Archives

Since I'm considering a hybrid being in my future, I have a question: After the heavy amounts of that nasty white stuff, I've been wondering which hybrid takes the biggest FE hit in the cold and snow? Prius or HCH1/HCH2?

My guess would be that the Prius takes the biggest hit but I could be wrong. My basis for that statement is that the Prius makes stupid-high mileage by shutting down the ICE and coasting or stealthing, which is much harder to achieve in cold weather. The Civic uses its super-tall CVT and that fantastic little engine to camp out and very high instant FE readings, and of course using its own version of gliding in the hands of a skilled pilot. So maximum FE doesn't necessarily depend on the hybrid system working optimally in the Civic whereas it does in the Prius. Again, I could be wrong but that's my take.

I really think that you should base any decision on your driving environment, assuming that each vehicle is operating at its peak. Cold weather is a consideration but I really don't think it should be the deciding factor.

Since I'm considering a hybrid being in my future, I have a question: After the heavy amounts of that nasty white stuff, I've been wondering which hybrid takes the biggest FE hit in the cold and snow? Prius or HCH1/HCH2?

From my experience - particularly in extreme cold weather - my 07 Prius takes a measurable hit in FE when compared to my 06 HCH-II. So much so, that I often elect to leave it in the garage until the temps climb a little.

For longer urban trips I still try to drive the Prius since it seems to retain the warmth better once it is up to temperature. By the way, both cars are constantly plugged in and I have the front grill covered on both. My signatures pretty much paint the FE picture when correlated to the average temperatures. One aspect that is not reflected in my recorded mileages is that I have been driving both cars strategically so that their FE is almost identical. Otherwise If I drove them evenly, the discrepancy between the two would be much larger.



Cheers;

MSantos

Hi all--

Not a direct comparison since they're different ages and commutes, but my wife's FE in her Prius fell maybe 2mpg and stayed down once the cold weather hit. I've been struggling to get 40 the past few weeks in my HCH-II, when I can reliably and easily get 45 on just "cool" days. On warm days I can get 55+.

Like I said, though, my HCH-II isn't broken in yet, her commute is considerably different, and we have different driving techniques. So it's not a fair comparison yet. -RN

i find i can get better mileage with just the snow, since i tend to drive the car very "lightly", meaning with a light touch.

what kills mine has been the -20 we have seen recently. even slowing down hasn't helped a whole lot.