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I am trying to understand why people pay so much for hybrid technology when clean turbo diesels offer the same outstanding performance (and better in some cases). I feel like the Germans offer much better performance and safety dollar-for-dollar.
Please let me know why one would choose a hybrid over a turbo diesel. I am especially interested when I see the cost of higher end hybrids in the SUV and luxury car class.
There are competing high mileage technologies out there. Generally hybrids do better in city driving when you factor in the lower cost of regular gas. The savings of diesel are mainly on the highway. The Germans have a lot of technology in this regard. Others don't.
The ideal really is a diesel hybrid then you don't lose the energy lost when going downhill.
If you buy a hybrid, it excels for local driving. A diesel excels at longer driving. It depends on what you need. I like both kinds of cars myself for their type of driving focus. Personally I would love a hybrid diesel, you would get the best of both worlds. VW has a V-10 Touareg hybrid, which seems a bit excessive when trying to get decent fuel economy...I would buy a small engine hybrid in like a Tiguan if it was available.
Diesel still has that reputation for producing giant clouds of black smog I think. I feel like a lot more people associate hybrids with "clean" and "fuel efficient" than they do for diesels.
I hear that. BUT i had a friend tell me that saw demo where they put a napkin over the tailpipe of a V.W. turbo-diesel and it came out clean after a few minutes...so much so that the guy rubbed it all over his face. I heard it was impressive and this came from someone who doesn't care too much about the environment.
I think part of it has to do with the guilt trip some environmentalists lay on people for not bending over backward for helping to save the environment. Perhaps it could also be "penance" for the lifestyle some people live, as though it were too flamboyant. Who knows.
Other posters have said it well: it depends on the type of driving you do.
If you are driving at lower speeds, stop and go (city driving) a hybrid is the way to go.
If you are doing long hauls, the diesel is the way to go.
Add to all this the fact that the diesel engine is rarely "marketed" to the American public as well as hybrids are. I *rarely* if ever see any type of advertisement for a diesel car. In fact, besides the VW diesels, I wouldn't even know where to start looking for more to compare models. I know exactly where I need to go to car-shop hybrids.
Because they end up saving more money long term. I like hybrids and diesel cars. I think there are even hybrid diesels that get amazing gas mileage. The only downfall with diesels is that they cost more to maintain.
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