Maintenance Costs

• Because hybrid cars contain complex components, many mechanics simply aren't equipped to repair them properly. That means that the hybrid car will likely need to be taken back to the dealer when it needs repairs, and replacement parts--especially the battery--tend to be far more expensive than those of non-hybrid cars. Some hybrid car manufacturers have countered this by offering lengthy warranties on many of their parts. It pays to know exactly what they are before making a purchase.
  
  

Additional Upfront Expense

• Hybrid cars often cost more than comparable models of normal cars: $4,000 to $6,000 or so more for new models. The savings in gas will likely match or exceed that over the lifetime of the car, but a bigger upfront price may cause frugal consumers to balk.
  
  

Battery Issues

• The principal selling point of the hybrid car is its use of both standard gasoline and an electronic battery to power the motor. The battery purportedly has a hard time working in cold environments, meaning that the car must often run primarily with the engine during winter months in cold climates. That eliminates a great deal of the fuel economy which makes hybrid cars so attractive in the first place. Furthermore, the battery can be a fairly large risk during an accident: exposed wires can generate extremely high voltage, presenting a far greater hazard to those at the scene than standard batteries. Toyota, makers of the Prius and the standard-bearer for hybrid cars, claim that they have reduced the risk considerably.
  
  

Assembly Pollution

• Though fairly subtle, it's worth noting that hybrid cars cost more to produce than standard cars. Their two-part drive train simply takes longer to put together, and other components require an equally complex assembly. That means more pollutants from the factory, more waste in the assembly and more cost in the disposal of hybrid cars. Of course, studies indicate that that is still offset by the increased fuel economy of hybrid cars, but the fact remains that production tends to produce more pollution than with other types of vehicles.
  
  

Reduced Performance

• Hybrid cars easily outpace other cars in terms of fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions. Part of the price for that is a decrease in road performance, most notably acceleration and top speed. Some customers have complained about braking noise as well, and believe that the hybrid's engine is "too quiet" in comparison to other cars. While many would consider this an advantage rather than a disadvantage, parents worried about children running into the street or driveway might want to consider whether their child can hear the hybrid car approaching.