If you’re in the market for a fuel efficient vehicle and are considering hybrids, you may want to take a good look at plug-in hybrids. They can offer significant advantages over your standard hybrid vehicle. The Hyundai Sonata, which is now offered in standard or plug-in hybrid variants, gives you two routes to green motoring. Despite being slightly less practical, the Sonata PHEV brings a world of benefits that could save us money on fuel without sacrificing power and refinement for everyone. However, the standard Sonata Hybrid is more widely available and comes with more features. Here are four reasons why you should jump for that PHEV and four more you should go with a standard hybrid.
Four Reason You Should Buy That Plug-In Hybrid
Better Fuel Economy and Range
One of the key benefits of a hybrid is that it comes with generous range fit for those lengthy road trips. A PHEV takes that a step further by giving you an extra boost via its EV mode, so you’ll be able to make the most out of the powertrain thanks to all of the options it gives you to maximize the fuel in your tank and your battery’s charge.
More Instant Torque
Compared to a standard hybrid, a PHEV usually comes with a more powerful electric motor and a larger battery, so you’ll have more power to use for passing, accelerating, and merging. The big bonus there is that an electric motor delivers power instantaneously, giving you access to that extra grunt at any time without having to go to a specific rev range to get it.
Federal Incentives Make Them Cheaper to Buy
In the states where they are available, PHEVs come with federal incentives, and sometimes it comes at the state level, too. This means that your more efficient and more powerful PHEV will eventually cost you less to buy than a standard hybrid, allowing you to save money before you even start driving.
You Can Commute On EV Mode If it’s Within the Car’s EV Range
Perhaps the biggest advantage of a PHEV is that it comes with an EV mode, which allows you to operate as an electric car until your battery charge runs out and the gas engine turns on. If your commute falls within the range of your PHEV’s EV mode range—27 miles in the case of the Hyundai Sonata PHEV—you’ll be able to commute without using a drop of gas, especially if you charge regularly and have access to a charging port.
Four Reasons You Shouldn’t Go For That Plug-In Hybrid
Limited Availability
Sadly, PHEVs are not available in every state in the U.S., and in the case of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata PHEV, it’s only available in 10 so far. This limits the car’s availability, so if you’re not in one of the states where the PHEV you want is available, you’re out of luck.
That Larger Battery Will Eat Your Trunk Space
A larger battery comes with some drawbacks, and in most cases, your trunk and cargo area takes the hit. Compared to standard hybrids, PHEVs are less practical because the bigger battery has taken a good chunk of space. Additionally, you won’t be able to fold down the rear seats, because the battery pack is blocking the opening, making PHEVs less practical for hauling stuff.
You’re Not Guaranteed to Get the Full Amount of Incentives
Just because you’re buying a PHEV doesn’t mean you’ll get all the incentives right away. First you have to find out if you’re eligible for it. The bad part is that even if you are eligible, it doesn’t mean you’ll get it all. It’s possible you’ll only get a portion of the maximum amount available for the specific vehicle.
There’s Still a Lack of Infrastructure for PHEVs and EVs
You can only take full advantage of a PHEV’s capabilities if there’s a charger around, just like with fully electric vehicles. However, there’s still a lack of infrastructure for PHEVs and EVs because there aren’t that many charging stations available across the country. This limits your ability to plug in, and you’ll have to rely on your PHEV’s charge mode to get your battery back to full.
Read more on plug-in hybrids:
- 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Plug-In Hybrid First Drive Review
- 2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e Plug-In Hybrid First Test Review
- 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. Fusion Energi: Which One Makes More Sense?
The post Four Reasons to Go With a Plug-In Hybrid and Four Reasons Not To appeared first on Motor Trend.
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