We have grouped the most popular hybrid cars together in a short but sweet comparison around what’s important.

Economy

Our testing has shown that the Toyota Prius receives the best economy of the current popular hybrid sedans. Following that is the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Honda Accord Hybrid. The Nissan Altima Hybrid is a few miles per gallon behind, but still a noticeable improvement over the non-hybrid version.

Top Pick: The Toyota Prius is the indisputable champion here.

Versatility

There is much more to a vehicle than fuel economy or horsepower. A good vehicle will have a good mixture of both economy and power, trunk space and air bags. A hybrid vehicle is still a vehicle, as opposed to a battery on wheels. Many of the cars that we tested had great range, but in terms of versatility, the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Lexus GS 450h are the two which really stand out.

The Camry for its price, ease of use, and availability to just about anyone. The GS 450h because of the power, good looks, and thrilling performance.

Top Pick: The Lexus GS 450h. Sure, it might be a bit more expensive, but no one who’s ever driven it has complained.

Overall Value

When comparing the overall value of the car, we are referring to a combination of the price, performance, economy, range of features, and overall sense of satisfaction with the car. The vehicles that really stand out here are the Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus GS450h, and the Toyota Camry Hybrid. We don’t feel that the Prius or the venerable Insight are really worthy of being included in this segment, as both of those cars carry significant limitations.

The Civic and the Camry both have great mileage, and benefit from being hybrid versions of every day cars. Though we prefer the styling of the Civic, it is hard to argue with the ease of use and comfort that the Camry offers. However, we also feel that the GS 450h has them both beat by a large margin when it comes to every day use. The Lexus GS 450h is also packed with every bell and whistle you can think of, while still maintaining a formidable engine and power train.

Top Pick: The Lexus GS 450h once again. This car makes no sacrifices, and even though it is a hybrid, it is still blast to drive, use, and own. I’m sure every owner appreciates all of the technology and time that has gone into their vehicles.

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.

Economy

All of the major hybrid SUVs we mentioned earlier achieve similar mileage, with the rating hovering right around 29 miles per gallon. The Escape hybrid, in two wheel drive trim, achieves an average rating of 34 miles per gallon. The Mercury Mariner also leads the four wheel drive pack with an average consumption rating of 31 miles per gallon.

Top Pick: Ford Escape Hybrid. In two wheel drive trim, the Escape is capable of achieving a compact-car like 34 miles per gallon. It still achieves 31 miles per gallon in four wheel drive trim.

Versatility

Comparing storage capacity, overall range, towing rating, and power train options, it become difficult for us to determine a clear-cut winner. The vehicles that we felt confident taking off-road were actually subjected to some mild abuse on the trails, and of course, every SUV was loaded up with the wife, kids, and groceries.

After some serious city driving, as well as some dirt roads, we realized that a couple of these SUVs weren’t up to the task of off-roading. The Escape and Mariner fell short, as did the Vue Green Line. The Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 400h both held up well, having enough power and weight to run with the best of them.

Top Pick: Toyota Highlander and the Lexus RX 400h. Great interior and storage space; lots of power for the trails; capable four wheel drive system.

Overall Value

This is always the hardest segment to judge, as each vehicle brought its own character and traits to the table. The Escape and Mariner hybrids both got great mileage, yet were comfortable to drive and were homey and attractive. The Vue Green Line was the most inexpensive hybrid SUV tested, though you’d never know from its confident road manners and excellent characteristics. The Highlander and RX 400h were both more powerful and luxurious, though at a premium over all of the other SUVs tested.

However, when it comes down to value, we considered much more than the price. We looked at the fit and finish of each vehicle, carefully trying to point out defects of mistakes. We examined the economy and power, as well as the usability of the vehicle on the street.

Top Pick: Saturn Vue Green Line. No matter how you slice it, this hybrid SUV is a shoe-in for this spot. Besides being the least expensive, the Vue Green Line features a surprisingly capable power train and a comfortable interior. The vehicle is well equipped, and even includes an auxiliary input on all trim levels, making connecting your iPod easy.

Driving the Vue Green Line

The Green Line gets the majority of its power from a 170 horsepower four cylinder engine that pumps out 160 pound feet or torque. A bit underpowered, but when you add the electric motor (which adds 115 pound feet of torque) the Vue Green Line becomes capable, and perhaps even a little peppy.

