AutoWeek praises Saturn Vue hybrid
AutoWeek recently test drove the Saturn Vue Greenline hybrid and they apparently loved GM's new hybrid. Now, I have not driven the Vue hybrid and it might be an excellent vehicle, but I'm also very skeptical of AutoWeek. Sometimes it seems that AutoWeek is more of a puppet of GM, concerned more with maintaining a slice of GM's monstrous advertising budget than with objective GM reporting. Additionally, the article tries to compare Ford Escape hybrid fuel economy to Vue fuel economy based on "track" testing. This is silly. Tracks determine mostly highway fuel economy. If you drive in congestion, then the Vue is going to offer far worse fuel economy compared to the hybrid Escape. If you drive mostly on the open highway, then the Vue hybrid is definitely worth your consideration compared to the Escape hybrid. (AutoWeek Review)Labels: ford escape hybrid, hybrid cars
posted by Dahcredyns @ 8:23 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I have driven both. Your comment regarding the fuel economy is only correct on paper. The VUE does not offer full electric capability while the Escape does. Go drive the Escape and try and keep it in the electric mode only. Then be honest and drive the vehicle in a normal manner, even a conservative "little old lady going to church" mode and you will discover that the Escape jumps into the gas mode almost all the time. At this point things are pretty even, except, for the huge price difference.
Like it or not, GM has shown the wiser path here and done a whole lot with very little. The BAS mild hybrid system does not require as expensive batteries or huge transmission alterations.
In summary I agree with Autoweek... Ford's advantage does disappear in the real world and the VUE's price now becomes the big factor... and here there is no debate... the VUE cost thousands less, and it's simpler approach is not going to be an issue a decade from now when hybrid parts need to be serviced and replaced.
Thanks for you time.
Well, I guess the researchers at Edmunds and Consumer Reports just don't know what they are talking about?
Just last week Edmunds published a new report stating that with current gas prices that the Ford Escape hybrid can pay for its hybrid costs in just 3 years.
On the other hand, the Vue requires 6 years - even with its cheaper technology ( I guess maybe you do get what you pay for).
And let's face it, Edmunds has not been the greatest supporter of hybrid technology. So this report is very compelling
The only conditions that the Vue hybrid can match the Escape hybrid is possibly in highway driving. In such conditions, as I've stated, the Vue hybrid is worth consideration.
If you live in an urban area, with regular slow-and-go, or stop-and-go traffic, the Vue cannot compete with the Escape hybrid.
That assessment isn't based on my driving experiences, but by extensive research done by numerous, objective automotive testers.
Besides, if GM is so proud of the mild Vue hybrid, why are they still planning a full Vue hybrid? According to your view that makes no sense.
If mild hybrid technology is so great, why is it not planned for the Tahoe or Yukon? Why will the Tahoe and Yukon hybrids be offered as more expensive full hybrids?
Let's be honest GM originally planned the Vue to have full hybrid technology, but they fell so far behind on perfecting their dual mode hybrid powertrain that they HAD to resort to a mild hybrid.
More important, hybrid technology is only just emerging, the best is yet to come as batteries and software are further developed.
Even more important, if GM is so smart, aren't full hybrids more pertinent to GM's long term plans, the fuel cell vehicle?
Even GM powertrain engineers admit that GM fuel cell vehicles will be fuel cell hybrid vehicles. Also, many fuel cell makers claim that plug-in hybrid vehicles offer the best path to plug-in fuel cell hybrid vehicles because such vehicles can keep the size of the fuel cell minimal.
So, no, I completely disagree with you. I do not think GM has been wise at all. When GM admits it could have beat Toyota to the Prius if it just used a fraction of its yearly marketing budget to develop hybrids, instead of promoting foreign-oil guzzling vehicles, I can't really call that wise.
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