Hybrid Cars Are All The Rage Now: These Are The Best & Worst!

( www.alltfl.com/ ) Check out our new spot to find ALL our content, from news to videos and our podcasts! Welcome back to TFL Car Chat! In this episode, Roman and Tommy reflect on the best and worst hybrid cars that they have driven so far this year!
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#podcast #toyota #rav4

[@Evan_Land]

Thank you Tommy for helping explain that all CVTs are NOT all identical. You could do an entire video on the different versions of CVTs.

[@jamesbruce8749]

If it's a chain driven CVT it's usually better.

[@carlmchaney8632]

My cousin just traded her prius with over 300,000 miles, still going strong, for a corrolla SE hybrid... great cars... She never replaced the hybrid battery 🔋

[@Mr-pn2eh]

I have a venza hybrid, same power train as the rav4 hybrid I LOVE IT.

[@JC-yt1pm]

Love my Highlander hybrid. Driving in Denver traffic I was getting 36mpg.

[@zapfanzapfan]

Plug-in-hybrid would be nice. I can't charge at home but I would plug in for an hour when I'm shopping.

[@sixpounder15985]

One thing I’ll add for bmw plug in hybrids … Remote start can be done inside a closed space and optimum temperature can be reached without car engine being tuned on . they switched to heat pump ac so car is actually cold even when standing still . And HVAC doesn’t turn off or slow down when you are at stop light so essentially all the nonsense related with auto start/stop is negated that made me turn off auto start stop feature in my older car

[@mikegrantham7440]

We have a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and it has been great so far. It has an 8 speed automatic, but the electric motor will not go past 6th gear. Though it easily cruises at 70 to 75 mph. However, at 75 mph or more, the gas engine does kick on more especially going up hills or with a strong headwind. So it tends to cycle back and forth between gas and electric at 75+ mph. You complained about the price of the Grand Cherokee, but even the base 4xe is very well loaded with lots of creature comforts and cool features. My wife and I especially like the passenger screen as the passenger can pull up navigation, enter a destination, then send it to the center console while driving. As for fuel economy, we do a lot of highway driving since we live in Texas. We typically average between 600 to 700 miles to a tank of gas and have gone as far as 850 miles on a tank. But even when we have gone long distance without charging, the GC averages about 25-28 mpg hwy with the Hurricane 2.0L turbo. That is a good 4 to 6 mpg better than the 2013 Ford Edge we had with a V6 and was front wheel drive only. So As for the gas engine kicking when the battery is used up while driving at highway speeds, it seems to start the engine at about 3 or 4% battery left and warms up before switching over. Overall, we have been real happy with it and it is one of the best driving vehicles I have ever owned.

[@propertypreparedness6846]

Hybrids are best. Had one back in 2018. Ford fusion. Incredible commuter.

[@madlucio70]

I completely disagree on the typical comments about the Crosstrek Hybrid. It is better in use than it is on paper for sure. I have the 2023 Crosstrek Plug In Hybrid, which has a short full EV range, but with shallow charges at stops and full charges in the evening I can run EV only. I honestly almost never fire up the boxer engine when driving in the city and commonly rack up over 350 km's of pure EV without the boxer. I drive long distances in temps ranging from -35C to +35C, depending on the season, and my fuel economy is fantastic. I love Plug In Hybrids and hope that Subaru will make more of these from 2026 and beyond.I am currently sitting on 4.4 L / 100Km's at 3,436 Km's on the trip meter. This is a mix of my city (all EV) and highway (save mode and mostly petrol) over the last few weeks. I do agree that the price was too high for sure, but I am hoping that the prices will lower as the technology gets cheaper moving forward.

[@romeolongoria8730]

What country is this?

