Why Do Companies Sacrifice Mileage For Performance On Hybrids? Isn't UNREAL Mileage All People Want?

As we have seen the green movement come, there has been a flurry of alternative energy vehicles. From light hybrids to all-electric autos, there have been cars and trucks of all flavors. But, a noticeable trend is a lot of new hybrid or alternative energy vehicles have been focusing on performance.

Problem is: these performance-oriented alt. energy vehicles do not deliver the best MPG numbers.

And, isn't that what customers want from these vehicles? For example, we see the new Honda CR-Z, which is being pushed as a "driver's hybrid," yet achieves a zero to 60 time of nearly 10 seconds. As a user pointed out the other day, the Honda Odyssey is faster than that. Although these times are not the best way to judge, it does not paint an inspiring picture.

The positive side of the CR-Z is that initial reports are saying it will obtain nearly 60 MPG. So, why are they pushing this performance angle?

Then, there are cars like the dreaded Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. While it delivered performance on par with the regular sedan counterpart, it could not break the low 20s, when it came to MPG.

What do you say SPIES? More performance, less MPG? OR, more MPG and less performance?

What is the right mix?


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