Toyota Hybrids reassuredly keep their second-hand values well. Due to a number of advantages, including cheap operating costs, affordable maintenance, and extensive battery warranties for hybrid vehicles, residual values are typically 4% greater than those of conventional vehicles.
Toyota Hybrids offer class-leading CO2 emissions while also saving money and fuel by seamlessly converting between pure electric power and effective gasoline power. Because of this, hybrid cars are eligible for a variety of government incentives, such as reduced parking fees and access to low-emission zones, ensuring that even after 4-5 years of use, resale values are still high.
Do you still have concerns about how much used hybrids are worth? Pick out the answers to some more frequently asked hybrid questions below, or use our selection to find the ideal hybrid for you.
In This Article...
Which hybrid has the best resale potential?
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime occupies the top position on the podium for resale value leaders. The 2020 Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid that can travel 25 miles on electricity alone, giving it bragging rights in many alluring locations.
Are hybrids less valuable when sold?
An automobile with a normal engine should have a lower resale value than a hybrid because of the greater beginning price and approximately comparable rate of depreciation. When determining whether or not it makes sense to purchase a hybrid, this is a crucial issue that is frequently missed.
Do hybrids continue to be valuable?
According to the study, 2017 hybrid vehicles lost an average of 50.9 percent of their value compared to non-hybrid vehicles, which lost 53.4 percent. The study included model-year 20132017 automobiles with 100,000 miles or more. The study found that the depreciation rates for the identical model’s gas and hybrid variants were considerably dissimilar for model year 2013.
Toyota models outperformed their gas-powered counterparts in Autolist’s analysis of data points for more than 95 million vehicles, exhibiting a very high level of depreciation resistance. There were noticeable differences in depreciation rates between hybrid variants of the Camry sedan and Highlander SUV compared to non-hybrid counterparts.
According to research, the gas version of the 2013 Camry depreciates by 44 percent at 100,000 miles compared to the hybrid model, which depreciates by 61 percent. However, if you jump to model year 2017, it’s negative 50.2 percent for the hybrid and negative 50.7 percent for the gas. Similar to how the 2013 Highlander’s depreciation is negative 36.9 percent for the gas version and minus 45.5 percent for the hybrid, the difference is now minus 29.8 percent for the hybrid and minus 34.9 percent for the gas version in 2017.
The study’s depreciation rates, according to Alex Klein, Vice President of Data Science at Autolist, are based on historical and actual data for the vehicles. The corporation has a forecasted depreciation curve based on that information, which forecasters modify as more data become available and the model gets older.
Why is there a smaller gap now? The advancement of technology, according to Klein, is one factor.
According to Klein, the value proposition of better mpg is further enhanced by the fact that hybrid technology is still improving.
Second, customers’ concerns that the additional technology would somehow be harmful have been allayed now that hybrids have been around longer and exhibit, in many cases, a similar level of reliability.
He continued that it also has to do with the growing appeal of electric and hybrid vehicles. “In my opinion, you cannot ignore how consumers’ attitudes are changing in favor of electrification and cutting-edge technology (e.g., autonomy). People tend to appreciate something more if it feels like future technologyjust look at Tesla.
The hybrid vehicle’s price premium and historically low gas costs make it a difficult case for buyers searching for a financial incentive to go green with a hybrid. But hybrids can end up being the better investment if they are keeping their value better than non-hybrid vehicles.
Can you resale hybrids more easily?
Owners of earlier electric vehicle models are currently in a difficult situation. The cost of batteries is decreasing as advances in battery technology for EVs and hybrids are produced. The price of electric automobiles is decreasing overall since the batteries in these cars account for more than half of their value.
Older EV cars’ resale value is declining as EV batteries get better in current and upcoming models. Older electric vehicle models are more difficult to sell since their batteries are of inferior quality and have shorter life expectancies. In actuality, less than 40% of the original value of these older EVs and hybrids may be obtained through resale.
Is it worthwhile to purchase a used hybrid vehicle?
Many owners are avoiding diesels and opting for greener options due to air quality concerns and testing regime anxiety. Although little petrol turbos are popular, there’s no denying that hybrids are a powerful force that is becoming more and more important as manufacturers are under pressure to offer vehicles with higher efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.
