Hybrid Vehicles Guide

There are a lot of hybrid vehicles on the market today, and more are around the corner. With the recent increases in the cost of gasoline, many people are finding the additional economy to be pretty attractive. Hybrid technology didn’t really become popular until the 90s, though it has really been gaining momentum during the last few years. Companies such as Ford and Lexus are showing that a hybrid vehicle doesn’t have to be a funky shaped car, but rather a normal vehicle that is designed around accomplishing normal things. Read the rest of this entry »

A hybrid vehicle has always been associated with a small, oddly shaped car with a horribly underpowered engine and a stratospherically high economy rating. As the technology begins to mature, however, manufacturers are becoming more prone to introducing it to different segments of the market. The upcoming Lexus GS 600h is a prime example of a sedan pushing the limits of conventional and hybrid technology; featuring over 430 horsepower, it will be the most powerful hybrid on the planet, dethroning the venerable Lexus GS 450h.

When it comes to SUVs, however, the hybrid market is just beginning to develop. Ford has released two strong entrants, the Escape and Mariner hybrids, and Saturn has introduced the phenomenal Vue Green Line. Already well established are the Lexus RX 400h and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
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Overview: So it won’t win any awards, and it won’t blow you away with blistering performance or incredible fuel economy, but it will give you a tremendous bang for your dollar. The Vue Green Line, utilizing a simplified hybrid system, can be had for under $25,000 well equipped. With fuel economy right around 30 miles per gallon, which is right about the industry standard for a hybrid SUV, and a bargain basement price, we think that GM has really turned out a winner.
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Overview: We are not the kind of people that get bothered by small, insignificant details. We don’t use a navigation system, and it’s unlikely that we ever will. We don’t see the use of On-Star, or the many clones of On-Star, as we have a cell phone and it does it’s just quite nicely.

So, when we reviewed the 2007 Mercury Mariner hybrid, we didn’t have a lot to complain about. A lot of reviews have slammed the Mariner hybrid for having unacceptable features, such as a small LCD screen for the navigation system (who cares?) or having lackluster acceleration (it’s an SUV, not a sports car). Our drive, however, tells us a story that’s quite different from what the “industry” expects.
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Overview: Nissan is a company that has gone on record stating that hybrid cars are bad business. When you look at it from a purely business point of view, perhaps there is merit. After all, hybrid sales count for a mere 5% of the demand for vehicles, and the cost of producing them are quite high (for now). And, one can experience a similar increase in fuel economy by simply changing their driving habits.
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Overview: With plenty of power and torque on tap, the Silverado Hybrid shows truck owners that a hybrid vehicle doesn’t just have to be a small car. The Silverado is every bit as capable as its gasoline-only brothers, and though it only offers a slight increase in fuel economy, it brings its own unique set of features to the table. With lots of features and nifty options, we think that this truck is a solid entrant into a crowded market.
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Overview: Your head collides with your seat, and the world around you begins to disappear with frightening ferocity. The car continues to rocket forward, and so long as your foot remains on the gas pedal, you are helpless to stop it. The speedometer rises so fast you can’t begin to focus on where it’s at, and once it finally does level off, you find yourself on the upper end of the 100 miles per hour spectrum. This car makes no compromises, no concessions, and yes, it is a hybrid. And boy, do we love it.
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Overview: While technically not really a full “hybrid”, the Sierra hybrid receives a small increase in fuel economy and a big leap is usability. If you plan on using this truck for work, you may want to consider what this truck has to offer you.
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Overview: This SUV is proof that a hybrid doesn’t have to be from a brand known for fuel economy. Lexus, a premium brand by anyone’s standards, has taken a high performance SUV and made it just a little bit greener. Want to give yourself a treat? Take a ride in the 268 horsepower SUV that can sprint from 0-60 in just 7.3 seconds.
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According to the IRS the hybrid tax credit for Toyota (and Lexus) vehicles is now in the phase out period. This credit applies to hybrid vehicles purchased in 2006 or later. The following 2007 model year vehicles qualify for the hybrid tax credit:
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