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After waiting 18 months my Maverick Hybrid XLT arrived. It is great in town, but for me the most severe test for any vehicle in the eastern US is the West Virginia Turnpike. I was concerned that the Hybrid wasn't up to the task, but it is as good on the turnpike as it is in town.
For those unfamiliar with the turnpike it runs between Princeton, WV and Charleston, WV. All four lane divided highway with frequent and unexpected lane closures. Elevation at Princeton is 2400 ft, Flat Top Mountain, the highest point on the road, is 20 miles from Princeton at 3700 feet, and Charleston is 600 feet.
The first half of the turnpike is long curving stretches, some with 5% grades, up and down connected by curves posted at 55 miles per hour. The general speed limit is 70, so the average speed is about 75. The section north of Beckley, WV is 22 miles of tight curves, with short ups and downs with a posted limit of 65. The average speed is about 70. The rest is generally flat with sweeping curves heading into Charleston.
I had read that the hybrid was not at fast as the non-hybrid at 0 to 60, and I was concerned that the hybrid wasn't capable of keeping up with traffic on the up/downs. Sometimes it is necessary to accelerate from 70 or 75 to 80 or 85 on an uphill and brake to 55 on a downhill to keep from getting run over by other traffic.
I went north to Charleston last week and south to Princeton this week. Temperature was 89 on the trip north and 44 on the trip south.
The hybrid worked far better than I could have imagined. Acceleration uphill was no problem. There was no hesitation in acceleration and the speed gain was immediate. I went from 65 to 85 on a 5% up grade just to see what happened. There was no problem. I've driven a 2013 Honda Pilot on the turnpike. The Hybrid was just as good.
The curve section with lots of braking was not a challenge. The brakes didn't grab at any speed. The curves were easy to handle.
I took pictures of the instrument panel that I will post if I ever figure out how to download them from the phone.
On the trip north (generally downhill) the overall mpg was 39.8. About 17% of the trip was electric. On the trip south (generally uphill) overall mileage was 33.0, with 10 miles of 88 being electric. I don' think the temperature difference had much effect.
I have absolutely no concerns about speed, acceleration, braking and cornering.
I don't drive from North Platte to Denver anymore. Its hard to say how that would go. but for anything I need to do the Hybrid is more than sufficient.
For those unfamiliar with the turnpike it runs between Princeton, WV and Charleston, WV. All four lane divided highway with frequent and unexpected lane closures. Elevation at Princeton is 2400 ft, Flat Top Mountain, the highest point on the road, is 20 miles from Princeton at 3700 feet, and Charleston is 600 feet.
The first half of the turnpike is long curving stretches, some with 5% grades, up and down connected by curves posted at 55 miles per hour. The general speed limit is 70, so the average speed is about 75. The section north of Beckley, WV is 22 miles of tight curves, with short ups and downs with a posted limit of 65. The average speed is about 70. The rest is generally flat with sweeping curves heading into Charleston.
I had read that the hybrid was not at fast as the non-hybrid at 0 to 60, and I was concerned that the hybrid wasn't capable of keeping up with traffic on the up/downs. Sometimes it is necessary to accelerate from 70 or 75 to 80 or 85 on an uphill and brake to 55 on a downhill to keep from getting run over by other traffic.
I went north to Charleston last week and south to Princeton this week. Temperature was 89 on the trip north and 44 on the trip south.
The hybrid worked far better than I could have imagined. Acceleration uphill was no problem. There was no hesitation in acceleration and the speed gain was immediate. I went from 65 to 85 on a 5% up grade just to see what happened. There was no problem. I've driven a 2013 Honda Pilot on the turnpike. The Hybrid was just as good.
The curve section with lots of braking was not a challenge. The brakes didn't grab at any speed. The curves were easy to handle.
I took pictures of the instrument panel that I will post if I ever figure out how to download them from the phone.
On the trip north (generally downhill) the overall mpg was 39.8. About 17% of the trip was electric. On the trip south (generally uphill) overall mileage was 33.0, with 10 miles of 88 being electric. I don' think the temperature difference had much effect.
I have absolutely no concerns about speed, acceleration, braking and cornering.
I don't drive from North Platte to Denver anymore. Its hard to say how that would go. but for anything I need to do the Hybrid is more than sufficient.
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