Like many Hybrids, there are a few concessions to make in order to achieve maximum efficiency. When you are stopping, for example, the air conditioning will automatically turn off, as will the engine, unless you specifically specify otherwise. If you are fond of using the air conditioning and the concept of being without it for a few minutes at a stop light bothers you, perhaps opting to disable this feature (via the in dash button) may suit your tastes.

Otherwise, we found the Vue Green Line to be a nice ride to scoot around town in. We even took it on the highway, where it had no problem keeping up with and passing traffic. The drive of the Vue actually reminds us of the Honda CRV, of which we are particularly fond of. We have found the suspension to be soft enough for a comfortable ride, yet firm enough to instill confidence in the corners. For an SUV, that means that it has a lot of versatility.

The interior is pretty standard, with nothing really jumping out at us. The in-dash CD player will also play MP3’s (no WMA’s), and has an auxiliary input across all of the models. The stereo sounds pretty good, though it tends to sound a bit bassy at the factory settings. A few minutes of your time to tune it how you want it, however, and that is easily fixed.

Conclusion

There are no other SUV’s on the market with a hybrid power train for this price. Our first thought was that the vehicle itself would suffer because of it, but we’ve actually found the Vue Green Line to be an enjoyable drive, with plenty of pickup and power. It’s fuel economy may not be stellar (around 30 miles per gallon), but it is considerably higher than your typical non-hybrid SUV.

For someone looking for a SUV that they can actually use every day while saving a bit on gas, the Vue Green Line is a sure thing.

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.

Driving the Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Containing a 94 horsepower electric motor and a 133 horsepower 2.4 liter four cylinder motor, the Mariner hybrid is certainly no slouch. Though merely average in terms of acceleration, the Mariner is able to achieve 400+ miles on a single tank of fuel, and it consistently achieves 30 miles per gallon. Compared to a “normal” mariner, that is about a 33% improvement.

The Mariner comfortably seats four with their gear, perhaps five if the back three are small. Unlike many of the hyper-efficient hybrid cars, the Mariner has utility as well as efficiency. This SUV looks, feels, and acts like one- the only real difference is the increased range and fuel economy associated with the hybrid power train.

One complaint that we do have is with the continuously variable transmission. It’s a good one, that’s for sure, but we just don’t’ like CVT transmissions. They make the vehicle feel more like a train on wheels as opposed to a car cruising on the road. We’ve grown quite fond of pronounced, deliberate shifts.

But none of that affects what is, at its core, a good SUV. With the government handing back $2,000 as an incentive to purchase one, they certainly become more appealing. Many people are criticizing the increased cost of a hybrid versus a “normal” model, citing that it would take 5 or 6 years to experience the cost savings. That may be true at the gas prices now, but as they continue to climb (and make no mistake, they will continue to rise) the savings associated with owning a hybrid will only increase.

Conclusion

A good SUV, with good utility and capability. Is it great? Admittedly, no, it’s not great. But it’s pretty darn good, and we are happy with that.

Detail: However, upon us is the Nissan Altima, Nissan’s eco-friendly of the popular sedan. Utilizing a hybrid system licensed from Toyota, the Altima features current hybrid technology as well as its handsome looks and impressive handling. The question is, however, whether or the not the hybrid system will change how the Altima, which is a consumer favorite for its performance, drives and feels.

Driving the Altima Hybrid

The 200 combined horsepower of the Altima hybrid do a great job of propelling this beauty, and the gobs of low end torque (200 from the electric motor, 168 from the gasoline engine, all before 3,000 rpm) propel the Altima from stops with surprising deliverance. This is a car that doesn’t want to have the typical “hybrid” label.

The Altima scoots along effortlessly, and though it feels bulkier than its non-hybrid brothers, it’s a compromise we’re willing to make. After all, gas mileage exceeding 30 miles per gallon is pretty impressive for a sedan this size. We had some complains initially about brake pedal feel, but we’ve grown accustomed to it and it no longer poses a bother. In fact, we don’t even notice it anymore.

