Honda Car Forum

The Honda Civics beat out todays hybridsand so did the VW Diesels.And they didn't require a $3000 battery that will go badand create toxic waste in both the making and the scrapping of...

Because they waste the extra fuel effincency on extra power and stuff like that, so in case you need those 550 HP...

It all depends on the basis of your "comparison". If you are comparing fuel economy and that's it you may have a valid point. If you are comparing emissions you are incorrect. Also, not all hybrid batteries create "toxic waste". Ni-cad batteries are completely recyclable and do not create "toxic waste".

Because today's hybrids are faster, quieter, roomier, more crashworthy and weigh about a thousand pounds more! In all, their gas mileage is pretty good considering all of that.

Good question...one would think today's cars, hybrids or not would excel in fuel economy.IMO, one big reason for so-so economy is that the public demands:- larger, heavier (compact) vehicles today than what were accustomed to during the '70s.- more performance, especially more horsepower.Note how various manufacturers' sub-compact models gradually bloated into 'compact'...and some even into mid-size cars. For example, the 2007 Honda Civic is as large & as heavy as a mid-90s Accord. More weight means less fuel economy when the engine must be upsized to propel it.Also, most compact cars in the '70s were powered by motors nowhere nearly as powerful as what we are seeing today. My wife (then girlfriend) drove a '71 Datsun 1200 that got over 32 mpg, but did so from a 69 hp engine. The car was VERY light. In fact, I don't know of any (truly) small fuel efficient cars during the '70s that generated more than 100 hp. Today, many compact cars develop 150, 200, some even 300 hp. That's a trade-off that costs at the gas pumps!Also & specific to your question, I've observed that the industry has in some cases (e.g., Honda V6 Accord Hybrid, and Lexus RX400H Hybrid) auto manufacturers have used the auxilary electric motor of the hybrid design to ADD to the car's overall hp in lieu of creating a more overall fuel efficient design. This all goes to show just how horsepower crazy the car buying public has really become!BTW, hybrid designs are here to stay, and continued refinement will deliver better & better economy. With $4 / gal. gas (in Cal. this summer), kiss 6,000 lb. V8 SUVs goodbye!