Hybrid performance in minus 25C weather

[zapfogldorf]

Hi all!

Background first:
My wife and I currently drive a 2011 Elantra that is getting horrendous FE. We received an email stating that we are eligible for an upgrade because our vehicle is in demand and we may be able to move into something newer. The reason we bought the Elantra to begin with was FE and it has not performed as promised. It was suggested to us that a 2012 Sonata Hybrid would be a much better choice for FE and they're trying to make us a deal on it.

On to the question: I'm wondering if this really is the vehicle for us and the reason is because we live in central Canada where its very cold in the winter which lasts almost half the year. Also, my drive to work is only 10 kms (6.2 miles) one way, I'm at work eight hours and then it's 10 kms home again. The bulk of our driving is in the city and it's mostly after work and on the weekends when my daughters have activities. We were told that because of the kind of driving we do, this would be a great vehicle for us but from what you've all been saying, the hwy mileage is way better than the city mileage and we do very little hwy driving in my vehicle atm.

Based on this little bit of info, can you guys chime in on whether this would be a good idea for us or not? Also, if it isn't, would you recommend moving into an 2013 Elantra GLS and just hoping for better mileage?

We've had a 1987 Hyundai Pony, an 2001 Accent and our 2011 Elantra so we've proven that we're Hyundai supporters but this mileage thing is really bothering me. Same mileage out of my old van as with this car and being told nothing is wrong.

Any help would be much appreciated. If all goes well, I hope to be posting as a proud Hybrid owner soon!

[Eric1r]

With the cold weather there and your short drive to work you won't be able to enjoy the efficiency of the hybrid. It takes 10-15 minutes in warm weather and 20-30 minutes in cold weather for the hybrid system to get up to its peak efficiency. With those conditions you'll never even come close to 30 MPG.

While the HSH is a great car, I'd recommend that you save your money and buy a non-hybrid car. The HSH just isn't a good fit for your situation in my opinion.

[zapfogldorf]

Originally Posted by Eric1r

With the cold weather there and your short drive to work you won't be able to enjoy the efficiency of the hybrid. It takes 10-15 minutes in warm weather and 20-30 minutes in cold weather for the hybrid system to get up to its peak efficiency. With those conditions you'll never even come close to 30 MPG.

While the HSH is a great car, I'd recommend that you save your money and buy a non-hybrid car. The HSH just isn't a good fit for your situation in my opinion.

Thanks, Eric1r... I appreciate the honest reply. The dealership doesn't have any entry level hybrids and won't have them for months (according to the people we talked to anyway) so they priced out a premium for me which I made the mistake of driving and really enjoying. The bottom line is that the car we have isn't giving us the FE that we were hoping for and told we would get and the dealership isn't very helpful with the problem either. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much out of it. I hesitate to move into an Elantra GLS for fear that I'll be in the same situation that I'm in now but for an additional two years. I hoped the Hybrid might be the answer as FE is the reason we got rid of our van to begin with and I loved that van.

[jglopic]

I agree with Eric1r. While I love my HSH, I couldn't in good conscience recommend it for the service which you have described, at least not if your goal is to achieve high fuel economy.

[zapfogldorf]

Originally Posted by jglopic

I agree with Eric1r. While I love my HSH, I couldn't in good conscience recommend it for the service which you have described, at least not if your goal is to achieve high fuel economy.

Thanks for the reply. Even with only two responses, there seems to be a trend forming. Since good fuel economy is the goal this might not be such a good idea. I really like the car though...

In thinking a little more about it, it's not always cold here. There will be months when the temperature will be much nicer during which I suppose FE would be better. The point is that the car we're driving now is terrible all year round so if the HSH would be better for us for half the year, it might be worth it. Then again, there is the extra cost of the car that has to be accounted for...

Confusion abounds. I'm supposed to go in to the dealership to talk numbers on Thursday. Hopefully I can make a decision by then.

Thanks again!

[dun4cheap]

What kind of FE are you getting in the elantra now. My avg in San Diego is 30-31MPG with my HSH. I have a 10 minute commute each way during the week. The weather here is usually above 60 during the winter, on rare mornings we se 45 or 50. Now I am hard on the throttle, I don't baby the HSH, however, I was hoping for atleast 33MPG but it just does not happen for me.

[zapfogldorf]

Originally Posted by dun4cheap

What kind of FE are you getting in the elantra now. My avg in San Diego is 30-31MPG with my HSH. I have a 10 minute commute each way during the week. The weather here is usually above 60 during the winter, on rare mornings we se 45 or 50. Now I am hard on the throttle, I don't baby the HSH, however, I was hoping for atleast 33MPG but it just does not happen for me.

We're getting 16-18 mpg. I think it's about 9.7L/100KM. According to the computer in the car, we're consistently averaging 11.6L/100KM. This just seems so high to us considering that our van was using about these same numbers.

Then again, maybe we're just expecting too much.

[crownr0yal]

Originally Posted by zapfogldorf

We're getting 16-18 mpg. I think it's about 9.7L/100KM. According to the computer in the car, we're consistently averaging 11.6L/100KM. This just seems so high to us considering that our van was using about these same numbers.

Then again, maybe we're just expecting too much.

I don't think you're expecting too much. I would also not suggest getting another 2013 Elantra, as I have one and my mileage is marginally better than yours. The sticker says 28/39. If I drove purely highway, I could easily get above 40, but the city mileage is deplorable at 21-22, even when I'm babying it and getting honked at.

[DrJim]

Originally Posted by zapfogldorf

Thanks, Eric1r... I appreciate the honest reply. The dealership doesn't have any entry level hybrids and won't have them for months (according to the people we talked to anyway) so they priced out a premium for me which I made the mistake of driving and really enjoying. The bottom line is that the car we have isn't giving us the FE that we were hoping for and told we would get and the dealership isn't very helpful with the problem either. Perhaps I'm just expecting too much out of it. I hesitate to move into an Elantra GLS for fear that I'll be in the same situation that I'm in now but for an additional two years. I hoped the Hybrid might be the answer as FE is the reason we got rid of our van to begin with and I loved that van.

I think you are getting good advice too but why not try and find out. The dealer wants to make a deal. Get the car cold, the dealer will probably want to warm it up for you, and take it for the round trip. Make sure to reset milage when you start and see how you do.

Please report back if you do a test, very curious.

P.S. some HSH's just seem to be better than others so test the one you intend to buy as well the Premium.

[dun4cheap]

I never put a lot of faith in the EPA numbers myself. While comparing different models, elantra included, I ended up going the HSH because it listed a mix of city and highway of 35MPG. I figured if I got 32-33 I would be happy. I am a little below that. My experience in cold weather is nill unless you consider 45F cold.