[@Redhawk24]

Love my rav4 hybrid. Get 42 mpg

[@ldmtag]

Not having to have a faster charger is not an advantage of having a small battery. Sure, it takes faster to fully charge one with a regular outlet, but it also won't drive the car far. You aren't charging percents, you're charging kilowatts, and how much it it what you've managed to charge over night is determined by your car's MPGe, not battery capacity (too small battery capacity can actually limit that amount)

[@KawaTony1964]

I have a Ford Maverick hybrid, and I don't notice any difference between my eCVT (planetary gearset CVT) and an ordinary automatic transmission. Of course, I was never expecting a especially fun driving experience from a small truck.

[@mdlinny]

Another entertaining and informative video. We have a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4 x E and it is the worst vehicle that we have ever owned. The transition from ev to hybrid when accelerating or deacceleration is embarrassing unsmooth. Slow speed off-road use is crap because it is impossible to smoothly moderate the throttle at velocity less than a few miles per hour. I'm surprised that y'all reviewers of these vehicles have failed to warn potential buyers of how horrible these $80K plug in hybrids are.

[@nateTrh]

The toyota hybrid trucks sandwhich the electric motor in between the engine and transmission while the unibody cars with the 2.0/2.5 NA motors have the traditional power split planetary which is more efficient and reliable. Could also be a reason why the bigger hybrid motors don't get as good mpg. Also, if you look at the electric motor output gauge in the dash, you only ever see electric power come on when accelerating from a stop and with full throttle. The normal hybrids always use the electric motor assist unless the battery pack charge is too low.

[@ebernier797]

I’m curious about comparing the efficiency between Prius and Prius prime if you always plug in the prime and drive both of them in hybrid mode.

[@eyesurgeon69]

I drove a Tesla model S for many years but ultimately landed on a Lexus ES 300 H, the price of electricity in California is so ridiculously high and also punitive meaning if you use a lot of electricity at home like have a pool or a larger house, it is actually cheaper to run a Toyota hybrid than an EV

[@timstrobel9220]

I love my c-max hybrid....peppy engine and i avg 41mpg with 135k miles on it

[@Romans_Toupee]

I've talked to several 4XE owners and they've all told me it's the most problematic vehicle they've ever owned and would not buy another one. Not to mention they are ridiculously overpriced. 70k or more for some 4 cylinder Jeep is funking bananas

[@santiagohills3997]

I’ve had a couple issues but knock on wood not power plant related: the front locker indicator switch stuck on, and the steering stabilizer needed replacing early. About to go out of warranty so fingers crossed 🤞:)

[@carlostavaresjr958]

GM should replicate the Volt drive-train in their whole line up.

[@christianglaude6659]

Hey Tommy, did you practice your french while you were in Montreal? Getting pretty good on that accent!

[@briancorreia2923]

You’re not just ask a cold engine to go from off to full power, you’re also asking the gasoline in your tank not to spoil if it sits unused for months on end. I think they pressurize the tank to reduce moisture.

[@DS-mz7dy]

Great episode! GM was so far ahead of all of these options with the Volt, even today. All the others are still trying to catch up but can't quite get there. Maybe GM should license the Voltec drivetrain to the rest of the manufacturers?

[@daweed980]

Looks like GM needs to play catch up with no hybrids in their lineup and horribly inefficient EVs

[@miraphycs7377]

The thing is when the Chevy Volt and such PHEV was still around, General Motors PHEV used to have the longest pure EV ranges and they were the best. Other players have caught up or even surpassed while General Motors slept on the technology. I remember Chevy Volt used to have 40-50mi pure EV range from 16-18kwh battery when comparable Toyota Prius Prime had less than half the pure EV range and very small battery. Now RAV4 Prime a much bigger SUV can achieve 40mi+ with 18kwh battery. Prius Prime can reach 44mi with smaller 13kwh battery Same with their luxury cars. Cadillac CT6 PHEV had 30mi or so pure EV range with 18kwh battery pack. Largest Lexus SUV TX can now achieve slightly higher pure EV range with the same battery pack size. And most of those Toyota PHEV products are technically built on the foundation of fourth-generation system, not the newest fifth generation system. And although Toyota PHEV is a bit of an unobtainium (for now anyway), it is nowhere near as unobtainium as Chevy Volt and its BMW 3er like price tag at one point. And at least in Toyota's case, those Primes are pretty sporty so the premium they are asking is justified Ford have also caught up to General Motors PHEV technology and although not as good as Toyota's PHEV at least their product is obtainable. Now, General Motors can do their homework and come swinging or release mediocre product that is not the level of the top dog anymore and is more similar to Ford, which used to be inferior. I am afraid with their track record it is the latter

