I read an article last week, that the hybreds are not getting the advertised gas mileage. Buyers are hoping mad about it. All of the hybreds are getting 20 - 25% lower MPG, than what is advertised. Definately YMMV situation.
Folks in hilly regions will not get near the advertised hybred MPG. A.C. forget it. The article said that hybred MPG estimates were achived on indoor stationary tests, where wind resistance was not a factor. With the $25 -2800 extra for the hybreds, after five years owners would not save enough from fuel savings to make the investment pay off. One owner figured that he would save only $340.
Unless there is a hybred with at least 2-250 H.P. and is in the mid-size class (or larger), I will not be interested. I need a vehicle to be more than a glorified golf cart. A vehicle that would make pulling out into an interstate traffic stream less life threatening. Hybreds might be okay as a second car, used just for cross-town trips to work. But as my only vehicle, no way Jose. No enough H.P., size and styling. Not enough for a comfortable long cross-country trip.
After the 5.7L Hemi breaks in, I think that drivers may be able to achieve 28-30 MPG on long interstate trips. On my 300M, my MPG record was 32-33 MPG. And that was with the A.C. going.