It’s also not an entirely new phenomenon. Both plug-in and gasoline/electric hybrid vehicles have increased in market share over the previous 12 months, but these vehicles have been available for a long time. Since the launch of the Mk4 Toyota Prius in the UK in 2000, it is safe to state that hybrid technology has shown to be dependable. Although some manufacturers have lagged behind, the used market still offers a wide variety of possibilities. Should you thus think about one for your next motor?
Best hybrid vehicles available now
Although hybrid technology has shown to be reliable and profitable, the drivetrain’s perceived added expense and complexity continue to deter many potential purchasers. They presume that low reliability is likely, while Toyota contends that the contrary is actually true. No clutch, traditional starting motor, alternator, or drivebelt are present, and it is claimed that the hybrid system increases the longevity of brake discs, brake pads, and tire tread.
Does the hybrid Toyota RAV4 retain its value?
The depreciation rate of the Toyota RAV4 is neither exceptionally high nor low. The Toyota Tacoma outperforms market outliers like the RAV4 in terms of value retention, nevertheless.
A 2017 Toyota RAV4 with under 69,000 kilometers has a fair market value of $20,737, according to Kelley Blue Book. The MSRP of the compact SUV is roughly $26,700. Over the past five years, the RAV4 has lost at least 23 percent of its value. As soon as a new SUV leaves the dealership, it loses a significant portion of its value.
What hybrid car is the most reliable?
The ten most dependable hybrid and electric vehicles
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV reliability rating (2014-present): 97.8%
- Corolla, Toyota (2018-present)
- Kona Electric Hyundai (2018-present)
- Toyota RX (2016-present)
- Honda CR-V (2019-present)
- Toyota NX (2014-present)
- Model 3 Tesla (2019-present)
- Hybrid Toyota Yaris (2011-2020)
How long do batteries in hybrid cars last?
How long do hybrid batteries actually last as you relax in your hybrid while listening to the buzz of your engine?
A hybrid battery has a different lifespan than a car battery, which you may already be aware of. Read on to find out how long your hybrid battery should last and what you can do to prolong it.
How Long Do Hybrid Batteries Last?
You will save tens of thousands of dollars annually on fuel thanks to a hybrid battery. Others rush to fill up at the petrol stations. You use the garage outlet to charge your car and go to the gas stations half as often as your neighbor.
However, you will eventually need to pay money to either fix or replace the pricey hybrid battery that has been so helpful to you for thousands of miles.
The majority of hybrid vehicle producers claim that a battery will last 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. However, hybrid owners have reported that some batteries live up to 150,000 miles and even up to 200,000 miles with the proper maintenance and fundamental vehicle repairs.
An owner typically keeps a hybrid vehicle for 5 to 15 years when the battery mileage is high.
What Affects Your Hybrid Battery Life?
How frequently you drive your automobile directly affects the battery’s longevity. For instance, if you drive for Uber or Lyft, you probably log several hundred miles in your car each week. The same holds true if you work as a salesperson or are a road warrior who uses their automobile as their office.
Compare a salesperson who logs 100 miles per day in his automobile to a person who commutes 20 miles per day. A long commuter won’t put as much strain on a hybrid battery as a road warrior. The battery will age more quickly if it does more cycles in a shorter period of time.
Your battery will appear to last considerably longer if you merely cycle it a few times per day while you commute.
Age Matters
In as little as five years from the time you first bought the battery new, you could need to replace your hybrid battery. The length of time, though, mostly relies on how you utilize your car.
In as little as five years, the battery in a car that is used often on lengthy trips will need to be replaced. However, if you use your car exclusively and don’t frequently take it on lengthy drives, your battery may endure for 10 or 11 years.
Milage Matters
It’s only a number, age. Battery life depends on both age and the number of miles you put on it.
In principle, a battery in a 2005 Prius with 150,000 miles will be better than one in a 2011 Prius with the same amount of miles. The 2011 automobile has completed more cycles in a shorter amount of time. This indicates that the 2011 Prius has experienced faster, more intensive cycling.
Because the 2011 Prius was driven more vigorously than the 2005 Prius, its battery has suffered more damage.
Is Your Battery Balanced?
Several factors can cause hybrid batteries to malfunction. They frequently fail because the equilibrium of particular cells with other cells is off.