[@romeolongoria8730]

I miss my corolla hybrid. I used to drive my 06 wrangler but I made SO MANY extra trips to the beach and family and paid less than $100 a month in gas

[@gqami]

How’d you skip over Hyundai Santa Fe calligraphy hybrid? I myself just bought one. I think this was a bit squirrel-ly of an episode. Like it but tighten it up. All over from Lambos, to Hyundai, to Ford. Great video.

[@Piotr12737]

Surprised you guys didn’t mention the Honda crv hybrid. Would like to hear your imput on it

[@0bzen22]

Same system as the Jazz and Civic.

[@andrewshenton6541]

Maybe my mistake the number is on the left that says mpg next to green curve when in electric

[@franzvanjulio5523]

Do you guys see a car for a Land Cruiser Prime? 4Runner Prime? I love them both but the mpg needs to be better. I may buy a next Gen RAV4 because of the Prime model.

[@carlostavaresjr958]

Hybrids were always the answer.

[@catherinejacobs4801]

How did Honda do a manual with a CVT?

[@myronerickson]

I liked chevrolet silverado with the e assist. It got 1 less mpg than just the 5.3 v8. It had something to do with California and being able to say it's a hybrid.

[@tritchie6272]

I'm not in a big hurry to get any hybrid. But of I do it all probably be a regular hybrid. You can keep the plug in hybrid.

[@lonerider5315]

The prius being the cheapest car to keep on the road for many many years. Meaning carrying around "2"power trains isnt so bad. And actually incorrect. Being the prius engine only takes 3.9 quarts. It's physical smaller making up for some of that "extra" weight😂 Speaking if weight. Prius are not any heavier then other cars of the size. Even accounting for one battery replacement over 10 years. Currently on my paper route in an 05 with a little over 300k. 2 cells ans hard ware have been replaced in the original battery.

[@conchobar]

Hybrids are compromise products at best. They lack the longevity and lower price of an ICE car and the low maintenance and day to day convenience of a BEV. All your BEV battery lifespan fears apply to the battery in a Hybrid.

[@johnoberle9750]

I think CVTs can be done right and be reliable. I’m not sold on the DCT though. I like a traditional automatic and standard transmission . I would probably go with CVT with some reservation. A DCT from what I know at this point no way!

[@0bzen22]

The core principles of a CVT are self-defeating. Terrible idea. Ok on a moped where it's easy to repair, but on a 2 ton, 200bhp car, that's crazy. If you want to get it as reliable as it can be, change oil often.

[@jamesbruce8749]

I believe most people are tired of gas/fuel prices. They are paying more and more to go less and less miles every year, and that has been happening for over 20 years. If you are going to have to own a vehicle to live and work, most people are just asking themselves how to save on the operating cost of what they buy now days. As the vehicles get more expensive people HAVE to find some money savings somewhere.

[@thoughtloop1737]

How did you skip the Ford Maverick Hybrid? Barely talked about it. It's one of the cheapest hybrids (if you can find one, or order & wait). I can get 46mpgs if I hypermile it and drive like an old man. If I drive normal city&60mphs mixed I get ~40mpgs. 38mpgs in the winter with winter tires. 35mps doing 90mph all day. The Maverick handles like a lifted VW golf, is insanely fun and zippy, plenty of power, small + tight + maneuverable.

