So this is interesting - Hybrid Payback Period

[Howie411]

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridCompare.jsp

 

 

2015 Ford Fusion Titanium vs 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium - Payback Period 2.6 Years

 

 

2015 Ford Fusion SE vs 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE- Payback Period 5.7 Years

 

 

2015 Ford Fusion S vs 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid S - Payback Period 6.9 Years

 

 

So basically if your going to buy a titanium, you may as well buy the Hybrid.

 

 

[md13ffhguy]

I did that calculation before buying my 2013 FFH SE, and determined that payback for me would be about 3 years @ 25K miles per year, and the price of gas at the time. Of course, I used the EPA combined figure from that time - 47 MPG. Fortunately, my actual results are better than that! :happy feet: However, my actual payback period has probably grown a little, since gas prices have dropped so much. I can only look at that as a win/win situation. Bottom line for me is, these cars have been well worth the investment.

[djminfll]

If we all went to the dealer and paid cash for the car, then the payback period would apply. However, I financed my vehicle, and the difference between a comparably SE and my SE Hybrid was a maximum of about $70 per month. However, I drive about 66 miles per day roundtrip for work. At 22mpg in the SE (EPA) vs. 44mpg in the SE Hybrid (EPA and my actual overall average), I would be using approximately 40 extra gallons per month. Even at $2.50 (which is well below the cost overall since I got the car is 2013) per gallon, I am saving more than $100 per month. So the payback advantage is immediate. I don't know why more people don't use this to calculate if it's worthwhile to go with the Hybrid.

[raadsel]

Here's a study that determined, of 2014 models, only 10 of 30 hybrids will actually save buyers money in the first five years, over the equivalent non-hybrid. In the case of the Fusion, it estimates the Fusion Hybrid will still cost $2044 extra in purchase price, maintenance, and gasoline over a 5 year period as compared to the non-hybrid; though it is worth pointing out they used the S model for the Fusion. The Fusion Hybrid was one of the top 5 hybrids in terms of gas savings over the non-hybrid version, saving $4,265 over five years. The total cost of ownership over 5-years was found to be $40,340, if driven 15,000 miles per year.

 

The C-Max fared a little better, only costing $788 more -- though they compared it with the Focus, which is not a completely fair comparison since the C-Max is 6" taller. The C-Max has a 5 year cost of ownership of $37,426 (SE model).

Edited May 22, 2015 by raadsel

[SteveB_TX]

My payback was immediate on the MKZh! Same base price for gas vs hybrid. Poor gas Z owners probably subsidize us hybrid owners. :spend:

[thrasher086]

Also the Hybrid models have less maintenance compared to gas. Brake pads are barely used and oil is stretched to 10,000.

[djminfll]

In addition to my previous comment, in addition to the savings in gas, I know I have mentioned this before, but I drive on the I-95 Express Lanes for free, which would either cost me $10-15 per day, or add 30-60 minutes of commuting each way.

[hybridwannabe]

In addition to my previous comment, in addition to the savings in gas, I know I have mentioned this before, but I drive on the I-95 Express Lanes for free, which would either cost me $10-15 per day, or add 30-60 minutes of commuting each way.

Yea that is HUGE haha! A very nice savings right there for both time and money. Another thing from reading the non hybrid forums, some/many of those owners are not getting the mpg they thought with their vehicles. In fact some with the 1.5/turbo aren't happy at all. And the 2.0 isn't exactly knocking anyone off their feet MPG wise. I looked into an SE 1.5 and couldn't pull the trigger with so many unhappy at their milage. On other forums as well.

[machoman1337]

A lot of reviews don't take into account the fact that the hybrid model comes with a bit more standard equipment than the 2.5 S model, which makes the actual price difference smaller than it seems. Same applies to many other hybrid cars.

 

I calculated that the price difference between a 2.0L Ecoboost SE and a Hybrid SE with identical levels of equipment would be slightly over $2,000 CAD (back in early 2014).

 

I drive 40-50 km a day round trip and often encounter horrible traffic, which means my payback period will be less than 3 years for sure. That's not taking into account the utility value of the driving experience!

 

Also with gas being more expensive in Canada ($1.30/litre right now in Vancouver) the payback for buying a hybrid will be somewhat faster than in the US.

[acdii]

I always laugh at the "payback" thing regarding hybrids. Whats the payback of buying a GT 500 instead of a V6 Mustang? It is nothing more than a matter of choice. There is more to buying a Hybrid than saving gas. So what if it cost a bit more than the gas version, but in the long run using fewer gallons of gas over the ownership of the car saves more than just pocket change, environmentally is an even bigger savings.

[Griswald]

My payback was complete the first time I turned the key. It was the car I wanted at the price I wanted to pay. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

Cars are not investments, they are commodities.

[storksb]

I agree with ACDII, the payback period is one small calculation to consider when buying a car. When I recently upgrade to a Titanium Energi I didn't even bother to calculate the payback period over a similarly equipped FFH Titanium. It came down to choice, I wanted to be able to drive in EV mode whenever possible and when I do so it costs me less than half what the FFH would cost in energy usage but I'm not going to calculate how many miles and how long it will take for the Energi to payback the extra cost. Just going to enjoy driving it instead.

