Went out and test drove every hybrid car: here's my thoughts

Thanks for detailing your statement.

Yes, the HCH-II CVT will place the engine into the 6000+ rpm in an instant and that will make the car much noisier. Not a surprise at all and made even more noticeable by the fairly low db measurements it achieves when driven in its more efficient ranges.

However, on regular everyday driving... my "humbler and longer term" experiences bear different results which I can back up with noise measurement levels (at 40kh/h, 60km/h and at 100km/h) at different times of the year and even over identical summer LRR and Michelin X-ICE winter rubber alike. As usual, I do not wish to take away from either car but so far the results have proven to be very educational to say the least.

Also, I will respectfully not answer your 3 explanation points even though my technical knowledge and seat time experience of both platforms still does not allow me to agree with you.

Disclaimer: I never take any of my cars above 2500 rpm urban and extra-urban (the HCH-IIs are almost never taken above 1600 RPM, seriously). I installed a scangauge on all cars and I collect end of day trip data on a regular basis... so unfortunately or not, much of my regular experience does not include the reckless driving behavior that will induce engine noises matched only by the unthinkable fuel consumption rates that come with it.


Cheers;

MSantos

 

I like the reviews, Very good post. I do have some gripes though after reading through these posts. The Hondas do not have enough room for a family of 5, the Prius barely does unless they are in car seats, so for a family of 5, the best choices are the Camry, Altima, and Ford. So lumping them all together, sometimes doesn't go well. I can see if one were to use it as a daily personal driver with one, maybe 2 people tops.

I am waiting on the FFH to come into a dealer near me, I really want to compare it to the Camry I have, I like the Camry, far and above so much better than the Prius I had for my needs, if I were single, I may consider the '10 Prius if the front leg room is improved.
When people compare the Camry Hybrid, they always tend to make the mistake of comparing it to the 4 cyl model, but should be comparing it to the V6 since the power output is so very close to the V6, and the options on it are in the same league as the V6 model, so price wise, it to me doesn't have a premium.

Keep in mind when comparing these cars, the Prius is a mid size hatchback, the Civic a compact sedan, the Insight compact hatchback, and the Altima, Camry and Fusion are mid size sedans, all of these are different classes. If people want to compare them, compare them correctly. This helps is cost comparisons too. Good job on the review, I look forward now to test driving the Fusion more than ever.

 

The bad news is that eventually you will get a car and then we will miss all the unbiased evaluations. Thanks.

 

That is so true of all diesels unfortunately, too bad for that, otherwise there would be more of them on the road. Back in the '80s Nissan had a Diesel Sentra that got 60 MPG, very few of them were sold, too noisy, and slow. Did the TDI have a turbo on it?
I still think the perfect car is a small diesel powered generator mated to an electric drive system similar to a locomotive. Could easily get 150-200 MPG since the genset would only be needed to boost the battery charge, and would be good supplement to highway driving.

 

I have driven all the hybrids currently offered by Toyota in Australia. the best is the Prius, there are no others. It would take a big miracle to get me to buy another brand of car.

One day we'll get a Camry hybrid, one day...

Of course Lexus offer hybrid models but well out of my price range so I choose not to torment myself.

 

Thanks for the reviews. They pretty much match what the automags are saying. There is a black Ford Fusion that is always parked on my walk to work. It is a good looking car. I rented a Ford Edge and liked how it drove too. Clearly there is a reason that out of the big 3, Ford is doing the best.

Funny to see the HCH/Toyota defenders jump on you. Face it. Toyotas drive like boats. Hondas are more sporty. Ford has decided to go the more sporty route too.