Hybrid CRV

[MaxMuggle]

Dear Honda,

Please build a hybrid compact SUV and have it in the dealer showrooms by the end of the year.

I prefer the 1st generation CRV body style, I just don't like the gas mileage.

If Toyota builds a hybrid RAV4 before you guys wake up :mad: , I'll buy that instead.

Thanks.

[Davecr-v]

Hybrids are pointless they don't make fiscal sense and are much worse for the environment than diesels now a Hydrogen CR-V that would be a nice change

[sleeksilver]

Diesel CR-V > Hybrid.


Go buy a Toyota if they come out with one. :rolleyes:

[jpod]

I know someone who owns a Prius. They like it and report it gets over 30 MPG. Don't know much about the current Honda hybrids.

Before I bought my 08 CRV I checked out the Highlander Hybrid. Overall its a good car. And it tows 2500lbs (same principle as diesel locomotive and some earth moving equipment). But it reportedly has real world gas mileage of about 26 MPH. Not bad but not worth an extra $6000.

A diesel hybrid CRV would be interesting. But Im not sure hybrid is presently the "killer app" for reduced operating costs. It seems to me if it were, simi-tractor trucks would be hybrid.

Im glad to see Honda working on fuel cells. If my 08 lasts as long as my 90 Civic, maybe my next CRV will be a fuel cell hybrid.

JPO

[sleeksilver]

The Highlander Hybrid and especially the RX400 Hybrid are not worth the cost over their normal gas powered version.

Mercedes Benz did a study on if it was worth bringing a hybrid SUV to the market and used the RX400 as a test subject. They concluded that it would take over 15 years for a normal driver to recuperate the initial cost of purchasing the hybrid over the regular model. If you drive less than the average American it might make even less sense to purchase a hybrid SUV.

[06whtcrv]

The Highlander Hybrid and especially the RX400 Hybrid are not worth the cost over their normal gas powered version.

Mercedes Benz did a study on if it was worth bringing a hybrid SUV to the market and used the RX400 as a test subject. They concluded that it would take over 15 years for a normal driver to recuperate the initial cost of purchasing the hybrid over the regular model. If you drive less than the average American it might make even less sense to purchase a hybrid SUV.
To some consumers it is worth the extra cost to drive a "greener" vehicle, they just don't make up enough of the market.

[davos]

If somebody wants a "greener" vehicle going as small as possible for your needs is probably the best choice. And going diesel close second. I believe that any turbo diesel on market will easily bit hybrid for most drivers. It is only city driving with stop and go where hybrid shines. In mixed and on highway it does not come even close. The only alternative I can see right now would be going electric - if Chevy ever decides to put Volt on market. I don't think we will see fuel cell cars on market any time soon - simply there is no infrastructure to support them. LPG on the other hand, especially with in-home fill-up stations, might be in near future.

[2RedV's]

LPG (liquid propane gas) would be really cool for people like me that have large LP tanks in their yard already. I wonder how the government would take to "home-filling" without you paying road use taxes... ;)

[muddy]

Have they re-figured the cost to recover the initial investment with the US tax credit and the soaring fuel costs that we're currently experiencing?

When I worked the numbers on a Ford Escape hybrid vs. the regular version, it only took 6 years to make up the difference based on $3/gal at 20k miles/yr, not considering the tax credit for hybrids. I imagine with the higher current fuel costs might make that even faster.

[davos]

LPG (liquid propane gas) would be really cool for people like me that have large LP tanks in their yard already. I wonder how the government would take to "home-filling" without you paying road use taxes... ;)

I have seen on Motorweek some time ago that they are already being used in California. basically there is filling station mounted to your garage door and connected to natural gas supply (same as used in water heaters). Because it's a low pressure setup it takes overnight to recharge (unlike commercial filling stations). From what I know it is fairly common i Europe to use LPG and NG to power cars, but it is usually done with aftermarket installation, unlike one I have seen (if memory serves me well it was Honda Civic and Honda sold quite a few of them). I don't think that G-men will get involved until it's wide spread though I have heard some rumors they are already looking at taxing hybrids because of lost gas tax revenue.

[Davecr-v]

To some consumers it is worth the extra cost to drive a "greener" vehicle, they just don't make up enough of the market.

Hybrid's aren't green at all, they have a larger production line with the inclusion of the battery also those battery need to eventually replaced which leads to more pollution in 2 ways the disposal of the battery and the production of the new one. Most Hybrids are gasoline powered and have higher c02 emissions than diesels as well as getting less MPG than diesels plus they aren't economically feasable for a Prius to make sense gas has to be around 9 bucks a gallon and for an escape hybrid the number is around $7 to the gallon. If you want a green car get a second hand diesel VW golf it will be really clean get better mpg than a prius and cheaper than dirt. Hybrids only kill the environment and your wallet Honda is a smart company developing long term solutions i.e. Hydrogen powered cars; hybrids are a fad people are realizing the fuel economy dosen't justify the price.

[Hughesy]

A diesel hybrid CRV would be interesting. But Im not sure hybrid is presently the "killer app" for reduced operating costs. It seems to me if it were, simi-tractor trucks would be hybrid.


I would absolutely love a diesel hybrid CR-V. I have two cars, one is a diesel CR-V, the other a hybrid Civic. So a hybrid diesel would be the best of both!

Ideally it would acheive a real world 50 UK mpg (42 US mpg).

Diesel hybrid is becoming common for buses and dust carts, because they accelerate and decelerate a lot. Trucks spend a lot of time cruising rather than stopping and starting, so hybrid wouldn't add much.