[@TFLtalk]

Because you can’t get it as a 4x4

[@carlmchaney8632]

I wish toyota would keep the venza here... the Crown Signia is a stationwagon... I just bought a new Venza XLE and I got a great deal... It would be good if the Signia was a true SUV... Toyota should have added the rear facing trunk fold up jump seat in the Crown Signia so the kids can wave at the cars behind them like in the old stationwagons lol

[@trspotr]

Toyota is still investing on the next generation ICE. It's not like everyone is switching to EV all at once 😐

[@Woolathabeast89]

Me and my wife recently just picked up a 2021 ford escape hybrid AWD not the plug in. And i have to disagree the ford escape hybrid is a really good car. And i am not a ford guy my wife talked me into it. And I have to say i am pleastly surprised 200HP is plenty in that car and average 45 mpg . About a 500 mile range on a full tank and even with outrageous gas prices right now still less then 40 to fill up . When Ford comes out with the 2025 maverick hybrid AWD that is rumored that will be my next truck.

[@mattlimberg5763]

What you are forgetting, and I think this is why Toyota is doing all hybrid, it is fewer parts. No alternator and no starter because these are part of the hybrid system. There is no serpentine belt because the ac compressor and water pump is electric. And the inly added maintenance to a hybrid is additional cooling system and an air filter for the hybrid cooling system that you clean out like your dryer filter most of the time. And for the plug in hybrids, the engine isn't completely stone cold, the cooling system is a bit warmer that a cold start from using being heated with the electric drive system and I am guessing they put a heater in it to have it closer to ready.

[@Redhawk24]

Why does no one talk about this?

[@marcomartinez8949]

compare the new Landcruiser to the outgoing 4 runner because both will carry the same drive train 4 cyl turbo same as the tacoma.. not impressed i moved to a Lexus rx old v6 with hybrid 35mpg

[@freed14760]

Prius was originally in a Toyota Echo

[@johnoberle9750]

I bought a 2008 Toyota Highlander that had been mouse infested and parked during covid . $1000 straight nice body. The hybrid battery died. The hybrid system would not allow you to run the engine. You couldn’t start the car to recharge the battery. A hybrid beater is not a good thing. These cars have planned obsolescence built in. I say get a plug in Hybrid. For me get no hybrid. Get a fuel efficient car with a traditional drive train . These things in my opinion don’t age well. If you buy a new car every five years maybe they are ok. I bought ECO lawnmower and the battery died in that. The the battery was warranted by the dealer but the dealer had no way to dispose of the old batteries. Either do I. In our area anyway. All this electric push is no better than what we’ve had. Hand held power tools it’s great but what good is it if there’s no system to recycle the old batteries. You just throw them out in the garbage where I’m from. That’s a big turn off for me. You might as well burn fuel then. Closest Toyota dealer is 70 miles away. These companies don’t want you touching the car. Is bs the hybrid system locks out the engine. I’m old school I guess. Shame on you stelantis for not having a oil dipstick for your new hurricane engine. You can keep it. Research before you buy something. Lots of crazy things going on for drops of fuel that will cost you far more in the long run. I want something new affordable and simple. You can’t have that anymore. Maybe public transportation is the real answer for the future.

[@scottgabbard662]

I had a long reply. I deleted it. I appreciate your thoughts. I’m not sure buying a dead car helps make your case.

[@johnoberle9750]

@@scottgabbard662 I knew it had issues I got an education on Toyotas hybrid system. You can’t just drive it on the gas if the hybrid battery dies. So now I know . I’m not really ticked at the cheap risk I took on a vehicle. I would be on a 40k car that died that way. My perspective right or wrong. All this new technology is nice when it works.

[@scottgabbard662]

@@johnoberle9750 “All this new technology is nice if it works.” Indeed. I now live in neighborhood with oak trees. I cannot tell how many of neighbors who have left an ICE vehicle outside who have had to had said vehicles flatbeaded to a shop for major harness and loom work. I know of three instances just as I type. But I cede your point that all of it is amazingly complex. That stated, I bought my wife a new CR-V Sport because it has no belts, no transmission, no alternator and no starter. It does admittedly have some clutches and I couldn’t begin to guess how many CPU’s. She changes vehicles when I have to pry it from her or, unfortunately, when an uninsured fool almost kills us. She averages over 10+ years per vehicle and the Pilot had 294k miles when we trading it back in. Like you, I took a chance. I hope I’m right. She loves it and it has AWD and she’s getting 38mpg with 5K on the odometer. Best of luck on your venture.

