Are there any "well rounded" hybrids out there? (or coming?)

they used to make a hybrid tahoe

 

Used to drive a 2006 Audi A6 3.0 diesel Quattro as a company car and yeah they're quick, but the rev range of the diesel was way too narrow and you ended up changing gear all the time to get any performance out of it. By narrow I mean you have a band of about 1500 revs of power between about 2500 and 4000 revs before power falls off.

Also, it is no where near as economical as the Prius or any other diesel. I'd struggle to get 38 uk mpg out of it driving it really steady, whereas driving the Prius in the same way returns about 65 uk mpg.

Just because it's a diesel doesn't mean its economical. It'll just be 25% more economical than a similar sized petrol engine but with narrow rev bands.

 

Prius, PWR mode, step on it, wins 90% of startup race from red light, cruise control to get high fuel efficiency, still gets 55-59 mpg all city driving.

Legandary reliability, built in Japan, not Mexico.
Limo like leg rooms, enough trunk space to put 2 bikes.

I'm having the cake and eating it aready.

Edit: sorry about the fishing boat, sell it.

 

I think diesel has the same problem with hybrids when it comes to general perception. Hybrid is know for slow and no tow capacity. Most of these misconceptions are derived from the first hybrid, The Insight and the Prius. Diesel is known for its poor acceleration and stinky smell from the 70's and 80's. To this day, my parents will not even look at a diesel car. Most people will perceive the common misconception until they drive one. For years I would laugh at and talk shit about people who drive a Prius or any hybrids for that matter. That is until I decided to buy the most technologically advance car that I can afford. It turned out to be a freaking Prius. I drove one and immediately decided that I have to have one. Hybrids have been designed to not only save gas but also to haul nice person too, Just look at the Lexus's hybrids.
I know that diesel has came a long way since the 70's and the 80's when US auto makers tried their hands at diesel passenger cars. My old neighbor had a Olds Cutlass diesel. That thing always stink up the neighborhood. Mythbusters used to air Diesel Diaries. I'm sure they're nice cars but I wouldn't be caught dead in one. This will probably change when the wheels fall off my Prius and I have to buy another car. Until then, I don't care how bad nice person they are, if it gets 150mpg, 0-60 in 3 seconds, can tow 10,000 lbs. No diesel will ever interest me.

 

Troll Alert - or maybe even Diesel Troll Alert!

Just got a couple things to say to you;

NOx

Blocked Diesel Particle Filters

Diesel is only cheaper in certain parts of Europe due to tax adjustments. It is MORE expensive than petrol in the UK and the US.

Finally; Show me a diesel car that gets CO2 below 100g/km, BUT does 0-60 mph (100kmh) in 10 seconds AND can carry 5 adults including the driver and luggage. If you want to be really pedantic - show me a car that does the above WITH an automatic transmission.

 

You forgot adding:

No vibrations to the cabin...

No turbo stop timer required...

 

This is especially true nowadays. When the gas prices were rising, diesel was close to the same price as regular fuel. At that point, I heard an interview with a spokesperson for VW/Audi North America: who said their current plans for eco friendly cars was diesel. Now, though, regular petrol prices have dropped while diesel stays 20 cents higher then regular gas here.

I have relatives in Austria who have expressed an interest in my Prius purchase. My uncle bought a V6 Audi A6 TDI about 3 years ago. He says it gets an average of 30mpg. On my roads, I'm starting to average 57mpg with my prius.

For me, the Prius is the most practical car as it has the highest fuel efficiency and good cargo space. A lot of cars that are traditional sedans/SUVs converted to hybrids; they have their batteries taking up the whole back of the seat....trunk space can be comprimised and the back seats won't go down. While I was looking at hybrids, I also looked at the Ford Fusion....which is a traditional sedan and gets better mileage then all other sedans. I'm finding the Prius has adequate acceleration, but the Ford Fusion hybrid responds more like a V6. The lack of cargo space, though, was the deal breaker for me. So the Prius isn't as zippy...but it makes up for it with good internal space and the best mpg.

If you're looking for a hybrid with towing capacity, I'd also consider Ford to compare against the Toyota Highlander. The Ford Escape hybrid is supposed to get 31 mpg highway and 34 mpg city while towing.

 

Hmm not sure of the model (not my pocketbook range) but the Lexus LS? 600??? Doesn't it have like 550, HP?

 

Does your boat weigh under 3500 Lbs? Lexus RX AWD Hybrid has 295 HP and can tow 3500 pounds. (Mind you I think the Prius is too large and too powerful so I have no interest in the RX)

2010 Lexus RX350 / RX450h Hybrid - RX350 First, Hybrid Later - Car and Driver

 

Penalty box? I duno ... our Lexus hybrid SUV has as many goodies as the tdi. It only has 240 hp? Too bad, the 400h has 280 hp ... if that's important ... but 240 is ok. The tdi goes 150mph? Gee ... should I ship the 400h over seas so I can legally experience that? I mean what's the point ... other than risk taking ... some shloemoe cutting over into your lane and ending it all. It gets 33mpg? The Lexus is bigger, and gets 31mpg. Convert for higher diesel oil cost, and again, the 400h comes out ahead.

I notice they don't brag about the fuel economy while it's going 150. But yea, the Lexus hybrid is cleaner, easily pulls our 16' electric party boat, has high mileage, higher hp etc, but regulated to not go so fast as to kill people easier. And the 600h Lexus? Well it's even higher hp ... if that's important to people. Still, the tdi is a nice ride. What's it's cost.

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