Analysis paralysis - to hybrid or not???

Getting back into a Taco, I went into my dealer to put a deposit down on a taco that’s in production and due at the end of the month. It’s a TRD Off-road in Terra with a sunroof and the upgrade package. While there, they let me know they have that same truck in Underground but it’s a hybrid. Sure, let’s take a look.

The build / package is exactly what I want, so of course, they go to work to try to get me to buy the hybrid on the lot. Ultimately, I bit on the hybrid as the deal seemed great, about 10% under MSRP which is $1000 under invoice. So, I gave them a deposit to hold the deal while I wait for an insurance payout sometime this week.

In the meantime, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of YT and have circled back around to the fact that I don’t need the hybrid. I only tow a teardrop camper, dirt bike and mountain bikes, kids are all grown and I *might* miss the under-seat storage. The difference in price will be about $2,000 because of the discount on the hybrid.

Is it worth it for the hybrid? It’ll be primarily used to commute to my office job and play on the weekends. I average about 25-30k miles per year. I’ll put a backflip MX4 cover on and keep most of my MTB stuff in the bed anyway.

WWYD??

 

At the end of the day it all comes down to can you afford the extra upfront cost of the hybrid. For me buying a $50k+ truck. That answer was a no. I hope you can afford it, get it and enjoy the extra power and goodies that come with the hybrid. But on the other hand if you cannot, i think you will be more than happy with the non-hybrid.

 

Care to list the MSRP? I am looking at what appears to be a similar looking build at a few dealerships in PA and MD and the best they will do is about 6.5% off sticker.

Thanks!

 

I can't help with making a decision, ive always felt less is more...
$$$$, how much of a discount were they offering on the other truck thats in allocation?
Just a few months back, I was able to get only $3500'ish discounts on allocated vehicles vs $5000+ on in stock trucks.

 

I had gotten the sport non hybrid as my truck was going to be 8 months before I got it and needed a new ride, all I can say is the hybrid model power drivability ETC are all better for me at least. but do whatever suits your needs man and enjoy either of them are great choices.

 

The extra cost isn’t enough of a factor, really. It took me several trips to the dealer to wrap my head around the cost of these trucks, not just from Toyota, but all of the midsize mfgrs. At the end of the day, the difference is $51.6 for non-hybrid and $53.7 for the hybrid.

 

xx

 

I’d calculate the cost of fuel for 30K miles each year between the hybrid and non-hybrid trucks, because to me this is a math question. Each of the trucks are equipped similarly and will perform the tasks that you need to do. Fund your IRA, upgrade your MTB, or just go wild on hookers and blow with the extra money.

 

You made me do the actual math vs cowboy math… it’s actually 7.6% off of MSRP, which equates to $1,000 under invoice based on the invoice sheet they slipped up and let me see, which I promptly took a picture of when the guy walked away for a minute.

MSRP of $58,147
Selling price of $53,700
Invoice of $54,790

They’re going to make ~$2300 profit on the front end of the deal based on holdback and finance reserve, so it’s not a bad deal for them, even at $1k under invoice.

Here is another question that I have rolling around… is the maintenance on a Hybrid truck any more than non-hybrid? Brakes, tires, oil changes, etc…?

 

Both trucks similarly equipped except the allocated truck doesn’t have the red ARB tow hooks. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a cool upgrade but those aren’t driving any part of the decision.

The allocated truck is already discounted $1,515 on their website making it $51,789 - exactly $2k cheaper than the hybrid selling price.

 

Looks like you have a great dealership that isn't playing games.................

Youre obviously older like me....
If youre keeping this truck forever....
If things do go south & repairs need to be performed, hybrids are more labor intensive to work on so more out of pocket to repair.
more stuff piled on in the engine bay that need to be removed in-order to access stuff....
A more costly transmission if you need to replace one, along with additional labor as more work involved to get it in & out, transfer parts, etc...

 

Most Hybrids are actually better with brakes than regular vehicles since they use regenerative breaking. Other maintenance is similar except hybrid usually have an air filter for the battery. I would go hybrid if you plan on keeping for 8 years or so but if you are one of those who drive until the wheels fall off you will be looking at a battery replacement at some point. Their warranty for batteries are 10 years or 150,000 miles.

