As the push for clean energy grows stronger, more consumers are switching to hybrid vehicles than ever before. In 2021, over 70,000 hybrid vehicles were sold in Australia, and that number is expected to continue rising in the coming years!
If you’re shopping around for a new vehicle, you may be considering purchasing a hybrid for yourself. If so, we can tell you everything you need to know. Let’s talk about some of the key reasons to buy a hybrid car today!
1. Saving Money on Fuel
One of the most obvious benefits of hybrid cars is their fuel efficiency, which can save you a small fortune at the pump. That’s especially true today!
With record-high fuel prices averaging $1.991 per litre in Australia, saving money on fuel is likely better than the price of the car itself. Fortunately, hybrid cars aren’t much more expensive than regular cars, as hybrid technology has become much more widely available in recent years. For that reason, you’re saving money overall when you buy a hybrid.
Hybrids are the most petrol-efficient vehicles on the market, with the average vehicle falling between 48 and 60 mpg or 20.4 to 25.5 km/l. Even if you currently have a fairly fuel-efficient vehicle, this can still translate into substantial savings.
2. Environmental Protection
It’s no secret that we all need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and switching to hybrid vehicles is one of the easiest ways to do this. Not only will you save money on fuel, but you’ll create a healthier environment for all of us to live in. Less petrol means healthier communities in your area and a safer planet.
As we speak, passenger vehicles and buses contribute more than 45% of all transportation emissions. We can all do our part to improve these figures, and purchasing the right vehicle is a great place to start.
3. Better Parking
If you have a plug-in hybrid, you can park at EV charging stations anywhere, which tend to have premier parking at events, businesses, and other parking areas. You’ll also be able to charge your vehicle while you’re eating out, attending an event, or whatever you want. This means you’ll spend less time at the gas pump and more time on the road!
While this may sound like a stretch, how many times have you pulled into a packed parking garage and been frustrated by all of the open EV spaces where you couldn’t park? Well, you can with a plug-in hybrid!
4. No Sacrifices
When you purchase an EV, it comes with some sacrifices. There simply isn’t the infrastructure available to EV owners in rural areas to charge their equipment, their ranges tend to be shorter, and they rely entirely on batteries, which can malfunction. Conversely, you would think hybrid cars would come with some pros and cons.
However, with a hybrid vehicle, you won’t have to make any of these sacrifices. You can still get fuel at your local fuel station, go on long drives without running out of fuel, and you won’t have to find a specialized mechanic when you need car repairs. For some hybrid cars, you may have to charge your vehicle overnight at home, but this isn’t a problem once you have the infrastructure.
Overall, driving a hybrid car is exactly the same as driving a regular car. You’ll still have an internal combustion engine that runs on petrol, but you’ll save money and fuel in the process.
Also, you can still choose whatever type of car you want. With so many technological upgrades in recent years, you can choose between a hybrid sedan, SUV, van, or truck!
There are options for every type of driver, so you won’t have to make any sacrifices. You can even find financing options for any sized hybrid vehicle, even if you have bad credit!
5. Versatility
With a hybrid vehicle, you have options to choose from. If you’re stranded without fuel, all you’ll need is gasoline to get your vehicle running. You won’t need a tow truck or someone to charge your battery for half an hour just to get you to the nearest charging station.
6. Additional Warranties
On average, hybrid vehicles come with more warranties, since customers are more skeptical about newer technologies. The battery is the primary reason for the added warranties, so you can rest assured that if there’s an issue after purchasing the vehicle, you can get it fixed or return it. This way, you won’t have to worry about being left with a car payment and needing a new car.
Best Hybrid Cars to Choose From
Many car manufacturers have entered the hybrid car market by popular demand and pressure from governments for cleaner technology. That gives us a lot of options to choose from, so if you don’t see the car you want on this list, don’t worry! That doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with it.
All we’re going to do is give our recommendations for each style of car. These are all vehicles that have won awards for safety, performance, reliability, or some other important factor. Here are some great options to choose from for sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks!
Best Sedan: Toyota Prius
Unsurprisingly, the most famous hybrid of them all tops our list of sedans. The Toyota Prius has been around since 1997 but didn’t become popular until around 2004. This has given Toyota plenty of time to perfect this vehicle, much more than any of its hybrid competitors.
If you need a car for your regular commute to work and not much else, then this is perfect for you. For larger families or someone who needs more space, the Prius may come up short.
However, newer models of the Prius have achieved up to 34 km/l, which is a staggering number far ahead of any of its competitors. If you want a hybrid to save money on gas or lower your emissions, then nothing beats the Prius.
It doesn’t stop there. Toyota is known for making the most reliable and long-lasting vehicles on the market, and the Prius is a shining example. Many older models are still being resold with 200,000 to 300,000 miles on them, still in excellent condition!
For a similar model with a similar feel, aesthetic, and performance, we’d also recommend the Honda Insight, which you can purchase new for as little as $25,700. There are plenty of other great hybrid sedans on the market, so just do your research before buying!
Best SUV: Toyota RAV4
For an SUV, the RAV4 hybrid models get up to 17.5 km/l with 219 horsepower and a decent towing capacity for its size. If you have a small family, participate in outdoor sports, or if you’ll be driving out of the city often, then this is an excellent option.
The RAV4 has plenty of cargo space, the same Toyota dependability as the Prius, and it comes for a reasonable price of under $30,000 when purchased new. That’s still on the lower end of its competitors, which is surprising considering the performance.
For an alternative, we’d recommend the new Volvo XC60 plug-in hybrids. However, you will need to purchase the charging equipment for your home if you choose a plug-in model.
Best Truck: Ford F-150
Ford stopped making sedans because so much of its profits came from trucks, and they made a wise business move to get ahead of the curve and invest in EVs. Well, they’re also making a name for themselves in hybrid vehicles, especially the 2021 and 2022 F-150s.
For such a large truck with a V6 engine, you can still get around 11 km/l, which is unheard of for a truck of this size. That all comes with an impressive towing capacity, good warranty deals, and an MRSP of under $40,000. Even if you have bad credit, you can still get a loan for up to $35,000, so don’t count yourself out if you need a new truck!
If you’re not interested in the Ford F-150, more pickup trucks are using hybrid technology than ever. Alternatively, we would suggest the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, or the Hyundai Santa Cruz if you’re in the market for a hybrid pickup truck!
Buy a Hybrid Car Today
Now that you know why they’re so popular, go out and buy a hybrid car that meets your needs today. There’s something for everyone in the hybrid car market, so find the one that’s right for you!
Stay up to date with our latest automotive news and feel free to contact us if you need help with financing your new hybrid vehicle!