[@ftwtech]

The newest Prius is slightly cheaper than the 2025 Camry

[@JohnDoe-ht5iw]

I thought the crown has been in Japan for ages? Since the 70s 80s

[@OldThomMerton]

50's I think.

[@kirkwagner461]

I think history will see this as being the blip in time in which Hybrids made sense. EV tech capabilities are increasing so fast, and prices are coming down, such that, in just a little bit, hybrids won't make sense. They will then be seen as combining the worst features of IC's and EVs, in one vehicle, with all the maintenance issues of both. IC's will then be the domain of edge cases and determined tech throwbacks, and EV's will be all the rest. I love my current IC (a WRX.) But when I bought it (new) I recognized that, when the time comes to replace, it an EV will likely be my next choice.

[@andrewshenton6541]

I have a 24 4xe and i dont come close to the 49mpge they say and i do mostly battery ,only fill half tank every 2 weeks plus,i barely saw 40mpg once

[@santiagohills3997]

MPGe is the equivalent amount of energy you use while in electric only mode. Not an average MPG. It is a metric only an engineer could love.

[@alvilla701]

Rav4 still one of the best (to me the best)

[@andrewshenton6541]

Regen braking in my 4xe is stupid

[@andrewshenton6541]

@@santiagohills3997 its not worth the effort,i gain 1% and its gone in a flash and going downhill slows down too much and i still dont gain anything to talk about,not worth the effort of pushing the button for me

[@smithjones1906]

I've been enjoying my PHEV Hornet so far. The electric mode works much better than the Wranglers I'm used to. I was doing 80mph on cruise on the highway up a hill yesterday in PA and the gas engine did not turn on. It will legitimately do 30+ miles. I am glad I leased though. Maybe by July 2026, there will be an SRT version that uses the 2.0T out of the Wrangler! (obviously they're not selling well enough to justify additional trims, but it is Stellantis, so...)

[@1FiftyOverland]

People really liked the Ford cMax.

[@atmartens]

It’s interesting seeing which brands think the future will go. The Japanese and German brands have been fairly conservative with going full electric.

[@jayhiggins5239]

Volt was a great car for my needs, except... that I absolutely DO need to seat my 3 kids in the back. Sorry for all you parents of only children.

Hybrid is as far as l would go, in my circumstances.

[@JR-pb5dz]

Good morning ☕️

[@blakespower]

yeah dont want a vehicle you have to plug in

[@briankeithwood]

the problem with plug in hybrids is that once you exceed their range, it's just dead weight. The 'normal' hybrid provides assistance the entire day, the whole trip, etc.

[@jayshahu]

Stay away from the dual clutch hybrids.

[@09roadraider40]

Prius prime is king

[@Gomeziman]

Strange choice to lead the video with a joke about unaffordable cars then give the German luxury brands 3x the time than you did Hyundai/Kia. My Sportage Hybrid is by far the best car I have ever driven and it is very affordable for the MPG and features

[@radanovics]

Toyota destroyed the Prius value proposition and utility capability

[@nlken7175]

I have owned an RAV4 hybrid for almost 3 yrs now. Hybrid is useless for highway driving/wintertime. It's fine for city driving. I won't buy another because I drive mostly on the highway/Interstate.

[@Redhawk24]

Disagree. Hybrid battery helps with getting on highway and power and I get 39 mpg in winter in Montana

[@brucesmith8486]

You need to learn how to drive.

[@USAWILL]

I disagree mostly with your comment. Had a Prius for 10+ years and sure it didn't get better mpg in the highway but even then i still got it up to 90 miles per hour for tons of miles and still getting 45+ mpg. From California to Phoenix for very little gas compared to a natural aspirated car. In the city it would be even better. 48-52 mpg.