The transmission does a good job of allowing the Altima hybrid to accelerate smoothly, but we miss the feeling associated with a traditional transmission. The continuously variable transmission, which seems to be all the rage with automakers right now, tends to take a bit off of the Altima’s fun side.

Like most hybrids, the Altima comes with many different technical features, including a very useful rear-view camera. However, at a price exceeding $30,000 well equipped, it certainly isn’t the bargain driver that we would have liked. A price around $28,000 would have been ideal, but I suppose you need to pay for all of that technology.

Conclusion

The Altima isn’t the most spirited hybrid, but it’s comfortable and certainly no slouch either. Rumor has it that Nissan is developing their own hybrid system, so perhaps we’ll see more of a commitment from the automaker. Either way, as far as hybrids go, the Altima is pretty good.

Detail: We don’t quite understand how you can take a pickup truck, which is typically associated with being the “workhorse” of an automotive lineup, and strap a hybrid power train to it. And, even if it can be done, will it even make a difference?

To answer our questions, we are testing a brand new Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, fully optioned out. This truck has 300 horsepower and 330 torque on tap, and has a tow rating of that is equal to the gasoline-only variants. It is powered by the same 5.3 liter V8 that powers the other Silverado’s.

What’s the Difference?

This truck contains two 110 volt batteries which are connected to the hybrid system. This vehicle has the advantage of being able to power standard electric devices, such as a power saw or laptop, without having to purchase an expensive electrical converter. Simply plug the appliance into a power jack and enjoy.

We noticed that the truck was much quieter when traveling at low speeds through town. We can only assume that this is the electric motor doing its thing. When puttering around, the truck operates and feels the same as the other trucks, only the hybrid experiences a modest increase in fuel economy. All of the variations of the V8, hybrid or not, operate using regular gasoline. With gas prices as high as they are, that’s a good thing.

In Closing…

With the government offering $2,000 cash back on the purchase of a hybrid vehicle, there is no reason not to purchase a Silverado hybrid. The hybrid model only costs an additional $2,500, and after the rebate, a mere $500. Even if you plan on owning this truck for only a year, you’re likely to see some kind of return on your dollar.

The price of the truck isn’t the issue. It comes down to usability, and whether or no the Silverado hybrid is really worth your time. The modest increase in fuel economy might not be as pronounces as we’d like, but the addition of standard electrical plugs and other small features are actually a nice touch.

Driving the GS 450h

At first glance, this sedan appears sedate and rather bulky. The swooping lines and well defined curves create a majestic, if somewhat regal, appearance. Once you climb inside, the same qualities can be found within the cabin. The interior is well appointed, and the voice activated GPS unit gets a nice big LCD screen.

The controls are all easy to locate, and there are hints at the vehicles hybrid nature throughout the cabin. Press the button for the vehicle to turn on and the voltmeter lights up, letting you know just how much juice the electric motor is going to give you.

Then, in that brief moment after you’ve pressed the pedal, you can perhaps wonder what this car will feel like once it begins to accelerate. And then it happens: the car launches forward with such force that you may find yourself taken completely off guard. We only wish that there was some way to record our facial expression the moment that we realize that this was no somber sedan- it must have just been terrific.

The GS 450h takes off faster than a Cobalt SS, Mustang GT, and is nearly as fast as the 307 horsepower 350Z. Yes, a 350Z! It becomes clear that this sedan, though not a sports car, was not meant to be on the tame side of things. Hitting triple digit speeds in this Lexus is comfortable, and oddly quiet. Gosh, we can hardly contain ourselves!

Conclusion

This sedan is proof that a hybrid does not have to be a boring, sleep inducing vehicle. Never mind all of the features and technology inside the car, it’s the technology and sheer force underneath the hood that gets us excited. And, despite all of this power (nearly 340 horsepower from a 3.3 liter six cylinder/electric motor combination), the GS 450h is still capable of churning out over 30 miles per gallon. That we really like.

Detail: The Sierra hybrid isn’t exactly out to accomplish what most hybrids do. It doesn’t offer a significant increase in fuel economy (around 1 mile per gallon), and it doesn’t extend the range of the truck either. Instead, it helps manage fuel consumption when stopped, and adds to the versatility of the truck.

