Hybrid vs. Non-hybrid

Currently I have a Tacoma and will be moving up to a Tundra. Main reason is that I have a boat to tow. The Tacoma can do it, but the Tundra would be better. There is a member here with a boat very similar to mine and he tows it no problem.

I am looking at the Limited, 4x4, Crewmax.
I have priced out a hybrid vs non hybrid, everything else the same.

Hybrid - $3365 more. 50# more towing capacity, 135# less payload (according to site, I know you go by sticker). More HP, more Torque, 2 more mpg (negligible).

Gas - less money, more payload, gain underseat storage.

But how is the actual towing between the 2. That's the question. Which would be better overall? I initially indicated I wanted the Hybrid, but now I am thinking more and trying to decide. If I'm going to wait 6-9 months (what the salesman told me), I want to get what I want.

Anything I missed or need to consider?
Thanks!

 

How much weight you towing?

I went from a ‘17 Tacoma to my Limited Crewmax ‘22 Tundra (non-hybrid).

So, currently I’m towing 4200 lbs across the country. 3 days in a row after ~500 miles each day I’m in the 17s as far as MPGs go. Best day was 17.2.

I have not driven or towed with a hybrid but I’d imagine it would be slightly better. Would I upgrade to one eventually? Sure. But I don’t see the added cost being made up in fuel savings. More power is always nice, but this one isn’t lacking any in my opinion.

 

If your Tacoma can handle it, the gas can handle it. Only reason to go hybrid is extra mpg around town and the extra power. If you keep it for 10 years, it’s basically $1 a day extra for the hybrid not including potential fuel savings or repairs. Hybrid batteries have been shown to last though so I wouldn’t worry.

 

The hybrid is cool. Having the engine shut off in various situations is nice, as is that “silent glide” around the neighborhood or at low speeds. I’ve only had one test drive with the gas only engine and owned the hybrid for 5 days, but I’m glad to feel the hybrid help with that lag and feel the extra power.

I do think there’s a reason these trucks don’t say “hybrid” anywhere on them. This feels like the engine upgrade vs. a hybrid driving experience. That’s what Toyota seems to be using for marketing, and that’s also the “seat of the pants” feeling. I felt the SR5 TRD Sport I test drove had TONS of power. More than adequate, and clearly the capability for towing equivalent loads is right there. I don’t think either will struggle at rated loads or is a bad choice at all.

 

I don't think there's any particular reason to get the hybrid and I have two other toyota hybrids at home (14 Camry and 21 Sienna). But if I was still in the market and didn't already have mine, I'd probably push that direction to keep uniformity if for no other reason. Plus that instant torque from the electric motor would be fun on the beach.

 

Overall, less than 6000 is what I'd be towing.

 

I also looked at the Hybrid but where I live the Hybrid’ s are super expensive.
$10 grand over msrp.

My situation was a little different than most. My current 2017 was approaching 100,000 mile mark and I had a buyer but the amount would reduce significantly if I reached 100,000 miles.

The towing I would be doing is a utility trailer for my atv’s or maybe a travel trailer in the future.

so Non-Hybrid for me.
BUT
If you can get a Hybrid that you want and at msrp. Than go for it!

 

It really depends on whether or not the hybrid system is even active towing. I believe TFLTruck said the got virtually no assistance from the electric motor in the F150 Powerboost towing. Maybe you would at a stop light or something briefly but once you are steady state on the highway or whatever it probably contributes nothing.

see if you can find a towing review

 

I haven't towed with mine yet, but when moving at highway speeds the electric motor does not engage based on the gauges. It seems to be programmed to draw primarily under very light acceleration/low speed when it is electric only and also contributes for short periods of time during moderate to heavy acceleration and passing. This makes sense based on the battery size and what Toyota describes as the aim of the Tundra hybrid system. I imagine that while towing the hybrid system will be contributing as much as it can during acceleration and while maintaining speed uphill under load, but then backs off at a level grade when the engine is not under high load. I do think this means there will be a difference in how "hard" the truck will pull while accelerating the trailer up to speed, but likely won't have a significant difference in overall mileage while towing. I have to imagine that while towing at highway speeds the hybrid will behave and perform almost identically to the gas version, up until you go to accelerate or pass someone.

 

Right. I’m not thinking the hybrid will give better mileage towing. It’s the overall towing experience or power when needed most like pulling out of water or accelerating

 

I wasnt talking about mileage. I am talking about actually adding power. If you are cruising down the freeway with a boat, there is going to be virtually no situations where you lift off the gas and the battery can regen unless you are on a pretty steep downhill. So they basically can't use the electric drive while towing because you would just deplete the battery after a few miles and never recover it.

I think you gotta find a towing review somewhere to see if they mention the electric drive kicking in at all with the trailer hooked up. They might just turn it off all together.

The difference between the Tacoma and 3.5TT in the Tundra(and the 10 speed) while towing is going to be so massive anyways that its not even funny. I have a Lexus GX with the 300hp/330ft-lb 4.6L V8 and even my 2014 F150 Ecoboost, which has quite a bit less torque than the new Tundra, obliterates it. I would think my GX's V8 tows considerably better than the Tacoma V6 as it has an extra 65 ft-lbs at 1000 rpm's less.

That and the Tundra has much lower gearing in first gear than the Tacoma. The 1st gear in the 10 speed is very short and so pulling the boat out of the water is going to be easier even if the motor was exactly the same.

 

Hmm I’m pretty sure the battery regens in braking and during deceleration all the time unless the battery is full. Also the engine does recharge the battery based on the state of charge. This system only adds power when towing. I got to sit it in a Tundra hybrid and play around with it a bit at the dealer a few days ago. The engine does kick on once tow mode is selected so looks like electric only cruising is not allowed unless using Normal mode. But I would suspect the motor is used when accelerating. It wouldn’t make sense to use the motor when cruising since the engine can make enough torque to keep the vehicle moving. I guess you could offset some of the engine’s torque with electric motor torque but then the engine will need to recharge the battery once battery charge gets too low. Maybe it’s not efficient to operate that way when towing.

 

I’m in a 19 tundra, I’m waiting for the new Tacoma to see which one is better.

 

Trivial gain in lb ft of torque to pull a heavy trailer up a grade and no gain in fuel economy. Same with the Ford hybrid F-150 truck. With a trailer in tow a key concern of mine is the range on a tank of gas as fuel stops when towing a trailer is something I like to avoid as much as possible.

The hybrid vehicles that provide a substantial gain in fuel economy have a half size engine that is augmented with electric drive motors powered by a large battery pack. With the pickup trucks the gain is having battery power and an inverter so that power tools can be operated without need for a portable gas generator at a job site.

 

yeah to bad Toyota assumed no one cares about the generator capabilities.

The only reason I would buy a Powerboost is for the generator.