Direct drive mode

[NetworkMan]

The Honda system is quite different from Toyota's.  In direct drive mode the engine is driving the wheels directly and also the generator, which may be merely rotating.  The motor is available too, both for extra torque and also for recuperation.  On the motorway, if one has done a long descent, the battery may be fully charged and the car will then use the battery with the engine off at speeds of 70 mph or more in order to get the charge state down to 30% or so, presumably to provide capacity for more recuperation  There is no way to enable or disable EV mode - it just happens when the car's programming decides.

[zdan]

Great, glad to hear its so efficient at highway speeds. I mostly drive at 60mph so its going to be a joy to see the engine cutting while descending.

[JB]

So does that mean Honda system is better than Toyota or is it a
matter of personal choice? or is one more reliable than the other?

[Marco1979]

Nice topic, wanted to post something similar about this for a while.

In my 2014 CT/Prius I can do up to 30mph EV only if I press the "EV" button. After 30mph it will disengage EV but I could still use the EV if I feather the gas to about half of the "ECO" range in my dash. It never goes in only EV over 45mph.

How's on the 2020+ Jazz? I'm planning to get one soon.

It is slightly different for the Jazz. It does not have an EV button, you just start it up and the engine will remain off if you do not require heat. For as long as the battery remains charged enough. But you can drive on EV even at 80 mph under certain circumstances.
It will determine all by itself what is most efficient. Usually it switches between EV mode and direct drive intermittently.

[zdan]

So does that mean Honda system is better than Toyota or is it a
matter of personal choice? or is one more reliable than the other?

I wouldn't go that far even on a Honda forum
After a test-drive. Toyota's system (3rd gen hybrid) feels more refined than Jazz 2020+. Toyota is at the 5th generation of hybrids now and they sold tens of millions worldwide.
Honda did sell quite a bit but barely 5% of what Toyota did.
In terms of reliability - both japanese brands are on top of the lists anywhere you look.

[stani]

Toyota has slightly lower consumption, Honda is quieter (except for HR-V).

[NetworkMan]

Toyota has slightly lower consumption, Honda is quieter (except for HR-V).

Yes, the German AA (www.adac.de) measure the noise level at 130 km/h inside the cars they test.  IIRC the Jazz is quieter than both the Yarris and Corolla hybrids and the same as the Prius.  In the case of the Yarris the car has both a three cylinder engine (Jazz has four) and more gears engaged in the transmission, including the famous planetary gear system. On the motorway some people find the change in engine in engine note of the Toyota annoying whereas the Honda is constant with its fixed gear.

[coldstart]

The Honda e:HEV cars are "self-loading" electric cars and have (almost) the same driver's characteristics as a true EV.
"Almost" because the "immediate" throttle response is highly dependant on the charge level of the HV-battery (which is deplorably very limited in our current Jazzes).

The Toyota "Synergy Drive" system is very cleverly thought out (and time-tested!). Thanks to its variable transmission it allows for slightly better fuel economy (especially at elevated speeds) while at the same time forgiving Honda's transition-free drive experience.

I have to admit, as a Jazz-owner I'm biased on this one!
However, the very smooth ride the Jazz e:HEV system provides had me hooked on the first test drive
(still can't wipe that wide smile off my face...)

imho, next to a true EV nothing comes close to this (and even I am willing to forgive a few a MPG for this comfort of ride and I'm not complaining - see my signature: now "scratching" the 70-barrier)

Addendum: I'm living in eastern Switzerland. We do have "hills" (hundreds to two thousands+ of metres high) and are subject to weather conditions involving snow (occasionally up to 40cm in my region) - so: 69+ MPG is quite an achievement! (I couldn't get my previous car (VW Polo) any higher than 52.8 MPG)