As the automotive industry has changed, so has the terminology. Make sense of what can be a challenge. Over the past few decades, designers began building vehicles to bring all the comforts of trucks with the comforts of sedans. They called them hybrids. Meanwhile, other designers were working on building more energy efficient vehicles. The new vehicles combined traditional fuel sources with new electrical power sources. They called their new energy efficient cars hybrids. So what is a hybrid? And what features do they offer?
For classification purposes, automakers have historically divided their light vehicle products into two categories, cars and light trucks. Hybrids are new categories. Some hybrids cross the car-truck line. Other hybrids are the new alternative power or hybrid drive cars. Let’s take a look at each one.
Hybrid-powered vehicles combine the benefits of an electric car with the convenience of a gasoline model. An electric motor handles normal stop-start traffic and initial highway acceleration. A gasoline or even diesel internal combustion engine kicks in when a car reaches a higher speed. A computer control system switches from one power system to another as needed. At high speeds, the gasoline engine recharges the batteries of the electric motor, so there is no need for external electrical power.
Hybrid design vehicles are cars that blur the lines between car, truck, or van. Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are actually types of hybrids, but are now considered a separate class of vehicle. Specifically, an SUV is a cross between a truck and a van. A hybrid is a vehicle that has the characteristics of at least two separately classified vehicle types. A hybrid can have the towing capacity of a truck, a convertible top like a sports car, and the cargo capacity of a pickup. Make sense?
Ok so can a car be both? Safe. Hybrid power and hybrid design are not related. But that won’t stop people from confusing the terminology. Be prepared for others to simply say hybrid car when referring to any type of vehicle. Writers, other consumers, and even car dealers sometimes use the simple hybrid to refer to one or both types of vehicles.
Hybrids combine vehicle options to help consumers purchase a multipurpose vehicle. Adding the comfort of a sedan to the towing capacity of a truck allows for easy long-distance travel and the convenience for moving and yard work, without having a separate truck or trailer.
And hybrid-powered cars, according to many, are the future of the automotive industry. Taking the best features from all designs and power sources and combining them to make the most efficient multipurpose vehicle possible makes deciding what to buy simpler.
Do you have the best vehicle for your lifestyle? If you like the comfort of a sedan but often struggle because you often need a larger, more versatile vehicle to complete yard work or move furniture, it might be time to consider an SUV or other hybrid. Call your dealer today to start learning about all the great hybrid options available to you. The right hybrid vehicle can fulfill many functions while providing the comfort you want every day. And with a hybrid powered vehicle you can combine comfort, towing capacity, space and energy efficiency in one vehicle! Why wait another minute when you could be driving the car of your dreams?
