[Technology] Anyone got a hybrid car ?

[happypig]

Thinking of changing the car as part of retirement planning and I reckon we'd suit a hybrid; I work from home, the Mrs has a van at the mo but might have to commute to the office in future (about a mile so she can cycle if weather's ok). We do a few 50/100 mile trips a year and Devon a couple of times.
I don't want to go full electric (yet) so was looking at a Toyota Yaris.

Any "real world" experiences of hybrids in general and Yaris in particular ?

 

[carlzeiss]

Thinking of changing the car as part of retirement planning and I reckon we'd suit a hybrid; I work from home, the Mrs has a van at the mo but might have to commute to the office in future (about a mile so she can cycle if weather's ok). We do a few 50/100 mile trips a year and Devon a couple of times.
I don't want to go full electric (yet) so was looking at a Toyota Yaris.

Any "real world" experiences of hybrids in general and Yaris in particular ?

I have a 2016 Auris Hybrid and have driven the Yaris as a loan car .

The Yaris is OK , a bit slower and has a simpler rear suspension set up but will use less fuel around town .

Beware if you are buying from a Toyota dealer on their finance deals as you may well end up paying the same amount overall for a 6 month demonstrator as a new car with discounts .

 

[seagully]

I drive a plug in hybrid. Gets about 30-50 miles on pure electric before switching over to petrol. I absolutely love it, rarely use petrol except on long journeys and even then get about 60-70MPG depending on how heavy my right foot is.

Sadly they no longer make the car I own (Vauxhall Ampera) but I would highly recommend one

 

[carlzeiss]

I drive a plug in hybrid. Gets about 30-50 miles on pure electric before switching over to petrol. I absolutely love it, rarely use petrol except on long journeys and even then get about 60-70MPG depending on how heavy my right foot is.

Sadly they no longer make the car I own (Vauxhall Ampera) but I would highly recommend one

The Ampera was a car ahead of its time , I guess the high list price counted against it .

I also get 60-70mpg on a run depending on the volume of traffic and ambient temperature .

 

[seagully]

The Ampera was a car ahead of its time , I guess the high list price counted against it .

I also get 60-70mpg on a run depending on the volume of traffic and ambient temperature .

Yeah I think you are right. I got mine second hand for a really good price. Obviously there is risk attached due to them being discontinued but currently my nearest Vauxhall dealership still supports it for servicing etc. Nicest car I've ever driven.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

I have an Outlander PHEV - it's perfect for our family situation. I work at home and my wife works locally so we do lots of very short journeys, nearly all within the 20-25 electric range. Once we use it for a long journey its not so good as it is pretty uneconomical to drive on petrol (30mpg). Despite this, it costs a lot less to run than our old diesel estate. Driving on electriv is also really nice - instant, smooth power from standstill and super quiet.

We are looking at getting the new Golf GTE as a second car since it has the PHEV benefits but also is economical on the petrol when I do longer journeys.

You'll find that all plug-in hybrids have a 20-40 mile range on a charge so its best if you're doing short journeys (even better if you can charge at work after a commute).

I think we'll move to a pure electric car in 3-4 years as the next generation coming out looks like it'll have 300-400+ mile range.

 

[seagully]

I have an Outlander PHEV - it's perfect for our family situation. I work at home and my wife works locally so we do lots of very short journeys, nearly all within the 20-25 electric range. Once we use it for a long journey its not so good as it is pretty uneconomical to drive on petrol (30mpg). Despite this, it costs a lot less to run than our old diesel estate. Driving on electriv is also really nice - instant, smooth power from standstill and super quiet.

We are looking at getting the new Golf GTE as a second car since it has the PHEV benefits but also is economical on the petrol when I do longer journeys.

You'll find that all plug-in hybrids have a 20-40 mile range on a charge so its best if you're doing short journeys (even better if you can charge at work after a commute).

I think we'll move to a pure electric car in 3-4 years as the next generation coming out looks like it'll have 300-400+ mile range.

