|
2011 Hybrid Cars
2011 is an interesting year for hybrid vehicles. Several important new hybrid cars will become available in late 2010, including a number of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
So, here's a run down on what to expect from 2011 hybrid cars.
In 2011, the 2011 Toyota Prius will probably still be the king of hybrid cars, but the Prius will face some interesting competition. By late 2011, Toyota will begin selling the 2012 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.
While production of the plug-in Prius, and all plug-in hybrids for that matter, will be very limited in 2011, the great number of Prius owners provide a significant base of potential plug-in Prius buyers. Supply of the Prius plug-in, like all plug-in hybrids, is sure to exceed demand for at least the first few years.
Additional Toyota offerings include the 2011 Toyota Highlander hybrid and the 2011 Toyota Camry hybrid.
Likewise, the Prius v, is now scheduled to hit US dealerships by late 2011, to be followed by the compact Prius c in either late 2011 or early 2012.
Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus, will also offer several hybrid choices. The 2011 Lexus RX 450h, the 2011 Lexus 250 h hybrid, the 2011 Lexus 600h L hybrid, and the 2011 Lexus GS 450h hybrid has recently been joined by the 2011 Lexus CT 200h hybrid, and more Lexus hybrids could follow, as Lexus has indicated that all Lexus vehicles will soon come in a hybrid option.
Overall, however, the CT 200h has become the most compelling Lexus hybrid offering, as it's the most unique and well designed hybrid from Lexus thus far.
While the 2011 Honda Insight is probably the closest thing to a natural Prius competitor, sales of the Insight are not nearly as robust as the Prius, but the Insight could soon be upgraded to resolve some issues, such as noise and ride quality, that have plagued Insight sales thus far. Nevertheless, many have called the Insight the most cost-effective hybrid available.
Likewise the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid has provided a nice spark to to Honda's hybrid sales, and a number of modification and tuner kits will soon be available for the CR-Z hybrid - that could be an interesting 2011 hybrid development.
Additionally, Honda will continue to offer the 2011 Honda Civic hybrid, with the Honda Fit hybrid - Honda's most impressive hybrid thus far according to numerous reports out of Japan - still looming as a possibility, although it will probably be another few years before the Fit hybrid makes it stateside.
Ford will continue to produce the outstanding 2011 Ford Fusion hybrid, and the 2011 Ford Escape hybrid. Furthermore, sometime in 2011 - probably late 2011 - a new dedicated Ford hybrid is expected, and a plug-in hybrid SUV should also hit dealerships, but in very limited quantities.
Additionally, Ford's Lincoln brand will offer the Lincoln MKZ hybrid - the first hybrid that will be offered at the same price as its conventional cousin.
While GM's BAS mild hybrids took a break in 2010, several new lithium-powered BAS hybrids will make their debut in 2011, starting with the Buick LaCrosse eAssist.
Likewise GM will still offer a number of dual mode hybrids. The 2011 Chevy Silverado hybrid and the 2011 GMC Sierra hybrid were the first hybrid trucks sold in America. Additional offerings include the 2011 Chevy Tahoe hybrid, the 2011 GMC Yukon hybrid, and the 2011 Cadillac Escalade hybrid.
And, of course the 2011 Chevy Volt is in its first full year of production, and there is also the possibility of a dual mode plug-in hybrid.
Chrysler could return to the hybrid scene with 2012 Dodge Ram hybrid, although the Ram hybrid will probably only be available in limited quantities, if even produced.
In 2011 Hyundai has hit the hybrid scene with the 2011 Sonata hybrid - a lithium-powered hybrid sedan that offers an interesting focus on highway fuel economy.
While hybrid sedans have not yet been big sellers compared to the Prius, the pricing competition created by the Sonata hybrid could be one of the more interesting hybrid stories in 2011. Additionally, the Kia Optima hybrid might also be available in 2011, creating even more pricing competition in this space.
The 2011 BMW X6 Active hybrid was BMW's first hybrid, but was quickly followed by the 2011 BMW Active Hybrid 750.
Volkswagen will also be another newcomer to the hybrid party with its 2011 Touareg hybrid, the hybrid SUV with the greatest towing power of any hybrid.
Mercedes, on the other hand, is offering both the 2011 Mercedes S400 hybrid and the 2011 Mercedes ML450 hybrid.
And closing out the list of 2011 hybrid cars is the 2011 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid.
|
