I've read other posts about what Honda "should" hybridize next...unfortunately it is all speculation and a bit dated. Is there any new speculation/rumors that has a bit of reality dealing with a hybrid Pilot or CRV? My wife has fallen in love with the Pilot, but we would only get it if it comes as a hybrid. The other option is a CRV because we like it more than the FEH. Come on guys, gimme some hope. Thanks.

My wishlist:

I am very interested in the newly announced Hybrid slotted under the Civic. I would really love to see it be like the Fit--a well designed 5 door with magic seats that enabled a large amount of cargo room for a small car. It would be cool if it used the same engine/IMA as the HCH, which should be fairly powerful for a car that sized. An updated version of the Insight engine/IMA would be cool too.

Serious bonus points for a manual transmission, LI-Ion batteries, and a plug in!

Commuter car, grocery getter, and summer road tripper--average 10k miles per year.


Winter road trips and ski trips, bad weather commuter and my wife's "daily" driver--expected average 4k miles per year.

There will never be a hybrid CRV or Pilot !!!

In fact, the Civic is the largest platform that Honda will continue to hybridize. All other follow-up hybrids will be of the same size as the Civic or smaller vehicles.

Honda and their engineers have said many times for the last 4-5 years, that hybrid technology offers diminishing returns in efficiency for larger vehicles. That is why the larger platforms above the Civic will get clean Diesel power-plants for higher fuel economy in North America.

Sorry.

MSantos

I am very interested in the "mystery" hybrid that is to be positioned between the Fit and the Civic. With any luck, it will also be a hatchback (and thus take on the Prius head-to-head). If Honda creates a small hatchback hybrid that gets mid-50s for gas mileage *and* costs $2k-$3k less than the Prius, *and* was still eligible for a $2,000 tax credit, it would be a real no-brainer of a purchase.

It doesn't matter that IMA is a mild-hybrid architecture. It's a proven winner in small and tiny cars.

I would like to see a real economy car with a hybrid option. Something like a Fit or something with a hybrid. You could get a really fairly inexpensive car (I am guessing the technology costs about $4000 ??).

I don't honestly need gps, cameras, leather seats, microwave ovens, DVD drives, etc etc. (I am guessing the displays cost about $200-300 and would be willing to pay for these-- as I think they are part of the mileage improvements).

If you took an economy car and added hybrid technology wouldn't you get maybe a $15000 car vs a $23000 car? I wouldn't buy a hyundai or Kia as I have had enough bad luck with them as rental cars. The most hated beast i ever drove was a Rio.

--des

Exactly! I want a good solid economy car hybrid. With my 8-mile round trip, I could care less about Nav, bluetooth, etc. Sell me a small, sturdy, comfortable car with a Fit-level trim and 55 MPG and I'll be thrilled.

I couldn't agree with you two enough, as there is definitely a market for the so called 'economy' hybrid. but I think the awe factor in the technology and the need to recoup, innovate and start making a profit on hybrids are the defining reasons why there is no sub $20,000 hybrid.
I, on the other hand am looking for an SUV hybrid and just want more choices. I really like Honda vehicles, but they don't, and may not come out with an SUV hybrid.I know I cannot be the only person that wants a larger vehicle that also gets good gas mileage. Even if a small vehicle benefits most as a hybrid, SUVs stand to benefit as well.
bottom line...I guess I'm spoiled and want more choices. Is that so wrong?

I think that Toyota, at least, is definitely making a profit and both Honda and Toyota are doing better than the American car makers, which is saying something.

I think there could be enough gauges and so on to give you a little wow factor on an economy model (I think you need at least the mpg gauge, if not a few more) as I think the gauges do affect the actual mpg that you will get. I am thinking behaviorally I guess. But I and many other drivers do not need bluetooth, nav, etc etc. etc. To me it gets silly for driving purposes. I want a radio and a CD player, heater, A/C, radial tires, and I like power windows and doors-- more for safety. (Less an issue in NM than in the big city.) Heck I don't mind keys, as i think you can lose of fob too.

I think hybrid in a *small* SUV makes sense. (I am thinking size-wise of an Outback, Forester, CRV, RAV) There are people with bigger families, more consistent hauling needs, etc. But I think a lot of people feel they need them based on commercials that show SUVs climbing mountains and sitting on the tops of canyons. If you put a hybrid engine in a larger SUV you don't get much return. Most of them get rather limited mileage gains and aren't true hybrids anyway.

BTW, that won't be so true with plug-ins. Also there exists an all electric RAV, not taht you can buy one.


--des