 

Older… yeah. I’m trying like hell not to let the old man in but that f’r is fighting hard. That’s good intel. I think I will take a ride up to the service dept this morning and talk to one of the service reps about maintenance costs, etc. That may be the best factor used in making my decision.

I do have a great dealer here. Fair pricing with no B.S. add-ons or dealer fees, just negotiated price of truck + TTT to get out the door.

 

I would buy the color you really want.

 

i waited to get the hybrid. no regrets! all the power! after 5 months and 7k i would get another hybrid if mine got totaled.

 

I drove both. I loved the new powerplants with enhanced low end torque and power delivery. I really wanted the electric motor component in the drivetrain. I have had a number of hybrids, they always stood out for that additional low end torque and 0-40 MPH acceleration. I also like electric golf carts, so that might explain the bias. 0-60 MPH times are not much better (due to the additional battery weight) but it does feel better.

I did not get to drive either version up a hill during my comparison drives. I can tell you with my purchased version, the electric motor adding torque there is a world of difference from my prior 2021 on a hill I drive regularly... no hesitation and no trying to compensate for improper gear or lack of torque that I had with the 2021--even with ECT engaged.

I agree, the lack of upward folding rear seat bottoms and storage is an issue. My other issue is that Toyota really needed to offer a software switch that would truly optimize economy as much as possible with the hybrid setting. Maybe it is impossible with a heavy truck, but the contrasting example of the Ford Maverick (yeah, not as heavy and not 4x4) is one that makes me think "economy" could at least squeeze 26 MPG out of the Tacoma. As it stands, I am getting 21.6 MPG regardless of whether I use economy or normal drive modes (on dash average and hand calculated).

Either choice is good, but don't get me started on the all inclusive option packs!

 

Obviously you are going with a 5-ft bed, which makes the hybrid a non-starter for people like me. Having owned Toyota hybrids, the hybrid Tacoma wont cost you extra in repairs. It also wont give you appreciably better mileage: every single review of the iForce Max setup has noted the less-than-expected fuel efficiency. So, it mainly comes down to power delivery.

 

I have one a limited and I love mine it’s only got ~670mi so far but I am glad I got the hybrid.

 

If they had offered the hybrid with a 6' bed, I would have waited and purchased the hybrid simply for the added torque, and how that changes the driving experience. And if your delta cost is only $2k, I would have jumped at that deal. But... no hybrid for 6' beds (except for TH trim) makes it a non-starter for me, but still pleased with my non-hybrid truck overall.

We have a Highlander hybrid, and the torque delivery reminds me of a small diesel when driving, and especially on road trips. It effortlessly goes up passes without any fuss or excessive revving. Love that and really wanted a similar experience with my truck. But I need, and use the 6' bed too often to sacrifice that for the 5' bed.

I'm not a fan of the underground color, so that might have actually worked against my decision to get the hybrid to be honest in your specific situation. Lots of folks love it, but its not for me. I like white and silver.

My underseat storage items could have easily gone into a small storage tote on the floor of the backseat, right behind the center console in front of the middle of the back seat. The usefulness of the underseat space isn't as great as some other trucks I've owned. On the pass side, a big part is blocked off for electronics, even in the non-hybrid models. The transmission tunnel takes up some of the space under the middle portion of the seat, so the only spot that I really use regularly is the space under the back seat on the drivers side. I could live without that for the hybrid's torque.

You asked about added maintenance - so far, on our hybrid Highlander, it hasn't cost us anything extra. I suppose the big expense would be a battery pack replacement sometime in the far off future. Otherwise, we just have normal expenses like a non-hybrid as far as service appointments.

My 2 cents

 

The real question is do you want an extra 150 lbft of torque at 0 extra RPM?

It feels amazing. I've got so much power whenever I want it. zero hesitation.

It gets slightly better mpg around town but thats not why anyone buys it. You get it for the power.

For me it was worth it and if I didnt get the TH I would have gotten an offroad hybrid.