To Hybrid or not to Hybrid

[Dapster1]

Thanks for the detailed response!
Cheers!

Sponsored

 

[notfast]

go with the AWD 4K and be back to one vehicle. I'm hoping that would offset some of the cost of the lower MPG with just one vehicle to insure. I just really had to convince myself that the AWD tow package was worth it for me.

I once owned six vehicles at the same time, and let me tell you, owning one newer vehicle that gets higher utilization is a lot cheaper than owning six old vehicles that spend 99.9% of the year parked somewhere. Maintenance and repairs on cars that sit around start adding up.

Even a commuter + truck doesn't make sense from a pure financial standpoint. The commuter would have to be very cheap and/or the truck have high maintenance costs in order to just break even at a reasonable time.

Picking tools or equipment (in this case, a truck) always comes down to two questions for me:

1. How often?
2. How far?

It seems like you're the type to go outdoors every weekend for who knows how far away. I think you should go with an AWD FX4, or hold your breath like me for the supposed Ranger PHEV and/or a Maverick hybrid AWD. I've had several 2WD and 4x4 trucks over the years, and I always get further in a box-stock 4x4/AWD than a kitted-out 2WD.

One of my 2WD F-150s had midtravel, Deavers, Detroit locker, 35s, etc. It was a pretty good dune/desert truck, and I consider myself a reasonably experienced off-roader, but I still got stuck a lot. One time I got stuck and was asking around if anyone had a 4x4. The "4x4" that came to rescue me? A 2001-ish Ford Escape with the single-speed transfer case. Quick tug and I was on my way.

 

[Amakrida]

Hybrid for me 100%. I drive an 08 Prius my wife has a 14 Prius C. We like hybrids. I see no use case for my needing AWD. I don't go off-road, don't intend too. This would replace what I do day to day with my Prius but with mir capacity in the back.

Although now I may need a fishing kayak...

 

[fordtruckguy]

I looked past the no AWD on the hybrid for the MPG benefit. After driving a forester that does 0-60 in 9 seconds (similar to what is estimated for maverick hybrid) for the way I like to drive not sure I can get used to that slow of a car. Not a speed racer by any means, but that slow of acceleration can be a safety issue in some situations. I'm hoping Ford made some improvements from the Escape hybrid and can get it in the 7s like the Rav4 hybrid.

 

[notfast]

that slow of acceleration can be a safety issue in some situations

If it's a safety issue, I suggest not ordering the vehicle, or ordering with a cancellation option. My last commuter had about the same acceleration (9 seconds or so to 60mph) and I didn't find it an issue here in Southern California while I was by myself. It required some more cognizant driving when I had passengers and/or cargo.

 

[bgn]

I currently drive a 2002 Honda Accord and it does 0 to 60 in 9 seconds.

I've never had any issues with feeling like it was unsafe to merge.

That being said, I went with the 2-liter for a bit more fun.

 

[oljackfrost]

I looked past the no AWD on the hybrid for the MPG benefit. After driving a forester that does 0-60 in 9 seconds (similar to what is estimated for maverick hybrid) for the way I like to drive not sure I can get used to that slow of a car. Not a speed racer by any means, but that slow of acceleration can be a safety issue in some situations. I'm hoping Ford made some improvements from the Escape hybrid and can get it in the 7s like the Rav4 hybrid.

We are all spoiled by the performance of late model vehicles. Here is a tidbit on an early 1965 Mustang:
As for straight-line performance, R&T's 210-horsepower 289/four-speed car did about what the editors expected: 0-60 mph in nine seconds (vs. 11.2 for an automatic 260), a standing quarter-mile of 16.5 at 80 mph, 110 mph all out, and 14-18 mpg.

 

[dceggert]

We are all spoiled by the performance of late model vehicles. Here is a tidbit on an early 1965 Mustang:
As for straight-line performance, R&T's 210-horsepower 289/four-speed car did about what the editors expected: 0-60 mph in nine seconds (vs. 11.2 for an automatic 260), a standing quarter-mile of 16.5 at 80 mph, 110 mph all out, and 14-18 mpg.

I am also old enough to remember pushing it nervously to 65 MPH in the 55 MPH National speed limit ever watchful of the radar gun. Today I regularly do 80 in the center lane of the highway while traffic blows by me in the right and left lane with some having a differential speed so fast they must be doing 100+. Mundane SUV's and minivans can really haul! It's a miracle there are not more highway deaths.

 

[fordtruckguy]

Drove an 80 hp 1980 300d Benz for a few years. So I am pretty familiar with slow cars. Just hoping they can get the acceleration on the hybrid maverick closer to the rav4 than escape.

 

[fbov]

... slow... acceleration can be a safety issue in some situations.

The hybrid drivetrain is not slow in those situations. It's slow 0-30 mph, because it launches in 6th gear (relative to the 8-speed). Passing and merging times are within a few tenths of a second, comparing Escape with 2.0L vs hybrid drivetrains, for the same reason. Once you're rolling, you won't have to floor either one.

 

[theek]

I regularly do 80 in the center lane of the highway while traffic blows by me in the right and left lane with some having a differential speed so fast they must be doing 100+. Mundane SUV's and minivans can really haul! It's a miracle there are not more highway deaths.

People have a false sense of security given all the additional safety equipment. If we drove 55mph again there would be far fewer deaths.

 

[theek]

The average car sold now would be a supercar before 1980.

 

[KimoCarew]

My 1980 VW Truck had front wheel drive and could barely hit 65 on a downhill stretch. In town it would get mid to high 20s in MPG. But dang it was functional. I cannot wait for my Mav, i just paid over $80 to fill up my Tacoma.

 

[KimoCarew]

We are all spoiled by the performance of late model vehicles. Here is a tidbit on an early 1965 Mustang:
As for straight-line performance, R&T's 210-horsepower 289/four-speed car did about what the editors expected: 0-60 mph in nine seconds (vs. 11.2 for an automatic 260), a standing quarter-mile of 16.5 at 80 mph, 110 mph all out, and 14-18 mpg.

Most of the Mustangs from this era had a straight 6 that made around 100 HP... we are truly spoiled.

 

[EugeDK]

I ordered an Ecoboost AWD but am totally torn between getting the hybrid. I wouldn't need AWD 99% of the time but it was nice to have in my Crosstrek with A/T tires when going camping or snowboarding. However, gas is so damn expensive now that I'm leaning back towards the hybrid. I don't need to tow anything either. Damnit Ford, why couldn't you have an AWD hybrid at launch.

If the Bronco Sport MPG is anything to go off of, the 2.0T is probably only going to get mid 20s at best, which is pretty lame. I need to make a choice before scheduling next week.

Decisions...Decisions....

Sponsored