If Toyota released a 4cyl HEV, w/the same towing/price as the current 4cyl, would you consider it?

I think it is in the realm of possibility for Toyota to introduce a 4cyl HEV.

I have seen a few people w/the Rav4 EV around my area, but they are pricey, around 50k if google is correct. The Rav4 Hybrid is around 28k...Which is why I brought up price being the same....(which we know wont happen, but for the sake of discussion lets just assume.)

If they kept the price and towing the same as the current 4cyl with a bump up in MPG, would you buy it, consider it or would you flat out say no to the thought of it? And why?

 

I say yes based on the condition of your question "same price." I would still consider it with a slight premium in cost. Like $2K.

However, would that amount be "reasonable" in the marketplace for truck buyers? I would think a HEV would cost $8-$10K more (hybrid and not full EV). And that would change my vote to No.

 

I think 8-10k is way too much but a 2k increase would be reasonable. Of course once you start adding packages, 2k more could be the breaking point.

 

Never

Although straight electric would have massive instant torque on demand, a hev would just get broken when used outside the confines of the city, and in all honesty the current 4cyl is a super solid engine, that gets great mpg or what it is.

 

I thought about a straight EV tacoma but that would only be useful for trucks that stay around town. A lot of people drive less than 100 mile a day and that may work for them depending on how the battery handles towing/hauling (if they actually do that). but EVs fail for any longer days/trips where you don't have ready access to charging stations, not to mention the price (even with incentives) would probably be a pretty penny.

However, used EV vehicles are a hell of a deal. they drop price when they get older because of the unknown battery life remaining. lets say you buy a used EV for 10k and drive it till it starts to fail. A new battery will probably be in the 3-5k range, and that will pretty much make it run like new. and you can get the tax incentive for installing a charging station at your place on used EV purchases IIRC.

so a used EV tacoma, depending on what the price is and how much replacement batteries cost, may be a good deal in the long run if they ever come out.

 

I personally wouldn't buy a hybrid because I don't have superb confidence in the HEV battery's longevity. In another 10-15 years, I'll probably look into buy an electric vehicle. I just don't trust the technology yet.

 

one thing with HEV is you have the problems of both gas and electric engines, so maintenance can get up there if you keep it for a long time.

Toyota does offer an 8 year warranty on their hybrid components so if they did release a HEV tacoma I am assuming it would have the 8 year 100k hybrid component warranty.

then they have their normal 36k/3 year bumper to bumper and 60k/5year power train stuff.

w/their 4cyl longevity and the 8year/100k warranty I would have peace of mind. But once it's time to replace things outside of warranty, things could get pricey.

but that is a good concern (I am not knocking it)