I'm Sold On Hybrids!

[AzScorpion]

My folks have a 2017 hybrid Camry that has been bullet proof. I’ve read that Toyota’s hybrid are their most reliable vehicles. The eCVT transmission in the Camry is also supposed to be very reliable. The eCVT behavior is fine for everyday driving, but if the engine is under strain, such as in the mountains or have to get on the gas for any reason, they can be quite loud. All considered though, it’s a great vehicle if you’re looking for a sedan.

The whole Camry line is now hybrid with no option for just gas. One thing that was hard to get use to was starting it up. I'm glad I read up on them and watched several videos before renting it because there's no noise like an ICE vehicle. You press the brake and push the start button and look at the dash for the Ready sign, zero sound! I haven't had a chance to take it up in the mountains but around town and on the highway it shift so smoothly you can't even feel it.

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[RedlandRanger]

The whole Camry line is now hybrid with no option for just gas. One thing that was hard to get use to was starting it up. I'm glad I read up on them and watched several videos before renting it because there's no noise like an ICE vehicle. You press the brake and push the start button and look at the dash for the Ready sign, zero sound! I haven't had a chance to take it up in the mountains but around town and on the highway it shift so smoothly you can't even feel it.

CVTs don't really shift. It is kind of like an advanced version of the centrifugal clutch that was on go karts really. We've had our C-Max for 8 years now - it has been the most reliable vehicle we've ever owned and we are getting about 40 MPG with it. Funny thing is it was built in the same factory my Ranger was built in!

It does take some getting used to when starting it up. You hear NOTHING - until it determines it needs the engine turned on. It was so weird when we first got it - it took me quite a while to become accustomed to it.

I really wish they would offer a hybrid Ranger (plugin hybrid would be best). Maybe some day.....

 

[Rinn69]

So I rented a 2025 Toyota Camry (which are all hybrid now) for our most recent trip. I’ve always loved the Camry and have been thinking about buying one for a while and wanted to see if I’d like it and honestly I’ve never driven a hybrid before. Our trip is 1,280 miles each way and a lot of stop and go small city driving now that we’re here. I last filled up back on August 28th just outside of Benson, AZ (about 60 miles from our destination) and have been driving on the same tankful since. We’re going on just under 3 weeks now and have driven 1,520 miles so far and I’ve used $65.00 in gas (the tank is only 13 gallons ) for the whole trip and still have 1/2 a tank left. The picture below was just before my last fill up averaging just under 56 mpg and after driving around town the last 2 1/2 weeks I’m still averaging 53.5 mpg.

How much have you spent on charging it ?

 

[Chris M]

How much have you spent on charging it ?

I would imagine none, since he's renting it and hasn't said it was a phev hybrid.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

What he said.. hybrid engines are for electric power generation only until the last few years. Some makes and models started using electric assisted transmissions which provide engine drive and power generation to the batteries. So most hybrids will not move under engine power only. Which really sucks when you have to figure out the first and worst time. It’s a toss up between limp capability vs economy.. idk..

How much have you spent on charging it ?

The Camry hybrid is not a plug in so he’s spent $0 charging it. With our Escape PHEV we charge on 110v at home so it’s costing us between $.04 to $.05 cents a mile to drive it. We also use places that have free charging. We’ve never paid at a charging station. Compared to our Ranger that costs us about $.16 cents per mile with gas at $3.00 gallon. Driving the Escape on gas only costs us about $.08 cents per mile.

 

[AzScorpion]

How much have you spent on charging it ?

$0, That's what's so nice about it!

I'm. getting great mileage and it's costing very little to drive it. Makes this cheap frugal Polack happy.

 

[fob63]

I bought a new KIA Sportage X-line PHEV hybrid for my wife this year. It also only has a 13-gallon tank.
It's turbo and uses the Electric motor depending on modes. It averages 34-35 combined.
Never thought I would own a KIA though. she loves it.

 

[SigOris]

I have a problem sitting “down “ into a car and getting out. I do fine with the Ranger and the Maverick is between the two so no issues there. The hybrid Maverick gets great mileage and is comfortable. Toyota mileage is better so that should satisfy the Polish part .

I was going to revoke @AzScorpion Polish Card since he doesn't like kielbasa, sacrilege, but he's grown on me

 

[AzScorpion]

I bought a new KIA Sportage X-line PHEV hybrid for my wife this year. It also only has a 13-gallon tank.
It's turbo and uses the Electric motor depending on modes. It averages 34-35 combined.
Never thought I would own a KIA though. she loves it.