For instance, a standard Toyota Prius from the 20-series has 28 separate cells that have about 6500 mAh. Over time, the battery’s capacity will decrease to as little as 1500 mAh.
However, the disintegration may not always occur equally. Some batteries can go as low as 1500 mAh, while others can still reach 5000 mAh.
The hybrid battery will wear out more quickly if you have unbalanced cells than if you have a battery with balanced cells.
Do You Service Your Hybrid?
In hybrid automobiles, an electric battery and a gasoline engine are two separate power systems that cooperate with one another. Your engine will consume more fuel than necessary if it is not operating efficiently. You’ll get better fuel economy.
If your engine isn’t working properly, your hybrid battery will have to put in more effort. As a result, if you don’t give your engine routine maintenance, your hybrid battery will wear out sooner.
Ironically, you could be tempted to forgo routine maintenance on a car like a Prius because its mechanical condition is normally rather good. After all, the engine will sound nice and appear to not require routine maintenance from a mechanic.
But as a result, your Prius battery can degrade more quickly. Your battery will last longer if you place your automobile on a regular maintenance schedule.
You should have your automobile serviced every 5,000 miles if you use it for business purposes, such as driving for Uber, or if you frequently travel great distances for work. Have your car serviced every 6,200 miles if you only use it for short commutes.
According to Toyota, a hybrid battery will last for roughly 8 years. The battery’s lifespan will most likely depend on how you treat your car.
You could be deterred from sending your automobile to the mechanic on a regular basis by the cost of routine maintenance. Consider the price of a new battery, though. This should motivate you to frequently invest a few dollars on maintenance in order to extend the lifespan of your hybrid battery.
Consider getting your battery refurbished and rebalanced from the start if you’re going to buy a secondhand hybrid. Giving a hybrid battery a proactive reconditioning and rebalancing will ensure the longest life possible.
Recharge Responsibly
Your hybrid battery’s lifespan is also impacted by how quickly you recharge it. A hybrid battery will degrade more quickly the more you recharge it. On the other hand, your battery depletes more quickly the more you drive.
The manufacturer’s recommended charge time should be followed. Never charge less or more than what the automaker suggests.
Think of your car’s battery as being similar to your phone’s. When you originally bought it, it operated perfectly, keeping a charge for more than a day. By mid-afternoon, you must plug it in because the battery is running out of power.
The battery on your car is no different. It will lose charge over time and require extra charging. Charge it only as much as necessary, though, to make the most of what you already have.
Weather Matters
A hybrid battery’s longevity is significantly impacted by extreme cold and heat.
Owners have found that hybrid engines perform less effectively in cold temperatures than they do in settings that are more comfortable. If you reside in a chilly area, you are aware of the necessity of starting your car to warm it up before leaving on a trip. Car owners often let their vehicles run for 15 to 20 minutes before pulling them out of the driveway in really cold conditions.
In bitterly cold temperatures, it takes a while for hybrid engines to warm up. However, an early start will merely warm up the gas engine. On very chilly mornings, hybrid owners claim that it takes them longer to warm up their vehicles than the average motorist.
Even then, the engine often operates below its optimal fuel efficiency once the automobile is ready to move.
Hybrids generally struggle in the snow and ice. Snow calls for a vehicle that is heavier and has more rolling resistance than a typical hybrid tire.
Because of this, a hybrid needs to work more to go through snow, and its owner will need to fill the tank more frequently.
Additionally, to keep the roads dry and clear in a snowy environment, road workers utilize snow-clearing chemicals. These substances will accumulate on the car’s exterior and may clog the grill. Due to the engine’s reduced ability to breathe, the hybrid once more experiences low fuel efficiency.
Your battery won’t freeze even if you live in a very cold climate. Your battery might not last as long as it would if you lived somewhere with a constant temperature, though.
At 110 degrees, a hybrid battery can start to lose its effectiveness. Ensure the ventilation of your hybrid battery. Some hybrid vehicles include batteries underneath the passenger seat; as a result, the ventilation system in the vehicle keeps the battery aired.
As a result, you must always ensure that your car has a clean air filter.
How to Extend Your Hybrid Battery Life
While a battery typically lasts 8 years, some batteries can last up to and even past 10 years. The lifespan of your battery could easily be impacted by how you handle it.
