I currently have a 2017 Ford Fiesta with about 36,700 mi/59,000 km and was looking to move to a hybrid vehicle, preferably the Prius, whether it's standard or plug-in/prime. Most of my driving is about 20 mi to and from work with some other trips here and there throughout the year. With under 5,000 mi annually, would this pose any issues to the car or battery’s health? I’ve been trying to do some research, but I could only find people talking about not saving as much money with how little driving there would be. Thank you so much in advance.
A valid question I think. But you managed to make a ’17 Fiesta (with DCT no less!) last ~7-8 years (must not have been a lot of true stop-and-go traffic which killed my youngest daughter’s ’14 Focus with DCT) at ~5k miles/yr. Recently went through a similar mental/actual exercise. Can’t speak to actual economics (almost any new vehicle purchase is hard to justify on purely economic grounds), but if you’re a home dweller (vs. an apt./condo), a PHEV is sweet to think about, especially being 20 mi to/from commutes. I helped my oldest daughter with a ’26 Prius HEV purchase. Somewhat similar commute scenario. Cross-shopped HEV’s (Prius, Hyundai Elantra) and PHEV’s (Ford Escape – a PHEV Prius was out of self-imposed price range). Big negative for me was the Elantra powertrain – DI-only engine and DCT. It (Elantra Hybrid) was cheaper by far but there’s a reason for everything and dropped it from consideration (I am biased against the idea of a DI-only engine and DCT being used for predominantly short trips over a long period of time, just don’t think that’s a good combination). The '26 Prius (and '25 Escape PHEV) has a combo DI and port fuel injection engine, a solid eCVT transmission, a good powertrain in my view for commuting Really loved the idea of the Escape PHEV (~37 mi. EV range!), but killer was her being an apt. dweller, and lack of Level 1 (120v 15A) charging at her work location. So the PHEV advantage wasn’t something she could readily take advantage of. So landed on a plain old Prius HEV. Doubles the mpg of her current ride. You live in Florida so that’s a plus (not a cold climate). My thinking is – even at only ~5k miles/yr you would be fine. Do try and make the occasional longish trip, get that engine up to normal operating temp. for an extended period of time, let those ponies run. Periodically keep it on a 12v. battery maintainer. Change your engine oil more frequently that the ‘normal’ ~5k oil change interval. Use Top Tier fuel. You should be fine. I’ll let others comment on the Prius HV battery/home charging in a low miles/yr use scenario, I’m just learning about the Prius in general, first hybrid I’ve ever driven, I’m still learning. edit: I got ahead of myself - the '25 Escape PHEV with 2.5L Atkinson cycle engine is multi-port fuel injection only - not DI and PFI - but that's fine, not turbo-charged. edit#2 - I owned a 2016 Fiesta, loved it. Only put 8k miles on it over a 1 yr. period (long story). Bought it new dirt cheap, full well knowing about Ford's DCT issues - but - I knew my driving regimen would be OK for it (no real stop-and-go, typically 15-30 mile runs at ave. 30-50 mph) so it worked out fine for me.
A 20 mile commute is fine from a battery and engine standpoint; my hybrids can get full engine temperature in 5 minutes. I am quite sure there is no economic justification for a hybrid at 5k a year. I once ran numbers on a Prius v driven 30k a year and it justified the extra cost in about 150k miles (5 years). Since the hybrid battery warranty expired at 150k, a new hv battery at 190k took a chunk of the savings back as did a brake booster. There is no doubt a hybrid is more complex and hybrid repairs are expensive. Even after 20 years of Toyota hybrids there are no signs mainstream independent shops want to work on those components and aftermarket parts remain non existent. The best strategy is to trade before the hybrid parts warranty of 8 years 100k miles (excluding battery) expires. On the positive side, hybrids provide smoother operation and better low end torque than their conventional equivalents like in the Rav4 line. But for the budget buyer with short commutes hoping for long vehicle life, a conventional vehicle is still the best value. For a used car buyer, hybrids really should be low mile and perhaps no older than 3 years considering used car loans are often four or five years.
Other than your Fiesta needing a major repair, there is no realistic scenario in which buying a $35k Prius is a money saving move. Yet, we buy cars for lots of reasons that aren't strictly financial. If you are tired of your car and just want something nicer to sit in, that's a rational reason to look at a new car. For the kind of commute you describe, a Prius has steering aids and adaptive cruise control that work well enough to let you zone out in a way that you never would in the Fiesta. The history on the drivetrain points to good durability and longevity. If you are prone to an autistic level of efficiency tracking, the Prius set up is made for you. You might get 70 to 80 mpg on your commute from the ordinary Prius (not Prime). For a fair bit less, an ordinary Corolla has a lot of the same driver aids, is less weird inside, is easier to get into and out of and might get you 50mpg on that same commute. Corollas and Priuses use a different kind of CVT. I'm not as much a fan of the Corolla's belt driven CVT as I am the Prius power split planetary gear set up, but I understand the Corolla system to be a good execution of the type.
Seems like a low cost EV (new or used) without a big battery and a bit less range would be a great fit for you.
Yes, your Ford has a well know DCT issues but if it's rebuilt properly with the recommended updates; it should out last that car's engine. I've done several of those on a flip. A shop should be able to do it for less than 2K; but I know people in the industry. Your looking at low $30K for a new car now, hardly a wise long term investment on a depreciating asset. At that low mileage, I'm wondering if a scooter or e-bike would be a better choice for close-in city runs and renting a car for longer trips. You get bonus exercise to keep you healthier too on an e-bike. You've got a better handle on your needs vs wants.... Good Luck.....
i think a prime would be great for you if you don't want to go full ev. most of your driving would be ev, with gas available for longer trips. one consideration is the 12 volt battery, you might have to keep it on a maintainer.
