Camry the best hybrid sedan?

Camry hybrid was "the obvious winner"

InsideLine recently completed a comparison of hybrid sedans, testing the Toyota Camry hybrid, the Saturn Aura hybrid and the Nissan Altima hybrid.

"It's the Camry's abundant features, comfortable ride and fuel-sipping efficiency that take it to the top of the podium in this test. Just like the standard Camry, the simple fact is the Camry Hybrid gives you a lot of car for your money."

Once again, Toyota proves it knows hybrid cars.

Still, the Nissan Altima hybrid did catch the attention of the testers at Edmunds. "Finally. A hybrid with decent steering and a responsive chassis. What took so long?" So, if you are willing to give up some fuel economy for sportier handling, then the Altima hybrid is worth a look in this segment.

The Aura hybrid, unfortunately, it just too much of a mild hybrid and achieved far less fuel economy than the other two hybrid sedans, especially in the city, where Camry hybrid was more than twice as fuel efficient as the Aura. However, for purely highway drivers, looking to spend as little as possible on a hybrid sedan, the Aura hybrid might work, especially if you are committed to GM products.

An exercise in marketing?

Back in March I called another journalist's Saturn Aura hybrid versus Toyota Prius comparison, nonsense. Even though it wasn't my comparison, some suggested I should compare the Toyota Camry hybrid to the Aura hybrid.

Why? It's still nonsense, but then again, I have hybrid a bias.

Karl on Cars recently tested the Camry hybrid, the Aura hybrid, and the Nissan Altima hybrid and.....Finish: Karl on Cars slams Aura hybrid.

Forbe's 2007 Hottest Hybrids

The Forbes hottest hybrids for 2007 list was topped by the Ford Escape hybrid and the Lexus LS600h L hybrid. In addition, Forbes also picked the Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid, as well as the Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid - a little coupe for Saturn. But Forbes's hybrid buzz for GM products didn't end with Saturn. The GMC Yukon hybrid, Chevy Tahoe hybrid, and the Cadillac Escalade hybrid also made the list.

I guess the fact that neither Toyota nor Honda added any new hybrids to their lineups kept them off the list?

(Source: MSNBC)

Do you think automakers are turning green?

There has been a lot of buzz in the media about how automakers are going green and the Los Angeles Auto Show has been cited as an example. I say poppycock.

Sure GM debuted the Saturn Aura hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid in LA, but GM's real green buzz was really generated by GM's plug-in hybrid development announcement - even though the company gave no timeline for an arrival. Is it 3 years, five years, 10 years?

Anyway, at the LA Auto Show, GM put far more effort into marketing their massive lineup of huge Flex-fuel trucks and SUVs - not their hybrids. Saturn hybrids, for crying-out-loud, were practically hidden at the show.

While I would applaud flex-fuel hybrids, or very fuel efficient flex-fuel compact vehicles, I cannot call GM's flex fuel trucks and SUVs a huge green move. Flex-fuel guzzlers are little better than gas-guzzlers. Even worse, flex-fuel guzzlers seem too much like another excuse for GM not to focus on real fuel economy.

Aside from GM, Nissan did debut the Altima hybrid, and Ford displayed the newly designed 2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid and the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid, but Ford's real buzz was generated by the new Mustang more than anything. In reality hybrids were minor drivers for both Ford and Nissan at the LA Show.

Then there was a lot of talk about clean diesel and hydrogen. Blah, blah, blah.

Even Toyota, world leader in hybrid cars, was far more focused on promoting the Toyota Tundra, not its Hybrid Synergy Drive. Still, Toyota hybrids did drive significant buzz in LA and it was obvious many were checking out Toyota's hybrids as potential buyers, not just gawkers.

Ultimately, automakers have realized that Americans are interested in green issues, however, the keyword is interested. Most Americans are still unwilling to help fund the green revolution, and I think automakers are keenly aware of this fact. At this point in time, green marketing is possibly more important than green automobiles.

Americans might be interested in hearing and talking about the green revolution and energy independence, but they are definitely not yet willing to revolt against energy dependence by joining the green revolution.

