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Originally Posted by bwilson4web
Hybrid vs manual transmission
No hybrid for sale today has a manual transmission yet invariably a manual transmission or automatic with a manual mode is use for the comparison. The automatic version of the gas or diesel is never used.
Highway only test
To avoid letting the hybrid operate in electric mode, the comparison tests are invariably on a highway test, often at speeds above 65 mph. This ensures the hybrid drive train is never able to contribute to the vehicle performance. The real question is why the highway efficient Honda Civic Hybrid wasn't used?
Hybrid vs. stripped non-hybrid
Standard hybrids are loaded with what are expensive options on any other car. Price comparisons of the lowest MSRP ignores the cost of an equivalent configured car. As their manufacturing efficiencies have gone down, the Camry hybrid premium is only $1,500. But the biased article will seek out the maximum hybrid premium vehicles.
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I'll offer a few suggestions, see bolded words in your paragraphs above. I think wording that alerts a reader to consider whether a comparison used such a tactic may be more appropriate. Saying invariably and never paints with a wide brush.
The first paragraph could alternatively read:
No hybrid for sale today has a manual transmission yet
frequently a manual transmission or automatic with a manual mode is use for the comparison. For direct comparison an automatic transmission should be used, studies that don't are suspect.
The second paragraph could alternatively read:
Some comparison tests are
limited to a strictly highway test, often at speeds above 65
mph. This prevents the hybrid drive train from contribute to the vehicle performance and efficiency. This test won't reflective the effects of stop-and-go driving where the hybrid's benefits are primarily focused.
The initial reaction reading the first few points were that you're saying all comparisons are being stacked or biased instead of somehow wording it as a warning or factor to consider when reading a comparison.
As for the Camry hybrid premium of $1,500, that indeed reflects the difference between a Hybrid and XLE ($1,475 actually) but as I mentioned on the other post the actual price paid may be considerably different. For one the XLE has a standard moonroof, which is a $940 option on the hybrid. The only other differences I see from Kelly Blue Book is the Hybrid has a rear window defrost that isn't available on the XLE and the XLE has passenger side electric seat which isn't available on the Hybrid. Currently the KBB doesn't have data on the actual sale prices that people are paying for the 2007 models. There is data available for the XLE showing that the average purchaser paid $1884 under MSRP for the 2006 model. One thing I found surprising is that the price increase for the XLE from 2006 to 2007 was $1,630, or a 7% increase? A more accurate premium could be 1475 + 940 + 1884 = $4299. From the TCH section of greenhybrid I didn't find much on what owners paid, but IMO assuming that the Hybrids are selling for straight MSRP is conservative. There were mentions of rejected deals from dealerships asking 1-4k over MSRP, presumably there are willing buyers.
Please take my comments as constructive, that's how they are intended.