Is a Hybrid right for you?
I have an 09 w/3000 miles. I get 39to 41 MPG. No problems yet. 20 gal gas tank gets me 700+ miles. Lead footing gets 32 MPG. Car has 220 HP and can go FAST, but costs GAS. Have to use design features to get MPG. Start out gently, use elect motor to get slowly up to 40 MPH, gas engine then starts and you accelerate gently up to highway speed. At 80 MPH it gets about 36 MPG steady state. For some reason it gets less mileage at 65. BUT, you have to accelerate slowly up to speed to get mileage. The eCVT trans stays locked in high gear at higher speeds, but revs more at lower speeds, especially going up highway hills, unless you let up a bit. It has to do with the available power the engine makes at higher speeds, which keeps it in a higher "gear" going up hills. The computer won't let you lug the engine, and tells the tranny to gear down if you do, hence the revving people talk about. Just let up on the gas a bit and it will lock into high again. The car is very aerodynamically slippery at speed too. I love it, and wouldn't trade it for any other hybrid. You have to get a feel for how it works and take advantage of its strengths. I learned how to drive it by watching the handy mileage meter, and did what got the best mileage. Fast starts from a stop using the gas engine kills mileage badly. It has electric steering which works great, and electric AC which will freeze you out if you want. The heater will roast you if you want. It has climate control, but you can over ride it and set it manually to be more efficient in both heating and cooling. The car handles like my old 86 300ZX, but if you push it hard it loses the rear end first, or oversteers. The brakes are fantastic. They generate electricity while you stop during the first inch of brake pedal travel, about 50 HP worth, and after that they stop with great power. It needs the antilock brakes in the hands of an inexperienced driver. The tires are kept at 35 PSI and the ride is a bit rougher because of this but not objectionable. Alas, the trunk is small. I can fit one big bag and a few small ones and thats all. The interior is ten times better than any other hybrid. There is EXCELLENT front AND rear legroom, even with the front seat all the way back. Side elbow and hip room is the widest in its class. The seats are WIDE AND comfortable. The complete side air bag package is comforting. Entry/exit ease is GREAT. The center armrest storage has two levels that operate with two different paddles. The armrest top slides forward so it supports your wrist better. Nice touch. It has excellent cup holders that hide away. The drivers window has power down lock and power up lock as well, and stops if you are foolish enough to get your hand caught in it and goes back down. Again, nice. I am not particularly enamored with the windshield wiper blade size and design, but it works, and the controls are well thought out. The car uses an inverter to manage the battery power, and it has its own liquid cooling radiator to dissapate heat. Well thought out. There are excellent design features everywhere in the mechanical systems. The lighting in the ceiling above the driver could be better, because it shines too much in your eyes if you use it at night, so don't turn it on while driving. Thats about it. I have the base model Hybrid, and I love it! The dealer, BERTERA NISSAN in Auburn, MA was EXCELLENT to deal with.
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