Compare Hybrid Cars: Hype Against History?
See it on streets, on television, on adoring public eyes, hybrid cars has got all the hype. On the other hand, we have a slew of already efficient vehicles, which has all the history -laid bare right before our very eyes. So what will it be: Hype or History?
Not so fast as to directly jump at the raging bandwagon, I decided to peek at each technology's strength and weaknesses (neverminding of course that if I compare hybrid cars, I should also take into account that most data I'll have now is likely to change by the next moon phase). What I did is take one representative from each technology, only the best representative.
Compare Hybrid Cars: Toyota Prius Against Volkswagen Jetta GL
My pick is the Toyota Prius, simply because it is touted as the "exemplar model" for hybrids, and the most popular that right now, demand exceeds supply by several months' margin. And another reason is that the Toyota Prius is the Hollywood poster child, an A-Lister, the only hybrid car that rides high in the wave of hype.
On the other hand, the Volkswagen Jetta GL is my best pick for a diesel gobbler. Because we all know that diesel has a profound history of efficiency, thanks to its superb compression ratios and the higher volatility ratings of the fuel. Although those at the rear end of the vehicles will doubt at the asset's green standing, today's diesels are engineered to burn cleaner (though not less pungent) without compromising mileage. Against the current crop of diesel vehicles, the Volkswagen Jetta is top tiered. It handles well and smooth, has a monster powertrain, and handles well its fuel consumption, city and highway.
Compare Hybrid Cars: The Stats
The Prius has a cruising speed of 40 mph on electric power alone, but as you floor it, the gasoline engine kicks in and it runs handsomely at 76.8 mph against the Volkswagen Jetta, which is at 75.7 mph, assuming the road is straight. Against the Prius, the Volkswagen Jetta has the advantage of handling and raw power, bites torque really well, and best suited to running highway stretches and coastal roads.
To compare hybrid cars, acceleration, steepness of grade, and towing capabilities is not their forte. But in terms of fuel economy, no other vehicle can compare hybrid cars. Even with the faulty statistics provided by the EPA, the Toyota Prius still handles well its miles per gallon consumption, making it the best suited vehicle for stop and go traffic.
Bottom Line
With the Volkswagen Jetta and incidentally most diesel vehicles, what you get is impressive mileage per fuel gallon, impressive technical power, and all the hard specs. But with the Prius, you get fuel economy, the really, really funky look, and the talk of the town.