The truck employs a flywheel operating electrical unit which maintains the engine when stopped, meaning that no gasoline is being burned. This is a relatively inexpensive addition to the truck, and it does help save gas when idling. As soon as you lift your foot off the brake pedal, the 5.3 liter engine comes back to life and you’re once again ready to roll.

But that’s not what makes the Sierra hybrid worth your hard earned dollar. In fact, if that were the only reason I’d be the first one to tell you not to go out and buy one. After all, at a $1,500 premium over the regular Sierra, a 1 mpg increase is hardly anything to brag about. What really makes this truck worth owning is the way the hybrid system transforms the Sierra into a gigantic generator.

The Sierra has four electrical outlets that operate at standard voltage, meaning that you can plug in your air compressor, laptop, and power saw without having to purchase an expensive (and often problematic) inverter. For someone using their truck for work, this can be a huge time saver as well as extremely convenient to have. You know, just in case.

Aside from all of that, the Sierra looks and drives exactly like a “regular” one. The suspension is typical truck tough, giving a good ride every time you go over a few bumps or ridges in the road. This truck, like its gasoline-only counterparts, is good to go off road with a very capable four wheel drive system. We had a hard time getting this truck stuck and, try as we might, we eventually gave up once we realize we were spending more time trying to get it stuck than we were trying to review it.

From the outside, there is little that will identify this truck as a hybrid. All of the molding, exterior trim, and accessories are the same. The rims look no different, and the hybrid model has the same selection of exterior colors. Aside from a small badge that simply says “hybrid”, no one is likely to know the difference.

Conclusion

We recommend this truck, but not because of its “hybrid” qualities. We recommend this truck because you can get one very versatile machine, complete with a generator and outlets for an extra $1,500, that won’t break the bank.

Detail: This SUV is a beauty, no doubt at it. Its looks, plus an impressive list of features and electronic gizmos, have made the RX 400h highly sought after. And guess what, it’s a hybrid.

Extremely Popular

Lexus had nearly 10,000 RX 400h SUV’s sold on a pre-order before they were released, and their popularity has only risen since its introduction. There are many reasons for this, and the Lexus moniker is probably one of them. I’m willing to bet that the main reason is a strong 268 horsepower combined output, coupled with over 30 mpg and an impressive list of standard features.

Driving the RX 400h

Mash the throttle and watch the RX 400h scream from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in under 7.5 seconds, putting into the same category of most sport compacts and 200+ horsepower sedans. Though the 400h is definitely not a sports car, the SUV looks and handles better than just about everything else we’ve come across.

Combining the power from a 3.3L V6 and a 161 horsepower electric motor, the total amount of power on tap comes to jut shy of 270. Mated this to an impressive all-wheel-drive system and you get performance that is leaps and bound ahead of most other SUV’s in its class. All of this while maintaining fuel economy that is nearly Honda Civic territory.

The interior cabin is definitely Lexus, and neither the driver nor the passengers will ever be left wanting for amenities and luxury. Leather adorns the cabin, and the plush seats may even make you wonder why your couch doesn’t feel like that. Typical of most SUV’s, there is a small blind spot near the rear of the car, so be extra careful when shoulder checking.

One area that we would like to see some improvement is in brake pedal feel, but that’s a relatively small gripe to make considering that it doesn’t affect the performance of the RX- the SUV still stops like it’s supposed to.

In Conclusion

With impressive mileage and tons of standard features, the RX 400h is a winner in our books. The SUV accelerates nicely, handles well, and looks pretty darn sharp while doing it.

2007 Lexus GS 450h $1,550
2007 Lexus RX 400h 2WD and 4WD $2,200

2007 Toyota Prius $3,150
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid $ 2,600
2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD and 4WD $2,600

If you wish to take advantage of the credit you will need to purchase soon. The phase out period was initiated on October 1st, 2006 for Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Purchases made before September 30th, 2006 were eligible for the full credit. Purchases between 10/1/06 through 3/31/07 are eligible for 50% of the full credit. Purchases between 4/1/07 through 9/30/07 are eligible to 25% of the full credit. And finally, purchases on or after 10/1/07 are not eligible for any credit.

If you are thinking about buying a Toyota hybrid then you had better do it soon if you want to take advantage of this special tax credit.

Please refer to the IRS or a Tax Professional for all tax advice.