How many of you would buy a hybrid pilot if they made one?

[sblvro]

my 03 pilot is a keeper which means that I will not be looking for any new pilots in awhile. eversince the escalade hybrid has taken the slack of long drives(25mpg highway and 20mpg city) I'm happy. now time to go to the land rover dealership.

[edawg]

Originally Posted by kasrhp

I dont think Hybrids are the way to go. The v6 in the current Pilot is under-powered, so I couldn't imagine a hybrid engine being any better, so probably not. Plus, how are the battery systems looking after 5 years or longer? What's the cost for a new battery?

But, it would depend upon the premium charged for them as well as the engine performance.

I'd offer that the 3.5L v6 is a GREAT motor to carry the drag and weight of our 2007 FWD & 2006 AWD Pilots, but the 2009 redesign did add drag and weight that it's now a bit underpowered. Still, the newer Pilot's power to weight ratio is LOTS better than the Equinox V4 that's selling so well for GM.

Being one of the car-nut engineering types who also test drove several of the high MPG cars lately (Escape, Prius, VW TDI), I agree 100% hybrids are NOT the way to go. First, hybrids are politically "green" but are the worst of both worlds from an engineering standpoint and environmental standpoint. Why carry a fossil fuel engine around and have 2 drive trains in a vehicle that both lose energy and consume extra resources to build? The new Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are headed the right way along with the Honda Clarity hydrogen fuel cell in that they transfer energy to the wheels from the electrical system directly (not sure about the Leaf's system). True, the Volt does have some gasoline generator costs but at last, this generation of electrics will be able to compete on price and hopefully range and safety (notice the Leaf's VERY low sticker price). The Volt's price is, well, Government Motors at it's finest... Here's at least hoping the platform spreads to other vehicles to help them drop the price. GM screwed up by holding/canceling the Orlando hybrid IMO to preserve limited capital and protect their Traverse/Suburban/Tahoe sales.

Turbo-diesels are 2nd best in my book. The VW/Audi TDIs are awesome to drive! But Europe simply is not going to give up their leading consumer status on Diesel fuel. Each barrel of oil is broken out into diesel/gasoline/tar, etc. components. So think about it... every consumer in the US who consumes Diesel from the limited barrels of oil that come out of the ground is one who competes with the rest of the world for diesel.

[mhadden]

I don't much care for hybrid systems. The complexity of the systems makes them vulnerable to complecated glitches that us, as consumers, can't fix without the proper tools (which are usually electronic). If I wanted fuel efficiency, we would've bought a "sport" wagen (and I say sport because I don't consider them "station" wagens anymore). However, I would like to see diesel go more mainsteam here in the US. To be honest, if the Audi Q7 TDI wasn't so expensive, we would've likely went that route.

[BiplanePilot]

On my part, I would be hesitant as I do not know on how to maintain it as I have never owned any hybrid car before.

[samc]

It would be interesting but I wouldn't buy one. Just because I know the repair cost would be high for a hybrid engine. That and I heard typically you need to replace the battery at 100k miles (which costs well over $2000).

BUT I would buy a turbo diesel one considering the fuel rating.

[Johnjk]

I'd have to say that I would not do the hybrid. Turbo diesel would be a first choice if I switched from the conventional gas engine.

Gizmag has an interesting article today on a new hybrid that uses compressed air instead of electric motors. They claim it is cheaper to produce with the same increases in economy.

Air hybrid vehicles could halve fuel consumption

Interesting stuff. Wonder when it will hit mainstream?

[Scratch]

Hybrid feh, getting myself a Scion iQ to replace our xB which is our gas-saver. Bought the Pilot to haul things, bust snow drifts, and generally thump around.

Heck, how much would a hybrid pilot cost? compare that to a 96 civic dx hatchie (that hasn't been molested by a modder) and your end run cost savings are much greater.