infancy. Things have continued to improve over the years. Why would Channel 2 even consider to report such an unscientific study? It only leads me to question the merit of further reporting.

Let's face things head on. Gas prices are skyrocketing and CO2 emissions are through the roof. There is no silver bullet that will fix the problem.

People who purchase a hybrid car make several statements. Until recently, the statement was mostly concern for the environment and their own personal carbon footprint. However, since gas prices are rising quickly hybrids are now looked at as an smart investment. I commend and thank all hybrids drivers. I extend the thank you from generations to come. We're all shaping the world future generations will live in. Shouldn't we be doing everything we can?

The american auto makers need to manufacture more hybrid passenger vehicles, they are spending too much time on hybrid suvs that still don't get good gas mileage.

Chris wrote:

The american auto makers need to manufacture more hybrid passenger vehicles, they are spending too much time on hybrid suvs that still don't get good gas mileage.

The thing of it is that the auto makers know that the consumer really wants to drive an SUV sized vehicle. They know that people are turning to the puddle jumpers because they have to for affordability reasons; but they're not really happy about it.
Sure there's a relative handful of eco types out there trying to make to make one "statement" or another by driving vehicles with engines made by SINGER but the majority aren't happy being shoe horned into those cheese boxes.
If or when the makers come up with the technology to make driving SUV's affordable they'll fly off the dealers' lots and the Tonka Toys will just sit there.
That's why the makers are putting so much affort into making fuel efficient SUV's. Happy consumers in their fuel efficient SUV's will equal happy stockholders, and that's what it's all about.
As far as WGR's test between the two types of vehicles goes....it is what it is.

"AAA consulant says consumers should really own a Hybrid vehicle for six to seven years to truly see the savings."

Does AAA consider the fact that oil will be $200.00 a barrel in 6-7 yrs?

The premium price on a hybrid will never be justified with ever increasing gas prices.

What were many people driving 6-7 yrs ago?
Big heavy SUV's and such.

Infuriated 20 something wrote:

This story is about as unscientific as you can get. This story really touched a nerve as an up and coming member of a very green generation. As a Prius hybrid owner, my exeperience has been entirely positive AND ECONOMICAL! The Prius in my experience averages approximately 47 miles to the gallon. I shopped around quite a bit before purchasing and crunched the numbers. As a long distance communter, the Prius continues to save money especially with rising gas prices.
The technology of hybrid cars is in its infancy. Things have continued to improve over the years. Why would Channel 2 even consider to report such an unscientific study? It only leads me to question the merit of further reporting.
Let's face things head on. Gas prices are skyrocketing and CO2 emissions are through the roof. There is no silver bullet that will fix the problem.
People who purchase a hybrid car make several statements. Until recently, the statement was mostly concern for the environment and their own personal carbon footprint. However, since gas prices are rising quickly hybrids are now looked at as an smart investment. I commend and thank all hybrids drivers. I extend the thank you from generations to come. We're all shaping the world future generations will live in. Shouldn't we be doing everything we can?

SMUG ALERT!!!

The comments you made regarding Hybrid Technology are incredibly false. It is misinformation such as this that light another cigar for the oil companies. I have been running a large fleet of Hybrids and the increase in mileage is significant, they operate normally in winter and due to high resale value are the cheapest vehicles in our fleet. A dealer that can not get an adquate supply will always steer the customers to available product. If you had taken the time to see what is available now, you would know that the operators of those vehicles had no interest in the technology and its benefits, My Highlander Hybrid AWD averages gets 10 mpg more than your escape, my wifes camry gets 40 mpg winter and summer, My customers go to toronto and back on 4 gallons of gas all year round.

I think your story about the Ford Escape hybrid probably tells more about Ford than Hybrid technology.
Try the Toyota or Honda Hybrids. They know how to do it.
To chose a model from a company that is rapidly losing market share only tells of their failings and lack of commitment to lead in technology. If you want a gas guzzling truck that will last a couple years before the body rots off...Try Ford.

At least you acknowledged that the report was unscientific. But you do more damage by mis-reporting than you do by saying nothing at all. Gas milage has much more to do with a driving style than anything else. If you still own the two trucks and you still employee the two camera men, switch them and instruct them to continue driving the same way. A friend has the escape hybrid and "unscientifically" reported to me a 29mpg average. Why isn't that news?

kinda funny that my regular toyota corolla gets 36 mpg and has interior volume of 90 cubic feet with 140 horsepower and cost me $14K

ford escape gets 18 mpg and has interior volume of 99 cubic feet, 146 horsepower and cost $9K MORE.

God i can't wait until gas is $8 a gallon and there will be no more SUVs on the road.

I thought atheists don't believe there is a God.

Who was left in charge of figuring out the mileage? It is absurd. My brother has owned the Ford Escape Hybrid for about a year now and he achieves 34 mpg in the city with the 4 cylinder. Furthermore, his $4,000 premium that he paid for the hybrid was reduced by $2,000 as a credit on his tax return. Somebody is wacked at Channel 2.

It's all a joke!

They have the technology to build better fuel efficient motors but for the fact that oil is the blood of the world economy, they will not release them. If there is no need for oil, the worlds economy will crumble.

That is a fact!