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Watch out for "fake" hybrids from big manufacturers

GasBuddy Blog -- With gasoline prices hovering deep in to $3 territory, sales of smaller cars have risen sharply with many Americans considering downsizing to a smaller more fuel efficient car. Many like the sounds of a hybrid. But beware, not all hybrids are bred equally.

The 2013 Chevy Malibu comes standard as a hybrid for the time being, but for a hybrid, stops short with only 25mpg city, 37mpg highway. Don't most full hybrids get better city mileage than highway? Some- the Prius, being a full hybrid has such economy. That's because a full hybrid generates power from the constant stop and go of a city. On the fueleconomy.gov website, it calls both vehicles "hybrid vehicle". Is that fair?

To find the answer, let's see what else is out...

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Submitted May 03, 2012 By: PD

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DYSKYPILOT Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,037 Points:653,180 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:17:16 AM Ignore DYSKYPILOT Report Abuse not GM!
GreenLegend Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,673 Points:402,595 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:16:21 AM Ignore GreenLegend Report Abuse Keep the marketing guys out of it. Engineer a true hybrid with excellent mileage and range, and it will sell.
ModelWarships Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,890 Points:1,251,010 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:16:01 AM Ignore ModelWarships Report Abuse fakes hybrids???
haleyfan Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,924 Points:746,870 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:14:05 AM Ignore haleyfan Report Abuse that is terrible.
palmer67114 Rookie Author Wichita Posts:26 Points:600,320 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:11:45 AM Ignore palmer67114 Report Abuse I get 30-32 mpg out of my old Cobalt (not a hybrid) just driving smarter. How is the extra $$ to get a Malibu Hybrid worth it?
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:13,698 Points:2,745,475 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:11:36 AM Ignore Lengas Report Abuse THEY COST TOO MUCH
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,681 Points:849,800 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:11:17 AM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse Ok
hornet17 Champion Author Vancouver Posts:1,323 Points:440,865 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:11:06 AM Ignore hornet17 Report Abuse isn't that still pretty good mileage for a vehicle that size/
savannahoaks Champion Author Rockford Posts:2,837 Points:662,935 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:11:04 AM Ignore savannahoaks Report Abuse It's all marketing.
q2 Champion Author Alberta Posts:2,174 Points:407,045 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:11:01 AM Ignore q2 Report Abuse not worth the money
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,168 Points:307,705 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:11:01 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse ok
slvrdo_dsprdo Champion Author Nashville Posts:4,788 Points:928,265 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:10:16 AM Ignore slvrdo_dsprdo Report Abuse Probably still too expensive.
mtalb Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:153 Points:122,910 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:09:50 AM Ignore mtalb Report Abuse Run out and get a payment, that's the way to save!
dad2two Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,654 Points:774,345 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:09:30 AM Ignore dad2two Report Abuse The Malibu could be hurt by the perception that it is a true hybrid.
SUSANCK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,782 Points:732,205 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:09:17 AM Ignore SUSANCK Report Abuse I will not go near one.
TKAP Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,415 Points:411,285 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:09:14 AM Ignore TKAP Report Abuse I do not have this problem-no hybrid in my garage
F81M Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,640 Points:814,835 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:07:45 AM Ignore F81M Report Abuse 37 beats the heck out of my current 18 mpg!!
peanutsMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,828 Points:413,590 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:07:17 AM Ignore peanutsMN Report Abuse OK
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,609 Points:1,761,815 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:04:51 AM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse I'm not in the market for a new car and don't know how these figures work out in the long run but 37 mpg highway sound pretty good to me who is getting only about 28mpg.
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:8,183 Points:1,709,665 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:02:09 AM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse Come on GM. Kick it up a notch.
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,285 Points:1,910,995 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:01:38 AM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse Don't believe everything you read.
Kaiyne Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,480 Points:500,415 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:01:21 AM Ignore Kaiyne Report Abuse Danger Will Robinson, Danger!
gasrat6083 Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,565 Points:1,174,230 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:00:26 AM Ignore gasrat6083 Report Abuse What?
ShockinSean Veteran Author New York Posts:390 Points:1,570,050 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 10:00:16 AM Ignore ShockinSean Report Abuse I'll be staying away from any hybrid.
OnEmptyMO Champion Author St. Louis Posts:5,099 Points:1,515,655 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:59:43 AM Ignore OnEmptyMO Report Abuse Yesterdays news...again.
sailormon Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,595 Points:810,010 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:59:36 AM Ignore sailormon Report Abuse For those of you who think the Volt is "useless", please do a little research on the internet. Currently the Volt fleet has traveled almost 60 million miles, with over half of that (35 million) on ELECTRICITY ALONE!! The Volt is real and it works!