Maintain a Schedule
Regular non-hybrid cars require the same amount of maintenance as hybrid vehicles. So follow the same maintenance regimen for your hybrid as you would for a non-hybrid vehicle.
When a car seems to work smoothly or when money is a little tight for a month, owners are more likely to ignore a maintenance schedule.
Don’t skip out on routine maintenance. A hybrid battery replacement might cost between $1,000 and $6,000. Compared to a routine maintenance visit for your hybrid, this costs a lot more.
Have your battery evaluated once it has been in your car for more than 80,000 miles or 8 years. then make a plan to bring your car in for a regular battery checkup once every 12 months.
Keep the Battery Cool
In order to keep your hybrid’s battery cool, you should have an auxiliary battery system. Regularly clean this auxiliary fan. The fan blades normally have an oily coating, and dust adheres to the oil. Dust will build up as a result, obstructing the airflow to your battery.
A battery’s life is reduced if it is warm as opposed to cool. To extend the life of your batteries, keep your auxiliary fan clean.
Screen Your Battery
Your petrol engine will operate more smoothly if you maintain your car regularly, which relieves pressure on the electrical battery. Have the service center routinely examine the condition of your hybrid battery as well to maintain your battery.
A hybrid auto repair business with competence in reconditioning batteries can restore poor cells to over 97 percent of their original strength. You can save thousands of dollars on a new battery with a simple reconditioning.
But you’ve waited too long if you waited until the check engine light came on. Do not hold off until the dashboard illuminates. Today, bring your automobile in for an inspection.
Why Do Some Batteries Last Longer?
There is a reason why your neighbor’s hybrid battery usually lasts years longer than yours, in case you’ve ever wondered why. Simply said, some batteries are better manufactured than others. Some individuals do, however, simply understand how to extend the life of a battery.
Auxiliary Fan System
Your battery’s temperature plays a role in preserving its life. The battery will stay cool if the auxiliary fan system is effective. In order to protect the battery from overheating, it sprays fresh air over it.
Battery Detection Software
Software created by some manufacturers can indicate that a battery is low even if it has not yet reached zero. There, according to manufacturers, is the optimum range for battery recharge capacity. You have found the sweet spot if you do not allow the charge to fall below 20 percent or rise above 80 percent.
Any percentage below 20% is too low, and any percentage beyond 80% is too high. Therefore, businesses have developed software to alert you to recharge your battery as it approaches 20% so you do not let it fall below that level. The same software will inform you when your battery reaches 80 percent that it is fully charged.
What About a Prius Battery Life?
One of the best examples of how hybrid vehicles function is the Toyota Prius. According to Toyota, the battery should last the entire life of the vehicle. Whatever the case, it ought to last for more than 150,000 miles or ten years.
The best part is that when you change a Prius battery, you have choices. You can choose from reconditioned batteries instead of having to budget $4,000 for a brand-new battery.
The Longest Lasting Battery
How long do hybrid batteries last? can be answered at this point. The best part is that you know what to do to extend the life of your battery to its maximum potential.
Make an appointment with us or simply look at our services if you need a mechanic who can maintain and service your hybrid.
High Voltage system repair costs may be more expensive.
Although hybrid cars may need less frequent maintenance, they can be expensive to repair when something goes wrong, especially if the high voltage system is involved. Depending on the battery type and the precise make and model of your vehicle, replacing a dead or damaged high voltage battery could cost thousands of dollars.
Hybrid vehicles are loaded with complicated parts in addition to the usual technology found in ICE vehicles, including massive high voltage battery packs, inverters, electric motors, and enhanced cooling systems. Hybrid repairs can be more expensive because of these intricate mechanisms, and not all mechanics have the tools and expertise to fix them correctly.
Fortunately, Firestone Complete Auto Care mechanics are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out everything from routine maintenance on hybrid cars to repairs to high voltage systems. Today, give your neighborhood Firestone Complete Auto Care a call to see if they provide these high voltage system repairs.
They may have a higher upfront cost.
You might have to pay more up front when converting to a hybrid car. Despite a decreasing sales price range, these vehicles frequently continue to be more expensive than ICE-only equivalents. Fortunately, you might be able to use tax breaks, government incentives, cheaper operational costs, and fuel savings to offset this upfront investment.