I was going to look at the Kia and Hyundai hybrids but I'm so impressed with the Camry I doubt I will. I've heard the Kia's have come a long way in the past few years and are really nice vehicles. Which makes sense seeing as Hyundai owns a large portion of Kia and their vehicles seem to be pretty nice too. Personally I'd rather have a non turbo if we get a car and really like the drivetrain on the Toyota.

I haven't filled up since August 28th and here's my reading this morning. I've never owned a vehicle that got good gas mileage so this is pretty impressive for me doing a lot of short trips around town. Still not sure how the average speed is only 32 mph seeing as we've done a good amount of highway driving too but I'll take it. lol

 

[jflogerzi]

We love our Escape PHEV. Wish the Ranger version was available here.

I think we are going to get it soonish

 

[fob63]

The KIA does about 32-34 miles on a charge. Electricity cost $0.10 per KW.
It comes out to about $3.10 per charge. Most of the time she drives under that daily.
The downsides cost of EV2 charging station, winter mode uses more engine running for heating, hot summers can also use engine for A/C if in slow traffic and naturally the initial buying cost.
I can't understand the US market. Transition for Gasoline to EV needs to have a buffer and Hybrids are needed. Security of both worlds as we progress.
Ford Escape is a good vehicle but limited on rear cargo space. I think Explorer has a hybrid but high cost and 3 row seats that are not used that often.
Again, Honda, Toyota, Korean vehicles are cashing in.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

@jflogerzi - I wish that were the case but it sounds like Ford is going all-in on their "Model T Moment".

https://fordauthority.com/2025/03/ford-ranger-phev-wont-be-offered-in-america-report/

Despite the false start it seems they're still hell-bent on EV's. https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2025/get-ready-for-our-next-model-t-moment

 

[AzScorpion]

@jflogerzi - I wish that were the case but it sounds like Ford is going all-in on their "Model T Moment".

https://fordauthority.com/2025/03/ford-ranger-phev-wont-be-offered-in-america-report/

Despite the false start it seems they're still hell-bent on EV's. https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2025/get-ready-for-our-next-model-t-moment

They're shooting themselves in the foot again! First by getting rid of the sedan lineup (not everyone wants a crossover or SUV) then by going full EV. This almost makes my decision easier when the time comes to jump ship from a truck to a Camry and I've been driving Fords for a good part of 40+ years.

Not sure where they're getting their info from but it would seem many would love a PHEV Ranger. They seem like they're pushing people into the F150 and of course way more money!

This report comes to us from the Detroit Free Press, which states that the Ford Ranger PHEV won’t be sold in the U.S. “any time soon,” as The Blue Oval is planning on selling only pure ICE versions of the mid-size pickup in America for the foreseeable future – at least, unless consumer interest dictates otherwise. “But if we see there is demand for a Ranger, we would absolutely consider it,” said Sondra Phung, head of Ford Global Trucks. “At this point, we believe we have a very strong portfolio of hybrids in the U.S.”

 

[RedlandRanger]

They're shooting themselves in the foot again! First by getting rid of the sedan lineup (not everyone wants a crossover or SUV) then by going full EV. This almost makes my decision easier when the time comes to jump ship from a truck to a Camry and I've been driving Fords for a good part of 40+ years.

Not sure where they're getting their info from but it would seem many would love a PHEV Ranger. They seem like they're pushing people into the F150 and of course way more money!

One report I read (which I'm pretty sure is the reason) said they didn't want to jeopardize F-150 sales - so the mid size loses out again. The F-series recently lost the title of best selling vehicle, although it is still the best selling truck. I'm pretty sure Ford doesn't want that to change - the F-150 is their cash cow.

While I've driven mostly Fords for over 40 years now (with a few others sprinkled in between) and they have treated me well, Fords recent decisions along with its ridiculous recalls have me considering other vehicles when it comes time to buy a new one. My daughter is still driving a 22 year old Honda Accord with almost 200k on it. It still drives like new. The only issue it has had in its entire lifetime is the A/C. Otherwise, it has just been normal maintenance. She said she is going to drive it until it drops....

 

[Texasota]

We love our Escape PHEV. Wish the Ranger version was available here.

We are having the same experience with our Escape PHEV. Love it. Before that we had a 2015 Fusion hybrid and it was the most reliable trouble free car I ever owned.

Some speculation in this article that we might see the Ranger hybrid (PHEV I assume) show up with the 2028 model year refresh.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/09/ford-ranger-refresh-not-expected-until-2027/

I think the Ranger PHEV is coming. The Bronco will be getting a hybrid drive train to compete with Jeep and the Ranger will likely get the same system and roll down the MAP assembly lines at the same time. Just a matter of time (I hope).

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