No More Hybrids?
Feb 9, 2020, 7:50 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,875
I rented a Camry last week and got in the low 30s or upper 20s. Not even close to a hybrid.
"F" on a fuel gauge isn't actually full; usually you can fill a little beyond that and it won't move above F for obvious reasons. This is standard across most vehicles, though 100 miles seems a bit of a stretch.
-J.
"F" on a fuel gauge isn't actually full; usually you can fill a little beyond that and it won't move above F for obvious reasons. This is standard across most vehicles, though 100 miles seems a bit of a stretch.
-J.
But mileage varies a lot depending on how you drive
Feb 9, 2020, 8:31 pm
#17
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-J.
Feb 9, 2020, 10:07 pm
#18
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Avis/Budget seem to have lots of Prius in their fleet. The Fusion Hybrid is pretty common too. I haven't seen any at National since I started using them ~2 months ago.
While I'd prefer a Fusion hybrid, I actually quite like the Prius. Sure it's small and the asinine beep when in reverse, but the gas mileage is incredible for something that size. Now if it only had heated seats, but then it'd dent the fuel economy.
While I'd prefer a Fusion hybrid, I actually quite like the Prius. Sure it's small and the asinine beep when in reverse, but the gas mileage is incredible for something that size. Now if it only had heated seats, but then it'd dent the fuel economy.
Feb 9, 2020, 10:12 pm
#19
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Avis/Budget seem to have lots of Prius in their fleet. The Fusion Hybrid is pretty common too. I haven't seen any at National since I started using them ~2 months ago.
While I'd prefer a Fusion hybrid, I actually quite like the Prius. Sure it's small and the asinine beep when in reverse, but the gas mileage is incredible for something that size. Now if it only had heated seats, but then it'd dent the fuel economy.
While I'd prefer a Fusion hybrid, I actually quite like the Prius. Sure it's small and the asinine beep when in reverse, but the gas mileage is incredible for something that size. Now if it only had heated seats, but then it'd dent the fuel economy.
-J.
Feb 14, 2020, 7:51 pm
#20
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I think I found a workaround but not sure if it will work. At the airport I am picking up from, Alamo and National share the lot space. I was able to book a hybrid car on Alamo.com, and my full size car on National.com. My plan is to go out to the lot and tell them I am here for the hybrid, which would be put aside for me, and then drive it out of the exit as a National rental. I doubt they will have a problem with it. If it works, this would be my go-to strategy for making sure one of these cars is available for me.
Feb 15, 2020, 4:02 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,703
I think I found a workaround but not sure if it will work. At the airport I am picking up from, Alamo and National share the lot space. I was able to book a hybrid car on Alamo.com, and my full size car on National.com. My plan is to go out to the lot and tell them I am here for the hybrid, which would be put aside for me, and then drive it out of the exit as a National rental. I doubt they will have a problem with it. If it works, this would be my go-to strategy for making sure one of these cars is available for me.
What is the insistence on a hybrid about, anyway? You don't save many MPG over a gas engine Altima, Sentra, Camry, etc. unless you exclusively drive at low speeds.
Feb 15, 2020, 4:45 am
#22
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It will probably work, but it would be better to be above board and simply ask the National greeter for a hybrid.
What is the insistence on a hybrid about, anyway? You don't save many MPG over a gas engine Altima, Sentra, Camry, etc. unless you exclusively drive at low speeds.
What is the insistence on a hybrid about, anyway? You don't save many MPG over a gas engine Altima, Sentra, Camry, etc. unless you exclusively drive at low speeds.
Feb 16, 2020, 4:43 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2016
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The highway numbers are comparable, which is why I said it's marginal unless you only drive at low speeds.
Feb 16, 2020, 5:13 am
#25
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Feb 16, 2020, 7:57 pm
#27
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Well that was a bust - the location didn't even both putting a hybrid aside for my reservation and just asked me to take another random car 
Feb 22, 2020, 8:53 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 777
So the feedback I am getting from my usual National rental locations is the hybrid cars, almost all are Ford Fusions, are being phased out of the fleet, and no more are being bought. This is really disappointing given that I was rather happy with 47MPG combined, vs the low-mid 30s I can try and squeeze out of an Altima.
Just curious if anyone with an ear to the ground at EHI has some insight as to why they are not either ordering 2020 Fusion Hybrids, or looking for alternatives from Hyundai, Toyota, etc
Just curious if anyone with an ear to the ground at EHI has some insight as to why they are not either ordering 2020 Fusion Hybrids, or looking for alternatives from Hyundai, Toyota, etc
Feb 22, 2020, 8:58 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 777
Find only way to possibly be part of that .5% that does have success is where location (especially manager) knows renter (frequent flyer so to speak), and thus out of courtesy may pull something and put it aside (subject to availability), but if inventory is tight all bets are off.
Depending upon how much of a stink you're willing to make could always reach out to EC CS to see if they will give you something for your troubles.
Feb 22, 2020, 9:37 pm
#30
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I ended up with a Ecoboost Fusion, and it has some of the worst gas mileage I've ever experienced for a full size car - barely 25MPG combined city/hwy. I went back to the location expecting to swap out for an up-trim Altima, but saw a SE Hybrid on the Enterprise side and they pulled it for me to to take. So that takes non-Hybrid Fusions and Camrys off my list due to terrible mileage performance.