What's it like to drive a hybrid car?
Driving experience
Reassuringly familiar behind the wheel
For the most part, driving a hybrid car will feel just like driving an ordinary automatic. But what sets them apart from petrol or diesel cars, is the hybrid’s responsive electric power creates smoother acceleration and a quieter ride.
Responsive electric power
Ultra-smooth acceleration
Noise reduced motoring
Ultra-quiet ride
When driving on electric power, a hybrid is much quieter because you’re not using the petrol engine. This is especially true of plug-in hybrids because they can drive for extended distances on electric power.
Regenerative Braking
Capturing energy as you drive
Hybrid cars use a process called regenerative braking to charge their batteries by capturing kinetic energy when the car is braking. In some hybrids this can be set to different strengths to control whether you coast or slow down when releasing the accelerator.
Plug-in hybrid driving
Perfect synergy of electric and petrol
Driving a plug-in hybrid
What’s the best way to drive a hybrid car?
Here’s a few habits to get into which will help you get the most out of a plug-in hybrid:
- Try to use electric power only (EV mode) when moving off from standing starts. This means you rely on the petrol engine less often and will save you money.
- Use electric power for short or low speed journeys.
- Keep your acceleration light. If you go for more determined acceleration, the internal combustion engine will kick in.
- Get into the habit of charging overnight, so it’s always fully charged by morning.
The ultimate plug-in hybrid
Efficient in the city. Confident in the wilds
A hybrid without compromise, the Outlander PHEV is responsive and yet effortless to drive on roads, but can also cope with conditions off it. Whether for work or play, you’ll find the Outlander can tow, cope with all weather and tackle some light off-roading too.