deaconjones Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,259 Points:324,955 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:59:35 AM Ignore deaconjones Report Abuse one must shop around and do their due diligence....you don't just buy the first car that'looks' good.....it's your money people, spend it wisely....
adr47 Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:5,667 Points:1,178,750 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:59:15 AM Ignore adr47 Report Abuse Thieves
indrix All-Star Author Toronto Posts:597 Points:162,815 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:59:05 AM Ignore indrix Report Abuse just like fake watches
MrLuigi Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,913 Points:994,385 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:58:58 AM Ignore MrLuigi Report Abuse that won't be a problem for me.....
RedskinGas Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,083 Points:1,144,860 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:57:49 AM Ignore RedskinGas Report Abuse Let the buyer beware!!!!
tsgasprc Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,342 Points:365,990 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:57:45 AM Ignore tsgasprc Report Abuse The Prius has no power and the batteries are expensive to replace in 7-8 years. The Mailbu is cheaper to run over this period of time.
too_darned_high Sophomore Author Indianapolis Posts:213 Points:361,025 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:56:30 AM Ignore too_darned_high Report Abuse Do your research on the internet and know ahead of time what it is you're wanting. With as much information as what's out there to review, if you don't get what you want, it's your own fault!
vizilo Champion Author British Columbia Posts:5,729 Points:2,590,650 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:56:07 AM Ignore vizilo Report Abuse okay
LanguageMan1 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,866 Points:1,689,490 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:55:33 AM Ignore LanguageMan1 Report Abuse Just like the Volt ISN'T an electric vehicle. Lies, distortion, misrepresentation, fraud, it's all too common.
jetmech568 Champion Author Idaho Posts:1,285 Points:650,980 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:54:25 AM Ignore jetmech568 Report Abuse ok
JENNYHK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,781 Points:740,295 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:54:13 AM Ignore JENNYHK Report Abuse I will just buy a Hyundai.
msgt_usa Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,620 Points:957,705 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:54:05 AM Ignore msgt_usa Report Abuse This is because GM doesn't have the technology to develope a hybrid. Case in point, the useless Volt. If you want proven hybrid technology, go to Toyota. They have five models now and more on the way for 2013.
JimL1 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:8,319 Points:1,259,470 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:54:03 AM Ignore JimL1 Report Abuse Our Prius is great and there were no subsidies. The rest seem to be pretenders. Ours is worth every penny that we spent for it and then some. We have the best, others can have the rest.
Sethyl Champion Author Miami Posts:1,894 Points:405,165 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:53:04 AM Ignore Sethyl Report Abuse It's in the small print.
RangerTrainer Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,598 Points:637,145 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:52:59 AM Ignore RangerTrainer Report Abuse That;s why you should read Consumers Report. Unbias!
Travel1st Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:3,068 Points:496,635 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:51:54 AM Ignore Travel1st Report Abuse Hybrid is kind of like "natural" with regard to food. The quotes are there for a reason.
Tutootin Champion Author Toronto Posts:10,261 Points:3,105,130 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:51:49 AM Ignore Tutootin Report Abuse gvan, Good point!
Car54BC08 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:4,394 Points:1,538,040 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:51:33 AM Ignore Car54BC08 Report Abuse Toyota is the way to go
lll4386 Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,963 Points:609,000 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:50:31 AM Ignore lll4386 Report Abuse "HYBRID" = more $$$
3mta3 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:867 Points:1,022,740 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:50:29 AM Ignore 3mta3 Report Abuse Gas milage is not everything. Most of these "Hybrids" are so cost prohibitive, that it would take forever just to -Suggestions- the extra costs. Not to mention what these things cost us (tax-payers) in federal subsidies.
Sonwise Champion Author Austin Posts:15,574 Points:3,039,750 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:50:29 AM Ignore Sonwise Report Abuse Unfortunately, the term hybrid means a combination of approaches and can be used regardless of the degree of combination and the efficiency. The Prius is the example that should be set as the standard as it truly runs in either gas or electric modes.
AriesMMD Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,571 Points:437,215 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:49:35 AM Ignore AriesMMD Report Abuse Just can't trust everything you read.
studandbabe Champion Author California Posts:4,361 Points:1,045,470 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:48:16 AM Ignore studandbabe Report Abuse Never buy an American car.
EmperorsFinest Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,564 Points:340,870 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:47:53 AM Ignore EmperorsFinest Report Abuse I will.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,293 Points:1,660,035 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:47:42 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse Having an "E-assist" "hybrid" makes very good sense in large vehicles where starting from a stop uses a lot of fuel. The electric drive in tandem with the engine wil achieve better overall mileage but not like a hybrid. How many of those "hybrid busses" now going around on city streets have the ability to go electric only as many true hybrids do? - NONE, they're all essentially e-assist. There should be different standards AND labeling for this but the gov't is bent on EV's and meeting the fake quotas of so many ev's as a percentage of vehicles sold. More of the same old figures lie and liars figure....