Retiree considers hybrid sedan for active lifestyle
This month’s Dear John letter writer, John Woodsmith from Burlington, Ont., is well aware of the decreasing costs of owning a hybrid. John first looked at purchasing a hybrid sedan five years ago, but the least expensive offering was the 2008 Toyota Camry, starting at $32,000. Instead, he bought a thennew, four-cylinder Camry. But now John again has his eye on a hybrid.
John has been very clear about what he does and doesn’t want from his new hybrid sedan. As a retired high school teacher, John spends his active retirement volunteering as a hockey coach in the winter and golfing in the summer. Weekends are spent at a family cottage, north of Toronto. In total, John says he drives about 24,000 kilometres a year.
Alphabetically, my first hybrid sedan candidate is the new-for-2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan.
My second recommendation is a Hyundai. Although it shares the same gas-electric hybrid system as its Kia Optima platform-mate, the base-model 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sedan starts at $2,000 less than the Kia’s $29,995 asking price.
My last hybrid sedan candidate is the 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Compared to the 2008 model John looked at five years ago, the current version is a second-generation model, which, along with the rest of the gas-only models, received a thorough refresh for 2012.
The first to be dropped from my list is the Hyundai hybrid. Although its $27,999 asking price is competitive, the Sonata gets demerit points for the least amount of trunk space (10.7 cubic feet compared to the leading Camry’s 13). The Sonata’s grabby brakes and non-linear throttle response makes it the least refined to drive.
If all you were interested in, John, was excellent fuel economy, go get the Fusion. With a 4.0 L/100 km city and 4.1 highway estimates, the Ford hybrid is the most parsimonious here. Unfortunately, the Fusion Hybrid’s $29,999 starting price means you’d have to drive more than normal to see those savings.
So, John, that leaves you with the hybrid sedan — or at least its modern equivalent — you originally wanted: the 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Starting at $27,710, the Toyota is the least expensive car to purchase of this trio, offers excellent fuel economy (4.5 L/100 km city; 4.9 hwy.), a comfortable rear seat and the largest trunk.