Very similar to my experience of PHEVs. I'm saving my pennies for a Tesla, might be able to afford one in the next century.

 

[carlzeiss]

Thinking of changing the car as part of retirement planning and I reckon we'd suit a hybrid; I work from home, the Mrs has a van at the mo but might have to commute to the office in future (about a mile so she can cycle if weather's ok). We do a few 50/100 mile trips a year and Devon a couple of times.
I don't want to go full electric (yet) so was looking at a Toyota Yaris.

Any "real world" experiences of hybrids in general and Yaris in particular ?

For winter driving heated seats are well worth specifying as it can take a while for the cab temp to rise to an acceptable level in a hybrid . For short trips using the seat heaters with climate control off will save fuel . Only downside of that with the Toyota auris range you need the higher spec models to get the heated seats but the higher the spec the larger the wheels . 17inch wheels will use approx 10% more fuel than 15 inch and tire costs will be almost double . Also if you do a lot of night driving the LED headlights in the top of the range most recent versions are a must .My 2104 Auris Excell had standard bulbs and was dangerous on anything other than straight roads .

Best site for advise is the Toyota owners club forums , you don't have to register :-

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/forum/59-toyota-forums/

 

[Frutos]

My partner has a Yaris and loves it, no problems at all in the three years or so he's been driving it.

 

[Triggaaar]

What's the cost per mile (range) when driving on electric, charged at home?

 

[seagully]

What's the cost per mile (range) when driving on electric, charged at home?

Obviously depends on your tariff/supplier but for me it works out roughly £1 for a full charge which gives me 30-50 miles depending on weather conditions/driving style

 

[Triggaaar]

Obviously depends on your tariff/supplier but for me it works out roughly £1 for a full charge which gives me 30-50 miles depending on weather conditions/driving style

Thanks, so 2 or 3 pence/mile. Not bad.

Is the technology progressing much at the moment? Are the batteries getting much smaller/lighter, can the motors be improved much, are they getting cheaper to make?

 

[Deleted member 2719]

Hybrids just turn me off, aren't they just an upgrade on golf buggys and the full electric car is just a posh milk float?

I mean why do it

 

[seagully]

Thanks, so 2 or 3 pence/mile. Not bad.

Is the technology progressing much at the moment? Are the batteries getting much smaller/lighter, can the motors be improved much, are they getting cheaper to make?

Yes to all of those questions. I reckon in 5 years most new cars will be hybrid/electric. I bought my car for £10k with 60,000 miles on the clock. It has heated leather seats, DVD/HDD player, DAB radio, preheat function (which is AMAZING in Winter), reverse parking camera, parking sensors and is nice to drive/look at. For that price it was a no brainer for me

 

[happypig]

Hybrids just turn me off, aren't they just an upgrade on golf buggys and the full electric car is just a posh milk float?

I mean why do it

Here's a "posh milk float" out dragging a Lamborghini Aventador over a quarter mile. I don't remember the feller from Unigate mentioning that though...
[yt]_NnNEuxqoPo[/yt]

 

[albionfan37]

My dad drove to Portugal from Scotland in his auris had no troubles at all mid range specs cracking car all round

 

[PHCgull]

I have an Outlander PHEV - it's perfect for our family situation. I work at home and my wife works locally so we do lots of very short journeys, nearly all within the 20-25 electric range. Once we use it for a long journey its not so good as it is pretty uneconomical to drive on petrol (30mpg). Despite this, it costs a lot less to run than our old diesel estate. Driving on electriv is also really nice - instant, smooth power from standstill and super quiet.

We are looking at getting the new Golf GTE as a second car since it has the PHEV benefits but also is economical on the petrol when I do longer journeys.

You'll find that all plug-in hybrids have a 20-40 mile range on a charge so its best if you're doing short journeys (even better if you can charge at work after a commute).

I think we'll move to a pure electric car in 3-4 years as the next generation coming out looks like it'll have 300-400+ mile range.

what he said. outlander PHEV. perfect for 18 mile commute to brighton