The Best and Worst Hybrids According to Pros with Hybrid Automotive Technology Training
The number of options that the Canadian consumer has when it comes to greener and more efficient vehicles has skyrocketed in recent years. The hybrid market, as distinct from true EVs (electric vehicles) that operate solely on electricity, offer their owners mobility and versatility via either a “gas first” option (featuring a gas-powered electric battery), or an “electric first” format (with a plug-in electric engine backed up by a supplementary gas engine).
The field of hybrid options is both deep and diverse, having expanded beyond the popular Toyota Prius trailblazer. Now there are plenty of truly amazing hybrids out there, as well as a few models that aren’t quite up to par. Here’s a closer look at some of the best, as well as some models pros with hybrid automotive technology training know to steer clear of.
Honda’s Accord Hybrid Impresses Those with Hybrid Automotive Technology Training
It’s undeniable that one of the most concrete reasons that Canadian consumers opt for a hybrid is for the long-term savings on gas that they offer. The latest Honda Accord Hybrid performs exceptionally well in this regard, delivering fuel economy to the tune of 20.8 Km/L for city driving. This puts the Accord Hybrid at the top of the pack when it comes to fuel economy for those hybrids that operate without plug-in charging.
Complete with a spacious interior, strong general driving performance, and Honda’s trademark technical reliability, the Accord Hybrid is a top favourite among industry professionals.
Kia’s Optima Hybrid Puts in a Quality Plug-in Performance
Offering a spacious and comfortable ride, the Kia Optima Hybrid delivers the kind of disappointment-free plug-in performance that pros with hybrid automotive technology training know are growing in popularity. Offering 46 km of pure, unadulterated electric drive time, it’s more than sufficient for shopping excursions and short commutes. The vehicle’s excellent fuel consumption on the highway (19.5 Km/L) only furthers its case.
The Ford C-Max Hybrid Hasn’t Built a Good Rep Among Grads of Automotive Certification Courses
A larger vehicle that slips more into the wagon class, Ford’s C-Max Hybrid is a solid car that has nonetheless not been able to make an impact among hybrid buyers. Part of the issue is that it offers fuel economy that just can’t quite match its closest competitors. In addition, compared to the Prius, the C-Max just misses out in terms of spaciousness and capacity. Mechanics who have completed automotive certification courses may have also heard about the vehicle’s reliability, or lack thereof, which is a persistent issue for the 2017 model. With poor sales in North America, the C-Max will need to come a long way if it is going to hang on in the hybrid market.
Lexus LS600h Hybrid: Pros with Automotive Technology Training Knows It’s a Dirty Vehicle
There’s no doubt that may drivers are attracted to hybrid vehicles because they can offer excellent road performance while generally working as a far more efficient and greener vehicle. Unfortunately, Lexus’s offerings in the hybrid field haven’t amassed much of a reputation.
In 2010, the British Columbia Automobile Association placed the Lexus LS600h dead last in hybrid performance, since it released a choking 4,554 kilograms of carbon into the atmosphere per year. While more recent models promise better fuel economy, professionals familiar with hybrid technology know that earlier Lexus hybrid models leave much to be desired.
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