[acdii]

There you go, seems like I'm not the only one who looks at it like this. I never consider a car an investment unless its a Classic that I know I can flip some day. There was a commercial on the radio years ago that made me laugh calling a car an investment. Investment to me is something that eventually earns you money, like a house(though recently...), or an IRA or 401K, those are investments, and payback on those are something you want to know.

 

Buying a car is more of a choice, like a refrigerator, or stove. You will never get back what you paid(unless its an LG and it craps out in 8 months) for any of these, so just get what you want and enjoy it. I enjoyed my HyTi tremendously, and to me it was a great car for the time I had it, would still have it if I could have found a way to keep it, but having a car sit outside not being driven is bad for a car.

[md13ffhguy]

The payback principle is simple, whether you choose to recognize it or not. Would you pay several thousand more for the car if it got the same MPG as the conventional models? While some may care enough to be greener, and may have the means to do so, most of us probably buy it for the expected improvements in fuel efficiency. The payback principle allows you to determine when the expected savings will stop covering the additional cost of the hybrid option. After that, the savings stay in your pocket.

[machoman1337]

Agree with everyone here - one of the biggest points of driving a hybrid is the driving experience itself. The same reason some people would opt for larger engines in regular cars even if they could get all the same options on smaller engines - they feel that the difference in driving experience is well worth the additional cost!

[expresspotato]

I've since made the switch to a 2015 Energi, but I agree with a lot of the statements here. I actually like the CVT and its smooth power from start to finish. Getting into a car with a conventional fixed 5-8 speed transmission reminds me of antiquing. Plus the benefits of EV in parking garages, drive trough's, brisk acceleration, during accessory power, etc... the benefits just keep adding up.

 

Plus you're doing something good for the ENVIRONMENT unlike all those Mercedes, BMW and SUV drivers :puppy_kiss:

[machoman1337]

I just went to Ikea and felt pretty smug about being the only person to use the hybrid parking lots (there were 6 total).

 

A few days ago I also went downtown for a conference and opted to park in the underground of the Shangri-La and walk a few hundred metres because daily parking at the Shangri-La was less than half the cost of the daily parking at my actual destination ($13 vs $30). In the Shangri-La carpark I saw three EV charging stations, two of them occupied by Teslas. Made me wish at that moment that I owned an Energi so I could join in the fun!

 

It's these little things that add up to making the hybrid experience so special :)

[dalesky]

I love this topic. It seems that most of us agree that we did not buy a hybrid for the payback factor. Instead we got one for the total experience, which for me is a satisfying one every time I drive it.

[nv rick]

Since getting my 2014 MKZ-h, I really appreciate the @ $20 fill ups as opposed to the @ $50 fill ups I was doing with my previous MKS.

About a year ago, the wife and I determined that we no longer needed the size of the MKS, and the added bonus of almost double the mpg of a hybrid was really tempting. We went with the MKZ-h after having leased two previous MKS models (2009 and 2011). At the time we bought the 'z' Lincoln was offering very attractive financing so we ended up purchasing rather than another lease.

The creature comforts of the 'z' compare very favorably with the 's' models, and the ride and mpg are a great flavor of gravy on top of it.

(Oh, and no increase in price over the ICE version is a nice touch.)

[nv rick]

There you go, seems like I'm not the only one who looks at it like this. I never consider a car an investment unless its a Classic that I know I can flip some day. There was a commercial on the radio years ago that made me laugh calling a car an investment. Investment to me is something that eventually earns you money, like a house(though recently...), or an IRA or 401K, those are investments, and payback on those are something you want to know.

 

Buying a car is more of a choice, like a refrigerator, or stove. You will never get back what you paid(unless its an LG and it craps out in 8 months) for any of these, so just get what you want and enjoy it. I enjoyed my HyTi tremendously, and to me it was a great car for the time I had it, would still have it if I could have found a way to keep it, but having a car sit outside not being driven is bad for a car.

o/t

What fridge did you decide to get?

[nv rick]

My payback was complete the first time I turned the key.

Keys are sooo twentieth century, lol.

Edited May 25, 2015 by nv rick

[SteveB_TX]

Keys are sooo twentieth century, lol.

Be nice now nv! We should support our brothers and sisters that must use such antiquated technology. ;)

Edited May 25, 2015 by SteveB_TX

[corncobs]

I love this topic. It seems that most of us agree that we did not buy a hybrid for the payback factor. Instead we got one for the total experience, which for me is a satisfying one every time I drive it.

I agree very interesting opinions. I'm part of the total experience group yes the cost savings did play a role but overall it was hybrid driving experience and technology aspect that sold me.

[Griswald]

Keys are sooo twentieth century, lol.

The only option I couldnt find matched with my other must have/must not have. Thinking about aftermarket...

[md13ffhguy]

I agree very interesting opinions. I'm part of the total experience group yes the cost savings did play a role but overall it was hybrid driving experience and technology aspect that sold me.

I wanted a car that would use less gas, that was bigger than a shoebox, and had better styling, too. All the other benefits are a plus.