I just put in an order for my2015 Hybrid earlier this week and already find myself having to explain to people why I decided to go with the Hybrid over the gas model. I put the following together to explain it and though that other people here might find it interesting (or people considering a purchase might stumble upon this).
A few notes before I jump into things...
[list type=decimal]
[li]Everything that follows is based on the 2015 models.[/li]
[li]The price differences will definitely vary from person to person. The figure I gave was the price after adding all the accessories I wanted, and after some dealer negotiation, but before all the taxes, tags, and fees. The exclusion of taxes, tags, and fees should make this rationale somewhat portable from person to person I think. You may have to do your own analysis on how much you think you'll save on gas too. [/li]
[li]Lastly, this is why I chose the hybrid. You might feel differently about some things. For example, the only negative I listed was the lack of spare tire. I didn't list things like the lack of optional EyeSight, the fact that it's not technically rated for towing, etc. because those things don't bother me. The only thing I considered a real legitimate negative was the spare tire. Maybe those other things might factor into your equation though. Similarly, maybe you don't want the green color so that's not a benefit in your equation... or maybe the color you want doesn't even come in the Hybrid so it is a negative. So what I'm saying is... take everything with a small grain of salt.[/li]
[/list]
Ok so here it is...
(I tried to format this in a somewhat readable manner)
Why I Chose the Crosstrek Hybrid over the Gas Model
How much more does the Hybrid cost?
The “2.0i Hybrid” model costs $2700 more than the most equivalently equipped gas model, the “2.0i Premium w/ CVT (automatic transmission)”
After running several different scenarios involving gas prices, total mileage, and city/highway splits, I have concluded that $700 is a fairly conservative guess for how much I might save in gas over the 8-10 years I plan to own the vehicle.
That leaves $2000 as the real “cost” of the hybrid.
The purchase price for my Hybrid with all of the options I selected was $26,628, so an equivalently optioned 2.0i Premium w/ CVT model would be assumed to cost $24,628. And 2000/24628=8.1% so I paid 8.1% more to have the Hybrid
What does that $2000 (8.1%) buy me?
Note that because the fuel efficiency has already been factored in at this point, I can’t consider it as a benefit.
~10% Increase In Performance
8.1% More Power (and at lower RPM too) – 160 hp @ 6,000 rpm vs. 148 hp @ 6,200 rpm
12.4% More Torque (and at lower RPM too) – 163 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm vs. 145 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm
Better Handling (in snow and in general) – Due to re-engineered chassis
Better Sound Isolation – Due to re-engineered chassis
Safer
“Front Driver” and “Front Passenger” crash test scores are both 5 vs 4 on gas models
More Standard Features*
The “2.0i Premium w/ CVT” model does not come with Keyless Access, Push-button Start, Automatic Climate Control, Auto on/off headlights, Folding Rear Seat armrest w/ cupholders.
*Note that these are all standard on the “2.0i Limited” (gas) model (except Keyless Access, which is an option), but we are comparing to the “2.0i Premium Model.” If I wanted to compare against the “2.0i Limited” model, then I would remove this item from the benefit. In that case, I would be paying only paying $1200 (4.7%) more for all of the other benefits listed here.
Updated Styling & Exclusive Green Color
Turn signals on mirrors (*see note above for this item too), chrome accent on door handles, LED taillights, exclusive green color.
What do I lose?
Spare Tire
A few notes before I jump into things...
[list type=decimal]
[li]Everything that follows is based on the 2015 models.[/li]
[li]The price differences will definitely vary from person to person. The figure I gave was the price after adding all the accessories I wanted, and after some dealer negotiation, but before all the taxes, tags, and fees. The exclusion of taxes, tags, and fees should make this rationale somewhat portable from person to person I think. You may have to do your own analysis on how much you think you'll save on gas too. [/li]
[li]Lastly, this is why I chose the hybrid. You might feel differently about some things. For example, the only negative I listed was the lack of spare tire. I didn't list things like the lack of optional EyeSight, the fact that it's not technically rated for towing, etc. because those things don't bother me. The only thing I considered a real legitimate negative was the spare tire. Maybe those other things might factor into your equation though. Similarly, maybe you don't want the green color so that's not a benefit in your equation... or maybe the color you want doesn't even come in the Hybrid so it is a negative. So what I'm saying is... take everything with a small grain of salt.[/li]
[/list]
Ok so here it is...
(I tried to format this in a somewhat readable manner)
Why I Chose the Crosstrek Hybrid over the Gas Model
How much more does the Hybrid cost?
The “2.0i Hybrid” model costs $2700 more than the most equivalently equipped gas model, the “2.0i Premium w/ CVT (automatic transmission)”
After running several different scenarios involving gas prices, total mileage, and city/highway splits, I have concluded that $700 is a fairly conservative guess for how much I might save in gas over the 8-10 years I plan to own the vehicle.
That leaves $2000 as the real “cost” of the hybrid.
The purchase price for my Hybrid with all of the options I selected was $26,628, so an equivalently optioned 2.0i Premium w/ CVT model would be assumed to cost $24,628. And 2000/24628=8.1% so I paid 8.1% more to have the Hybrid
What does that $2000 (8.1%) buy me?
Note that because the fuel efficiency has already been factored in at this point, I can’t consider it as a benefit.
~10% Increase In Performance
8.1% More Power (and at lower RPM too) – 160 hp @ 6,000 rpm vs. 148 hp @ 6,200 rpm
12.4% More Torque (and at lower RPM too) – 163 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm vs. 145 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm
Better Handling (in snow and in general) – Due to re-engineered chassis
Better Sound Isolation – Due to re-engineered chassis
Safer
“Front Driver” and “Front Passenger” crash test scores are both 5 vs 4 on gas models
More Standard Features*
The “2.0i Premium w/ CVT” model does not come with Keyless Access, Push-button Start, Automatic Climate Control, Auto on/off headlights, Folding Rear Seat armrest w/ cupholders.
*Note that these are all standard on the “2.0i Limited” (gas) model (except Keyless Access, which is an option), but we are comparing to the “2.0i Premium Model.” If I wanted to compare against the “2.0i Limited” model, then I would remove this item from the benefit. In that case, I would be paying only paying $1200 (4.7%) more for all of the other benefits listed here.
Updated Styling & Exclusive Green Color
Turn signals on mirrors (*see note above for this item too), chrome accent on door handles, LED taillights, exclusive green color.
What do I lose?
Spare Tire