Honda Says New Hybrid Drive System a Bargain

With Honda's new hybrid-only model (not a hybrid version of an existing model) due out in 2009, the automaker has some good news for car buyers and anyone else interested in the development of hybrid technology: The hybrid drive system costs about half of what the Civic Hybrid's does, making for a significant reduction in production expenses.

Advancements have allowed for a lighter, less-complex design, and Honda expects the new model to start at $18,500. That marks the first sizeable reduction from previous lowest hybrid prices, which seemed to be stuck around $20,000.

Honda's new hybrid-only model — which doesn’t yet have a name — will supposedly be a five-passenger vehicle that’s slightly smaller than the Civic, meant to take on Toyota's hybrid champ, the Prius.

New 2009 Honda Hybrid Drive System to Cut Costs by 50% (NextEnergyNews)

Comments

sat in an Accord hybrid recently. never been in a hybrid before, but this one was kind of annoying despite its smooth transition between the drive systems.

i don't think i buy into the hybrid hype; for those of us who cannot ride a bike to work, driving a fuel-efficient strip-down like Yaris is sensible (and it goes faster than a stupid Moped and at least has asafe shell of crumple zones around you)

whatever honda does, until they prove otherwise, will be wildly succesful. I expect this hybrid to be a fast seller

If they do pull it off at this price point it probably won't come with air conditioning, power steering or radio. But it will come with cheesy plastic hubcaps.

$18,500 for a hybrid smaller than a Civic doesn't sound like a bargain at all, and it certainly can't be aimed at competing with the Prius, which is a mid-size car. All hype aside, it sounds like we'll be getting a hybrid variant of the Fit. The real question is whether Honda is going to stick with its inferior integrated motor assist technology for the new hybrid, or if it will finally graduate to producing a fully functional parallel hybrid like the Prius. There's a reason why the Insight and Accord Hybrid failed, and until Honda improves its hybrid system it will continue to eat Toyota's zero emission dust in the marketplace.

Any words on what kind of hybrid system? Can the electric motor power the car alone?
Also, what kind of body type will it have? Sedan? Hatchback?

Alex,
It's true that Honda has had more hits than misses but I would definitely not classify the Ridgeline as wildly successful.

In the past several years it's become clear that Honda is the best car company in the world. Unlike Toyota, Honda has maintained if not improved upon their already legendary quality and reliability scores. I have no doubt that this new hybrid will be a smashing success. Not a surprise considering it's a Honda.

Keith,

My Ridgeline has been wildly successful for me.

keith, i would take exception that the ridgeline is not a success. Yes, its not selling great, but, its the highest scoring truck with a score of 79 according to CR. Its not honda's fault that the redneck in texas will buy a f150 no matter how bad it is.

also have to agree with jack. Honda is the best car company in the world. The facts prove it. Highest scores on CR annual issue, sales, (barely off from last year) with a horrible ecomony, and the fact that toyota has some problems. Im sure i will get die hard domestic car owners that will argue with me (the few that are left), but the facts dont lie, and honda is for now at least the best. If gm would have made the FCX, everyone would be saying how great they are, but because its honda its no big deal.

J,
The link above at the end of the posting, which I had trouble connecting with earlier, has a story that says the new Honda will use Integrated Motor Assist. We'll have to wait to see if it can go on electric only - earlier versions of that system did not allow that. IMO a regular Civic five speed and a little hypermiling might make more financial sense than buying the smaller hybrid.
To the Ridgeline drivers above, what kind of highway mileage are you getting? My neighbor has one and it's a great vehicle but he complains about never breaking 18 mpg even on the highway.

I'm a life-long customer of GM and have been content with most of my ownership experiences. This past Spring my wife and I decided to replace our Grand Prix with a Honda Accord. Sure we looked at the Malibu and Impala but when it came down to it the wife wanted the Accord. She said it looked, drove, and felt to be the better car. This is the first car we've ever owned were we didn't have to go back to the dealer within the first five months of ownership. I'm starting to see why Honda owners are said to be loyal.

Red,

I just got back from a road trip this week actually. I kept the speed at no more than 70 and returned 22.3, 24.7, 23.1 and 21.4 MPG at 4 different gas stops along the highway. Stops were at the same stations on the way up and back on the trip. In town I'm getting 18.5.

Not sure why your friend can't break 18 MPG. I suspect his driving habits. I'm pretty sure you can make any vehicle achieve poor MPG results if you try to drive it heavy footed.

That sounds right. Thanks...

Trevor -
You may never see a dealership during the entire time you own your honda.

to clarify this new Honda hybrid is not the Hybrid Fit or the Hybrid sports car or the Hybrid civic. It's an all new vehicle.

Nameless,
Try 60, you'll see higher numbers than any of the above.

FYI, there's a photo of the new Honda Hybrid on Edmunds.com. It's a direct clone of the Prius - same unusual roofline, chopped off rear end and hatchback configuration. Pricing is supposed to match up with the Prius too, but if they use Integrated Motor Assist as reported, Prius will likely keep its MPG crown.

The Prius must be on the small side of midsized because it doesn't feel much bigger than early Dodge Stratus I use to drive and I sat in it for extended period trips.