Posted Tuesday, Jul 20, 2021
Ah the hybrid. The buzzword of the 21st century. It may come a surprise, but hybrid vehicles got their humble beginning more than 100 years ago. With a lifespan like that, finding used hybrid cars shouldn’t be that difficult, right? Wrong.
A brief history
Before we go into the reasons why owning a hybrid car is special, we need to understand why they are special in the first place.
In 1899, a little engine known as the System Lohner-Porsche Mixte - yes, that Porsche - was introduced to the world. The electric motor’s power supply came from a gasoline engine and drove the car's front wheels. Remember, a hybrid vehicle simply means two sources of power.
Three hundred of these vehicles were created to an approving customer base. However, in 1904, Ford introduced the automobile line that offered lower prices and quicker turnaround. Thus, halting the hybrid progress until the 1910s when production completely dissipated.
Fast-forwarding to the 1990s, throughout which interest in hybrid production rose and fell sporadically, a couple of all-electric cars were produced but it was short lived. However, in 1997, Japan came out with the Toyota Prius. From there the hybrid craze took flight.
The first US mass-produced hybrid vehicle was the 1999 Honda Insight, but it’s the 2000 Prius who gave the hybrid it’s fame. This vehicle’s Toyota Hybrid System was what future hybrids were patterned after.
Demand vs. Value
Aside from technical tweaks and competition, popularity of hybrids has ebbed and flowed among consumers. When gas prices soar, hybrids are more popular and when gas prices are lower the expense of owning a higher-priced hybrid often causes sales to shift.
In 2009, used hybrid car values were down more than 23% than in 2008, when gas prices were on average pushing the $4 mark. During that time there was a huge stock of hybrid vehicles and people did not want to pay the extra $3,000-plus over a non-hybrid vehicle.
During the decade of 2010, Tesla came on the automotive seen with their all-electric vehicle and quickly took the world by storm. Many other dealerships came out with versions of hybrid and electric vehicles throughout the years as more electric charging stations came into play.
The popularity of hybrid and electronic vehicles only grew as gas prices once again jumped. But with all the technologies manufacturers were putting out there, many customers were left to wonder what exactly they were getting for the money.
Many people looked at the gas mileage when determining how good a car will be for them. But it’s important to know what the acronyms mean as the type of engine determines how the vehicle operates.
Types of Hybrids
HEV – A non-plug-in vehicle that has an electric drive system and battery. The car uses gasoline, but the systems work together to improve fuel efficiency.
PHEV – A plug-in capable hybrid that uses energy from the battery or gasoline.
EV/AEV – All-electric vehicle that gets its energy and driving power from a battery that needs to be plugged in.
PEV – This is any type of vehicle that can be plugged-in – hybrid or all-electric.
There are many vehicles out there that offer hybrid variations, each have positives and negatives. What some lack in design others make up for in a smooth ride, while others offer a great mpg but have a lag in power.
Benefits of Owning a Second Hand Hybrid
Aside from the better gas mileage, and making fewer trips to the gas station, the hybrid is a game-changer in many ways.
Top 10 Used Hybrid Cars
According to cars.usnews.com, the top 10 best used hybrid cars under $15,000 today are:
As you can see Toyota is still a main player in the hybrid game. At City Wide Motors, you could own one for less than $10,000 by purchasing the number 5 contender above – the 2011 Toyota Prius!
This 5-cylendar beauty rocks Barcelona red metallic paint and is full of features you would expect in a luxury vehicle. Including:
This hybrid can run off three different drive modes – all accessible with just a push of a button! You’ve got EV which means Electric only, Economy which allows the engine to rapidly accelerate, and Power which gives a lively throttle moor oomph.
Customers love this car because of its seamless transition driving, it’s mid-size build with 4 doors, and the hatchback style with a smooth interior means lot of cargo space. And the gas mileage? Unbelievable. We’re talking 51 miles per gallon on the highway and 48 in the city!
Even without all the bells and whistles, the 2011 Prius has been awarded with plenty of good safety scores and was voted best hybrid car for the money and for families. In various studies it also received:
#1 in Fuel Economy and in Compact Cars
#2 in Used Hybrid Cars and Used Compact Car between $6,000-$10,000
#3 in Safety and Affordable Small Cars
#5 in Used Compact Hybrid Cars and in Used Small Cars under $10,000
#8 in Experts Rating
#9 in Consumer Rating
This is a car with looking at and won’t last long on our lot! Buying a good, used hybrid vehicle is difficult. The engines last longer and the gas prices usually make people want to stick with their fuel-efficient cars longer than they planned.
Which means you are in luck! The Prius on our lot will look great on you, so don’t wait! Call or stop by City Wide Motors today to take this excellent vehicle for a test drive.
Our inventory changes daily so be sure to check our website often for even more hybrid vehicles.