Hybrids are ok, since the initial acceleration is done using the electric motor, and is instantaneous. But some non-hybrid cars will stop the engine when the c

Hybrids are ok, since the initial acceleration is done using the electric motor, and is instantaneous. But some non-hybrid cars will stop the engine when the car stops, and start it real quick as you move your foot off the brake. This gets a bit disconcerting for us drivers that grew up with cars that would have a hard time starting back up if the engine died in an intersection, so the first few times it happens it induces a bit of mild panic. Especially if you are at an intersection waiting for a gap in traffic, you take your foot off the brake and the engine starts, you start to ease up a bit for a better view then the engine stops again. Now there is a gap in traffic, and you want to go "right now", but if feels like there is that slight hesitation as the engine starts up again before you can start accelerating. Now on the technical side, then the engine stops, the engine is positioned at a part of the combustion cycle so that it takes very little effort for the starter to get the engine to pop off. And the starter motor is an upgraded version, designed for the frequent use, so overall it is very reliable. But from a psychological viewpoint, it is very hard to shake the feeling that your car engine just died and you are about to get hit by an oncoming car.