Comments on Hybrid Cars: Vue hybrid beats Prius to hybrid payback - CR

to a large extent, I agree with you, but i have wa...

2008-09-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

to a large extent, I agree with you, but i have warmed a bit to mild hybrid technology. for instance, according to CR, the mild vue hybrd achieves an extra 6 mpg over the standard vue. for an suv, that's a pretty big and worthy improvement.

plus, gm is planning to convert its BAS technology into a lithium powered BAS technology that might also use advanced, more fuel efficient, turbo charged engines.

this approach is expected to increase fuel economy by at least 20 to 30 percent, according to GM.

that could be a worthy effort.

granted, i would pay more for a full hybrid, but the average consumer, i believe, needs a cheaper buy in price. thus, if the BAS technology can get more consumers into a hybrid because of a lower pricing point, then i support it.

Indigo IncarnatesI've never considered the BAS veh...

2008-09-04T03:35:00.000-07:00

Indigo Incarnates

I've never considered the BAS vehicles to be real hybrids. I think the technology is helpful, buy calling VAS a hybrid is a lot like callling a penlight a lighthouse beacon.

The whole "payback" think never made much sense either. After all, are people looking for a "payback" when they spend a similar surcharge on built-in touchscreen navigation? Or are they looking for a "payback" when they opt for a Camry instead of a Yaris?

FULL STORYAccording to Consumer Reports the Saturn...

2008-09-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

FULL STORY

According to Consumer Reports the Saturn Vue hybrid offers the quickest payback of any hybrid when compared with similar non-hybrids. Still, first place depends on which Toyota non-hybrid you would compare the Toyota Prius - either the Corolla or the Camry. If compared to the Corolla, the Prius came in fifth. If compared to the Camry, the Prius is easily first. Similarly, Consumer Reports only tested the 4wd version of the Ford Escape hybrid.

Here's the list of the hybrid vehicles in order: Saturn Vue hybrid, Toyota Camry hybrid, Chevy Tahoe hybrid, Ford Escape hybrid, Toyota Prius, Chevy Malibu hybrid, Nissan Altima hybrid, Saturn Aura hybrid, Honda Civic hybrid, Toyota Highlander hybrid, Lexus RX400h hybrid and the Lexus 450h hybrid.

Now, I could come up with a number of questions about these findings but, they are what they are, so I'll leave it at that. Still, the results do seem to indicate that, minimally, all cars should be mild hybrid cars. With such results, why isn't GM selling 100,000 mild hybrids per year?