Looking at getting a new car but not sure which way to go? Well, with the big push for electric cars you may be wondering if that’s the way to go. Or maybe you’re looking at hybrid cars. Or maybe you’re still thinking that gasoline might be best. No matter what you’re planning, it’s important to take a look at the options. And really … you’ll find that it all depends on what you’re looking for.

Where the Hybrid Wins

There are a number of factors where a hybrid vehicle beats out a gasoline powered vehicle. Things like city driving, running costs, volume while driving and the environment are places where having a hybrid will really give you a boost. So, let’s dive into what each of these mean when considering: are hybrid cars better than gas.

City Driving – If you’re going to be doing most of your driving in the city you may want to take a closer look at a hybrid. The major reason? Because you’ll have a lot more stop-and-go traffic, which is where hybrids can be a bonus. Because they use electric mode for this type of driving you’re going to save a whole lot on fuel. If you had a gasoline powered car for that kind of driving … well, you’d be wasting a lot of gas.

Running Costs – Keeping your vehicle up and running is crucial, right? You need to be able to count on your vehicle to be there and in good shape when you need it to take you anywhere. Well, with hybrids you actually tend to have less costs after the initial purchase. You aren’t going to spend as much on gas because you’re getting a whole lot more mileage. And you’ll have a higher resale value when you’re ready to upgrade.

Volume While Driving – Have you ever paid attention to just how loud your vehicle is when you’re driving? If you haven’t then check it out next time you get in your gasoline powered vehicle. Then take a minute to listen with your hybrid from the RealCar rental company. Hybrid vehicles are much quieter while running than a gasoline powered vehicle, which can help you sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride that much more.

Environmental Impact – For anyone who is looking to help the environment, hybrid vehicles are a great way to go. These vehicles reduce emissions, which results in less environmental impact. They use less fossil fuels, helping to create a world that’s not as dependent upon nonrenewable and hazardous resources.

Where the Gasoline Powered Option Wins

Of course, there are still some areas where gasoline-powered vehicles come out ahead. When we’re talking about upfront costs, maintenance costs, performance, and highway driving you’ll see benefits to owning a gasoline-powered vehicle. So you’ll want to take a closer look at each of these areas before you decide on your next vehicle. That’s true when you’re looking at car rental in Manhattan too.

Upfront Costs – Hybrid and electric vehicles are still quite expensive to purchase outright. So, when you’re looking to buy a car and you find yourself with a budget to stick to … well, that’s where you’re going to need to look closer at a gasoline-powered vehicle. These are going to be less expensive upfront.

Maintenance Costs – Unfortunately, vehicles break down. When it comes to maintenance you’re once again going to see lower costs with the gasoline-powered option. The main reason? Gasoline-powered vehicles are actually more simple and straightforward to care for and therefore the process and the costs associated are going to be lower. Once again, if you find yourself with a budget you need to keep to, gasoline is generally the way to go.

Performance – Want a vehicle that’s going to get up to speed fast? Or one that’s going to give you more of that ‘sporty’ experience? Well, you’re not going to get that same driving experience with a hybrid. Gasoline-powered cars are going to be the way to go if your goal is something that makes you feel like you’re really in a racecar or like you’re going to show off your driving style.

Highway Driving – Where hybrid vehicles tend to excel at city driving, gasoline powered vehicles tend to excel when it comes to highway driving. They’re good at getting up to speed and staying there and the fuel efficiency that you see in a hybrid just isn’t quite the same on highway driving. That’s not to say that you won’t see benefits, or that hybrids can’t drive on the highway, it’s just not going to be quite the same.

What to Consider

So, if you’re thinking about getting a new vehicle and you’re deciding between a hybrid and a gasoline powered vehicle, take a look at four key categories. These are the costs, the fuel efficiency, the driving experience, and the environment.

Hybrid vehicles tend to have a higher upfront cost and they can cost more in the way of maintenance, but they don’t need a lot of gas and when it comes time to sell they retain their value. That also leads into the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, which is a major aspect of the environmental benefits. Add in the smooth driving experience and you’re definitely getting a great vehicle.

Gasoline powered vehicles tend to have a lower upfront cost and they cost less to maintain. They do use gas, however, which means you’re going to have continual costs in keeping the vehicle up and running. They’re going to be less fuel efficient overall because they use gas exclusively (though different gasoline powered vehicles have very different fuel efficiency from each other so you can take a look at that too) and they’re not going to be very good for the environment. They’re also going to have a little more variable driving experience, but it tends to be a bit more ‘sporty’ in some vehicles.

So it’s going to be up to you to decide which way is the way to go.