Hybrids Are Green, But They're Also Slow
If you're looking for a fast and powerful muscle car, it's unlikely that you'd ever consider a hybrid vehicle. Hybrids have a sterling reputation for being fuel-efficient, but they are also universally known for being quite sluggish when it comes to power, speed and overall performance.
At Dick Smith Ford Body Shop , we love hybrids because they are great for the planet, and when we see them in Columbia, SC we always smile. But, we also know that with hybrids, you will often sacrifice speed and end up driving a little more often in the old slow lane.
With many new top-tier luxury brands now manufacturing a wide range of high-performance hybrids, there are a lot more hybrid vehicles on the market that are leaving gas-powered vehicles in the dust. Still, the hybrid fleet is much slower overall than its gas-powered counterpart in almost every single class.
The Slow List of Hybrids for 2016
According to a blog featured on cheatsheet.com, out of the 10 slowest vehicles made last year, four were hybrids (Lexus CT 200h Premium, Toyota Prius C Two, Honda Insight EX, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV SE). While hybrids make up a considerable portion of the list, there are certainly slower gas-powered mainstream models currently on the auto market.
There are a plethora of hybrids available today, but predictably, the smaller, more reasonably priced options are amongst the slower vehicles on the road. So, yes--most hybrids aren't going to break speed records, but that also doesn’t necessarily mean that all mainstream hybrids should be thought of as slow or sluggish.
Our Speedy List of Faster Hybrids
For your faster hybrids, you have fewer choices but some viable options nonetheless. For example, the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid is rated for 2012 horsepower and can motor along from 0-60 in roughly 7.3 seconds.
That’s superior to many of the Accord’s mainstream, conventional counterparts.
There are a wide range of other examples that can be used to further prove this point (Ford Fusion Hybrid, Chevy Malibu Hybrid, Nissan Murano Hybrid) as well.
Although there are some distinct differences in the overall driving experience, the fuel-economy benefits that can be realized are worth it for most drivers, even if there are incremental decreases in power and accompanied by a higher price tag.
As hybrid cars continue to evolve, it’s fair to say that some of them are slower than traditional vehicles, especially the more affordable ones. With that said, as you navigate away from subcompact and compact hybrid vehicles, you’ll discover that there are a ton of options out there that deliver great acceleration and plenty of power to spare.
Sources: cheatsheet.com, Washington Post and Japolik
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