Some great hybrid vehicles are available in 2012
February 15, 2012
Every year more and more great hybrid cars join the hybrid vehicle segment, and make picking the best hybrid an even more difficult endeavor. Still, there are some clear winners in this fuel efficient segment.
Of course, it's not always just about saving money. Style. Performance. Safety. All of those factors also play an important role in selecting a quality car, and all of those factors were part of our selection process in picking the 2012 best hybrid cars available today.
--> See the best 2012 hybrid city cars slideshow
But, before we get started with our selections, let's lay down a key ground rule. Since hybrid cars offer the most bang for the buck for urban drivers, we're primarily focused on city cars, or hybrids that especially excel at city driving conditions, particularly congestion and stop-and-go driving, limited parking, etc.
Thus, some great hybrid vehicles might not make our list, such as a few outstanding hybrid sedans, but that's life in the city.
Now, let's get back to the best of 2012.
Money is almost always an object; however, for our first pick, let's assume money isn't as much of an object and focus on the luxury segment. In that segment our first pick is the Lexus CT 200h.
Not only is the Lexus CT 200h one of the most well designed Toyota cars, but our favorite Lexus. It's compact size and hatchback functionality fit the city so well, and the fuel economy is outstanding for a luxury vehicle. Packaged in Lexus style and reliability, the CT 200h is easily one of the best hybrids of 2012.
If the CT 200h is a bit too small for your tastes, we'd suggest the Lexus RX 450h -- a perenial favorite of the likes of Kipplingers for instance -- or the Lincoln MKZ hybrid. While the Fusion hybrid, sucks up all of Ford's hybrid hype, the Lincoln is a sharper looking ride. For the money, it might be the best looking hybrid of 2012, and it packs fuel efficient power.
But, let's say you need more utility, more space for your city lifestyle. Then it's all about the Toyota Prius V. It's everything hybrid buyers love about the Prius, just in a bigger package. And considering that the Ford Escape hybrid is being discontinued, the V is the only other option for a versatile -- pun intended -- cost-effective city hybrid in the utility segment.
Yes, we know there are other large hybrid SUVs, but they're too big for the city. If you don't like the V, then we'd again suggest the RX 450h.
Anything bigger, however, just doesn't make sense in an urban lifestyle.
But let's get to the segment that matters most: cost-effectiveness.
If it all boils down to dollars and cents, it's hard to look past the Honda Insight hybrid. It's simply the cheapest hybrid and offers the best cost of ownership. Unfortunately, it's not our favorite.
The Toyota Prius is still a significantly better hybrid than the Insight, and when you factor in the much greater passenger and cargo room offered by the Prius, the better ride quality and the much better city fuel economy, the Prius offers more bang for the buck despite its greater price.
Overall, the Prius -- the conventional one -- is the best of 2012 hybrids.
When it comes to city hybrids, Toyota dominates. We could try to make excuses, or throw in some extra picks just to make things interesting, but why?
There are a lot of great hybrid vehicles out there, but we're only focused on the best hybrid cars of 2012 -- those with the best combination of total cost of ownership, safety, style and performance, particularly for city drivers.
Fortunately, 2013 could shake this list up a bit. With hot new hybrids, such as the VW Jetta hybrid, Toyota Prius C and Ford C-Max on deck, the 2013 choices will be even more difficult to make.
--> See the best 2012 hybrid city cars slideshow
Posted by dahcredyns, aka Chad Snyder.
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