[@1FiftyOverland]

🙋‍♂️ 🍞

[@danielstevens3372]

These higher pressure turbo engines have a lot shorter lifespan than the traditional older v8 engines.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

Interesting, what are the life span numbers for each?

[@lonerider5315]

AGAIN WHEN! Or why Are we going to have the option to drive around in electric mode. Park, and let the engine charge the battery while im gone (wont be under load, so more efficient idle) Even tell the car, turn the engine on so i have 20 mi of electric range to get back home to my plug in. Wouldnt that be hyper efficient? Just my thoughts. I wanna know why its not an option.

[@Mr-pn2eh]

Nope

[@kubi0461]

Technically, the outlander phev can kinda work like that. From what I understand though It’s not efficient though to charge the battery with a gas engine like that. It would most like be more efficient to use the gas engine to drive until you can get to a charger.

[@jimjones-pz1tt]

Park and let the ICE charge the battery. You are 100% nuts.

[@spenny3091]

You’re onto something.. why on earth are we not charging EVs with gas generators

[@scottgabbard662]

EXCEPT for park and charge, many plug-in hybrids will let you do this for 20-30 miles (electric-only). You can then drive and recharge the battery. There definitely pros/cons and use cases. Do some Jeep 4Xe YT for more information. Not endorsing Jeep, the tech has a way to go.

[@briancorreia2923]

Plug-in hybrids? It’s seems to me like plug-ins are for people who would be totally happy with a battery electric vehicle but can’t get over their range anxiety.

[@scottgabbard662]

Not really. Thirty mile daily commute and 300 mile weekend trip to see kids and grandkids.

[@briancorreia2923]

@@scottgabbard662 That’s one long trip per week is unusual. You not willing to do one charging once a week?

[@dayoadeosun1520]

@@scottgabbard662 the best way to use a plug-in hybrid.

[@scottgabbard662]

@@briancorreia2923 I don’t think I’m missing something. You commented that “people who would be happy with a battery electric vehicle but can’t get over their range anxiety.” You are absolutely correct. I’m not paying more money to have anxiety. Period. I don’t pay money to watch sad movies or be depressed. Life is hard. Are you married? C’mon man, do you think I’m going to give my loving better half 30 minutes to -splain to me how she didn’t like the EV in the first place (even though she though she said she loved the color and how smooth it was). Nope. I like the idea of an EV but they have about 10 more years to go before I’ll likely throw my hat into the ring unless Aptera gets their s**t together. Hence, plug-in hybrids.

[@briancorreia2923]

@@scottgabbard662 I hear you. People’s personal comfort is what counts. I think we could see price parity between gasoline and EV sooner rather than later. I you aren’t asking me for my advice, but I think you would be better off with a non-plug-in hybrid….Unless incentives make the purchase price super favorable for the plug in. Or maybe even two cars, one electric and one hybrid, if the budget allows. Good luck either way and enjoy whatever you choose.

[@briancorreia2923]

Do buy a 2025 Camry for a log term. If you were asking for votes.

[@danielstevens3372]

Golf cart the best plug in hybrid car the only one that people can afford.

[@marcstruglia5910]

Nice hair...This time!

[@4tasmic]

You could feel the tension. Hard watch

[@1FiftyOverland]

Calling a prius sexy is hilarious

[@blakespower]

all toyota hybrids are overpriced because everyone wants to buy them

[@wilmarbarrick3194]

So now your can maintain an ICE vehicle **AND** an EV all in one. 😂

[@Redhawk24]

It’s easier to maintain.

[@wilmarbarrick3194]

​@@Redhawk24 No, it's not. The ICE inspections are the same and despite what EV advocates say, the technology still has its maintenance schedule and inspections that are additional. If you dont believe it, read the owner's manual.

[@Redhawk24]

@@wilmarbarrick3194 no starter. Serpentine belts and other parts. Less brake replacements. Less stress on engine.