Toyota's Hybrids at the Los Angeles Auto Show

Heading to the Los Angeles Auto Show this weekend, I had few expectations regarding Toyota and its hybrid vehicles. Pre-show hybrid buzz focused on the Aura and Yukon hybrids and GM's new green identity. Since, I started out on the GM side of the convention center, I thought the best of the show's hybrid displays were behind me, especially when I walked into the Toyota side of the convention center and saw Toyota Tundras everywhere.

Eventually, though, I did make my way through the Tundras and into Toyota's hybrid section.

The difference between GM's hybrid offerings and Toyota's was absolutely stunning. In fact, there was simply no comparison between Toyota and any other automaker at the show regarding hybrid vehicles. Ironically, Toyota's hybrid section was all business and no show gimmicks. There was a huge information bar where you could sit down, talk to a rep and obtain product literature. Then of course, there were Toyota's three hybrids, the Highlander hybrid, Camry hybrid and the Prius.

As I sat near the Toyota hybrid section I was amazed at the visitors to this area. This was a high traffic area, but it wasn't just people looking at hybrids. Here people were getting into hybrids - sitting in the front, then the back, opening the trunk, touching every gadget that the vehicles had to offer. These visitors looked like buyers.

Wow, I thought, not bad for a company without any new hybrid debuts. Then, however, I noticed the Lexus hybrid section and realized Toyota did debut a hybrid at the show, the Lexus LS600h L hybrid. While Lexus had the GS 450h hybrid the RX 400h hybrid at the show, in addition to a split 450h show gimmick, the LS 600h was the show stopper. Still, the Lexus hybrid section was pure auto show marketing, unlike the Toyota section, and it worked. The buzz around the Lexus hybrids was nothing short of phenomenal.

In terms of hybrid vehicles, Toyota didn't just dominate the LA Auto Show; it was the LA Auto Show.

Green GM at the LA Auto Show?

I spent the weekend at this year's LA Auto Show, and I have a lot to write on regarding that topic. I'll start with GM. There was a lot of pre-show hype regarding GM's new green revolution - as I've called it. Since I started my auto show tour on the GM side, I was very excited. Yet, I left the GM side of show unimpressed. Yes, I saw the Yukon hybrid and all of GM's Flex-fuel vehicles - every huge gas-guzzling one of them. Inevitably, a flex-fuel tank is still a tank.

The Yukon hybrid is, well, huge. Fine. Yet, the hybrid engine on display near the vehicle seemed to attract more attention than the hybrid itself. So, I went looking for GM's other hybrid debut, the Saturn Aura hybrid.

Saturn had a nice little hybrid section at the show that showcased a split Saturn Vue hybrid with lights demonstrating the different modes of its mild hybrid powertrain. It definitely caught people's attention - as they walked into the bathroom. Unfortunately, the display, just as with the Yukon hybrid, caught more attention than either the Vue hybrid or the Aura hybrid. And why did GM practically hide the Saturn hybrid display area?

Ultimately, I thought GM's green efforts were completely unimpressive, unless one believes flex-fuel is the solution to the world's energy problems. Unfortunately, I do not hold that view.

Los Angeles Auto Show: GM's hybrid vehicle revolution saved for Detroit?

While GM is going to show the Saturn Aura hybrid and the GMC Yukon hybrid at the Los Angeles Auto Show, GM is probably going to save its major green offerings for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit according to the latest rumors. Nonetheless, GM's Rick Wagoner is still expected to touch upon GM's rumored green revolution at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Hype continues to build around GM's possible plans to develop a new line of series hybrids as well as plug-in hybrids, in addition to full electric vehicles. Those plans might be mentioned at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but it appears that GM will wait for the Detroit Show to truly debut its green revolution.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed. If this is more truth than hype, it could be the greatest development to hit Detroit in decades.

Another GM mild hybrid coming soon - yeah, whatever!

GM is starting production on the Saturn Aura Green Line this week, which is supposed to be around 10% more efficient than a standard Aura. Until GM offers a full hybrid to consumers, however, I just can't get very excited about a GM mild hybrid.

(Source: AutoblogGreen)