Disadvantages of Owning a Hybrid Car

You always hear about the advantages of owning a hybrid car and how wonderful the new technology is. But do you ever hear about the disadvantages of owning a hybrid car? Like every vehicle, hybrids have their own set of flaws and you should know about them before purchasing your next vehicle.

Smaller Size Not for Families- When you go to purchase a vehicle, they are listed by class: compact, mid-size, sedan, etc. If you purchase a conventional sedan you can expect its hybrid counterpart to be slightly, if not significantly smaller in size. A family of four would have a tight squeeze in the Honda Civic Hybrid, where they would have an easy time in the regular Honda Civic. Hybrids are traditionally smaller because the smaller the car is, the more fuel-efficient it can be.

Smaller Size Can Be Dangerous- We all know that when a compact car meets any larger vehicle, the compact always loses. Hybrid cars are much smaller than their conventional counterparts and have a harder time achieving high marks on crash tests for safety ratings.

Speed- Most hybrid vehicles do have the ability to accelerate as fast as or faster than conventional cars. But a great deal of hybrid cars do not have the ability to accelerate at the same speeds we are used to. Additionally, the smaller size of the hybrid engine makes it nearly impossible for a hybrid to attain the same speeds as a regular car, although most of us would never attempt to drive at 130 miles per hour anyway.

Air-conditioning Affects Gas Mileage- In hybrids, air-conditioning has the potential to put a great deal of stress on the much smaller and lighter engine. This can have a devastating effect on the fuel-efficiency and gas mileage of the vehicle.

Reliability- The newest hybrids have not yet met the end of their warranty period so we as consumers are unaware of their reliability after the expiration of the warranty. Who would want to buy a used hybrid only to have the battery pack fail two months later? Hybrid owners are well aware of the risks with a failing battery pack outside of warranty. $4,000 aware.

Maintenance- While regular maintenance on a hybrid is the same as a conventional vehicle, any work on the battery pack, the computer, or the electric motors will be costly and time-consuming, or even impossible. Before buying a hybrid you should check to make sure that there is a mechanic in your area who is qualified to work on hybrids in emergency and major maintenance situations. If you are unable to find a mechanic in your area, make sure your dealer can accommodate repairs or reconsider purchasing a hybrid.

Remember, a hybrid is a car and every car has its flaws. It is up to you to make sure that you are comfortable with the risks you are assuming with any major vehicle purchase you make. Be sure to also check out the advantages of owning a hybrid car.