Posts Tagged ‘hybrid’

Jill Ciminillo

I have to admit, I don’t quite understand the point of the 2011 Honda CR-Z. It’s supposed to be sporty. And it’s supposed to be a hybrid. But with all the compromises involved, it kind of fails at both.

Fuel economy for this 3-door coupe is rated at 31 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. A 31 city number is nothing to sneeze at. If you could actually achieve it. Which, in a city like Chicago, is difficult. And you might think 37 mpg for the highway is pretty good, until you remember this is a compact 2-seater that weighs 2,650 pounds (EX model with the MT).

When non-hybrids like the Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze Eco are rated at 40 and 42 mpg respectively on the highway, you’ve got to look at the CR-Z and give it a bit of a “Huh?”

Might be time to rethink that mild hybrid  vs. full hybrid thing, Honda.

Automakers like Toyota and Ford create “full” hybrids, which means that the vehicles have the ability to drive in electric-only mode as long as the battery is charged and you don’t go over a certain speed (somewhere in the 30 to 45 mph range). But Honda creates “mild” hybrids, which means that the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gives an electric boost in power when accelerating and enables the engine to turn off during braking and when at a complete stop. In some instances, Civic and Insight hybrids are able to operate in electric-only mode while cruising — but only when maintaining a constant or decelerating speed. As soon as soon as the gas pedal engages for active acceleration, the gasoline engine kicks in. The CR-Z can’t drive in electric-only mode at all. And that is why a midsize car like the Prius is rated at 48 mpg on the highway, and a compact car like the CR-Z only gets 37.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jill Ciminillo

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.–As I was sitting through the media presentation for the all-new 2011 Lexus CT 200h, I had a distinct feeling of deja vu.

Lexus said they were targeting younger buyers and rattled off phrases like “early adapters,” “tech savvy” and “socially connected.” They identified this demographic as people who are interested in “self discovery” and “personalization.” Thus traditional marketing and traditional options don’t quite jibe with this vehicle.

Where in the world have I heard this before? Oh! I know! About 7 years ago in a similar press review for the launch of an all-new brand: Scion.

2011 Lexus CT 200h

Granted, I get that the demographic they’re targeting with the CT is exactly the same as the target for the initial Scion. But I have to admit my brain is having a hard time making the leap from a Gen Yer, who 5 years ago wanted a car that cost under $20K to a Gen Yer who now makes more than $100K and wants a car that costs more than $30K.

Man, am I in the wrong profession.

I’m also having a problem with the idea that someone would go from a Scion directly to a Lexus.

But perhaps that’s just me?

Read the rest of this entry »

Jill Ciminillo

The 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid goes beyond big. It is well into gargantuan territory. Which isn’t necessarily a good thing. Especially if you live in an urban environment like I do. This tank of a vehicle was kind of like a bull in a China shop with nothing nimble about it.

Petite drivers need not apply.

While I was able to get a great driving position with excellent visibility with the 6-way power adjustable seat combined with the tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power adjustable pedals, everything else about this vehicle was cumbersome for this 5-foot-tall driver.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

Entry and exit was doable with the running boards, but it wasn’t pretty. Especially in a pencil skirt and high heels. The third-row seat is an often necessary feature in growing families who carpool.

But if you need the cargo room over the passenger space, forget about it. The rear seats fold down, but they don’t fold flat. If you need the space, you have to remove these 100-pound suckers from the vehicle. Which is kind of easy as they slide down a track. But lifting them in and out, not so much. Read the rest of this entry »