Really? Why we need big hybrid SUVs?
Because Americans can't get over big is better?Some of the biggest hybrid fans out there are hybrid SUV fans. Yes, they feel guilty about the gas they are guzzling, but they love their SUVs, and many of those fans are extremely interested in GM's upcoming hybrid SUVs, the Yukon hybrid and the Tahoe hybrid.
For SUV fans, a hybrid SUV is like having your cake and eating it too.
Consequently, Peter Valdes-Dapena wrote yesterday that large hybrid SUVs are actually more important than hybrids, such as the Prius.
--> Finish: Really? Why we need big hybrid SUVs?
Labels: Ford Escape hybrid, hybrid suvs, saturn vue hybrid, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:11 AM
9 Comments:
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Some of the biggest hybrid fans out there are hybrid SUV fans. Yes, they feel guilty about the gas they are guzzling, but they love their SUVs, and many of those fans are extremely interested in GM's upcoming hybrid SUVs, the Yukon hybrid and the Tahoe hybrid.
For SUV fans, a hybrid SUV is like having your cake and eating it too.
Consequently, Peter Valdes-Dapena wrote yesterday, "Drawing a big circle around one number - say 35 miles per gallon - and saying "a vehicle isn't fuel efficient unless it gets 35 miles per gallon" is silly, simplistic and pointless. It's counterproductive because it keeps car companies focused on saving fuel where the savings are needed least. The best way to an get eye-popping miles-per-gallon number is by piling advanced hybrid technology into an already-efficient small car. It gets headlines, but it limits the real impact of the technology.
Car companies such as General Motors, which sells 70 percent of all large SUVs, and Chrysler are doing the right thing by putting their best fuel economy technology where it's actually going to do the most good: in vehicles that really need the help."
What?
Actually, Peter, when it comes to a new CAFE number, it's a matter of perspective. In order to end foreign oil dependency the nation's fleet of automobiles would need to achieve MORE THAN 35 miles per gallon. If we can't achieve at least 35 mpg in the next decade, then we will be significantly more dependent upon foreign oil.
Won't that be great!
So, why not try to put a line in the sand and challenge American automakers and consumers? Why not try to end foreign oil dependency? If not, why even have CAFE? Should we just trust automakers to do the right thing?
It's not fuel economy anyway, right, Peter, it's fuel saved?
Thus, should we all move from 45+ mpg Toyota Prius hybrid cars into 30+ mpg large hybrid SUVs because we're actually saving more fuel?
"Yeah," you can tell your friends, "I used to drive a Prius that achieved 54 mpg, but I traded it in for a 25 mpg Hummer hybrid - it saves more fuel per year!"
Now that sounds "silly, simplistic, and pointless".
Yes, hybrid SUVs are a good step forward for companies, such as GM, and I applaud those SUV drivers that convert from conventional SUVs to hybrid SUVs - even the largest SUVs. Still, if you don't really need a large SUV, convert to a Saturn Vue hybrid or Ford Escape hybrid - by 2020 these vehicles will easily achieve more than 35 mpg.
However, to claim that a big hybrid SUV is more important than a hybrid such as the Prius, is just plain nonsense. In 20 years we could all drive large hybrid SUVs - even achieving 35 mpg - and yet we'd be far more foreign oil dependent than we are today.
On the other hand, if we all drove vehicles as efficient as today's Prius - regardless of the size - we might end foreign oil dependency. That's "silly, simplistic, and pointless"?
Then call me silly.
Fool.
You can tout the Prius all you want.
The large vehicles are going to impact fuel economy the most. It's clear...its obvious.... Now that is not to say that the small cars arn't important but come on. A Tahoe that get 25 MPG compared to the Tahoe the gets 17 MPG is very important. Stop trying to diminish American auto maker success.
Yeah, I'm the fool. The single person driving the Tahoe certainly isn't a fool.
Obviously there is nothing wrong with supporting terrorism through our foreign oil dependency.
Maybe you should start a Let's Celebrate foreign oil dependency club for you and your brilliant gas-guzzling friends.
Is there any wonder the rest of the world hates America when people like you refuse to take any responsibility for your actions? If you don't see it, it doesn't count, right?
FACT - Every American could drive a 25 mpg Tahoe hybrid and in 20 years America would be significantly more dependent upon foreign oil.
God bless the Saudi Royal family!
Now that's smart. Hey, but we saved a bunch of fuel!
Why are you so proud of American automaker success, yet so blind to FOREIGN oil dependency. You pretend to be so American, but only at your convenience.
I am looking for a hybrid vehicle and would love to purchase a prius but we are a family of six. I think I am stuck with the highlander. Are there any options for us? I don't see any hybrid wagons yet.
Kimberly-
At this point in time, the Highlander hybrid is probably your best choice. I've not tried out the back seat, so that is something you are going to have to test out.
There has been a lot of talk about a Siena hybrid. In addition, there has been some speculation that Toyota might offer a larger Prius hybrid when it launches the third generation - still who knows when all of that will happen.
For a family of six hybrid options are limited - hopefully that will change in the next few years.
If the Highlander hybrid doesn't work out, I'd look into the most fuel efficient 6 person wagon or mini-van.
I think minivans are an excellent vehicle for a family of 6. Still, check out the Highlander hybrid. If you are looking to buy soon, Toyota is running specials on the Highlander hybrid through June.
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I am glad that some of the larger SUV's are starting to sport hybrid drives, as well as other fuel saving measures. I have a family of 6, so our options are VERY limited in terms of a family vehicle. Sadly, there just aren't that many vehicles on the market that seat 6, and VERY few of those that get even decent fuel economy. I currently drive an Expedition, and have been looking around for a reasonable alternative... there just aren't that many out there yet.
My wife and I have 4 children. With current child seat and booster seat laws in Canada we will have 4 car seats for years to come. I would gladly purchase a hybrid vehicle for a variety of reasons. However even the current 7-seater hybrids like the Yukon or Highlander fall short of what is needed -- use the seven seats and there is no room for strollers, or even groceries. When will we see a hybrid minivan. Alternatively, does anyone know anything about aftermarket "hybridization" of vehicles -- is this commercially feasible and is anyone trying it?
there has been talk about both a Chrysler hybrid minivan and a toyota hybrid minivan. the toyota hybrid minivan seems very plausible as a 2010 model, but probably not before, unfortunately.
aftermarket hybridization -some have played with the idea, but i'm not sure there are any real, cost-effective aftermarket solutions.
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