So, you've decided that
you want to do something to help reduce foreign
oil-dependency, or to help the environment? Maybe you're
just a technology buff and you believe that hybrid
cars are a bridge to fuel cell vehicles?
The point is, you
have your reasons for buying a hybrid, but not all
hybrid vehicles address those issues equally. The Hybrid
Cars Buying Guide is here to help.
So, why do you want a hybrid? That's one of the
more important questions to ask when you are considering
a hybrid purchase. Probably the second most important
question to consider when buying a hybrid vehicle is, in
what kind of conditions will you be driving your hybrid?
Finally, are you looking for a hybrid car, a hybrid
sedan, a hybrid SUV, or a luxury hybrid?
For example, in terms of
driving conditions, if you are
mostly a highway driver, then some hybrids address that
type of driving better than others. On the other hand,
if your commute is made up of stop-and-go urban driving,
then other hybrids offer a better solution.
Fuel Economy
If you want to use as little gas as possible, then the Toyota
Prius or the Honda
Civic hybrid are best. Of course, both the Toyota
Camry hybrid and the Nissan
Altima hybrid are not too far behind.
Each of these hybrid vehicles look
very different and they feel very different. The Civic
and the Prius hybrids are in the same relative price range,
as are the Camry and Altima hybrids.
The Prius is a
bit of a better performer, at least in terms of pure
fuel efficiency, compared to the Prius, especially in city driving or any form
of stop-and-go congestion.
The Prius, and all
Toyota hybrids, have larger hybrid batteries than Honda
hybrids, making them
capable of using only electric power at lower speeds.
This is what helps make the Prius, and all Toyota
hybrids, so efficient in congestion. It also makes them
extremely green.
Since CO2 emissions are
the worst when idling in stop-and-go traffic,
full hybrids pollute very little in these conditions
because they essentially shut down.
This is why the Prius has become such a big hit with
environmentalists. It achieves incredible fuel economy
and an unbelievable reduction in CO2 emissions.
While the second generation Civic hybrid did increase
the size of its hybrid batteries, it still offers less
electric power than the Prius. Nonetheless, if you drive
mostly on the highway - or at least at a consistent
speed, then the Honda Civic hybrid is a
worthy Prius challenger.
Recently, tax credits
for the Prius fully expired.(Join
our campaign to increase Toyota's tax credits). So,
if the tax credit is an important concern, then you
might consider the Civic hybrid. However, the Civic
hybrid tax credit will be cut in half as of January 1st
2008.
If you need a little
more performance, a little more pizzazz, then the 2nd
tier of hybrid vehicles in terms of fuel economy, the
Altima Camry hybrids, might be your better choice.
Both the Altima hybrid
and the Camry hybrid provide excellent city fuel
economy.
The
Camry hybrid, for example, was built upon the redesigned 2007
Camry, but the hybrid Camry offers fuel efficiency that is 25 - 30% better
than the conventional Camry.
The same is true of the
Nissan Altima hybrid.
Both the conventional
Camry and the hybrid Camry were named Motortrend's
Vehicle of the year for 2007 - if you need a little more
incentive.
Unfortunately, the Altima is only available in a handful
of states, so it won't be easy to find, and maintenance
will also be an issue if you live outside the selling
area.
However, the
Altima hybrid will qualify for the full clean vehicle
tax credit, unlike the Camry. So, again, if the tax
credit is important, then maybe the Altima hybrid is a
better choice.
Other hybrid sedans
The Honda
Accord hybrid is a different breed of hybrid,
but it is best of breed when it comes to Accords. The Accord hybrid is faster, more
powerful, and significantly more fuel efficient than its
conventional cousin. In urban, stop-and-go traffic,
however, the
hybrid Accord is the least efficient of all the hybrids.
This hybrid is a purely a highway vehicle.
Unfortunately, the
Accord hybrid is being discontinued.
GM now offers the Saturn
Aura hybrid and will soon offer the Chevy
Malibu hybrid. Both of these hybrids are mild hybrid
vehicles, meaning that they cannot be powered on
electric power only. Both only provide a minimal
increase in fuel economy, however, each offer the best
fuel economy of any Aura or Malibu, respectively.
If fuel economy is your
main priority, then neither the Malibu hybrid, nor the
the Aura hybrid are best buys. However, if you like the
Aura or the Malibu, then the hybrid versions at least
offer a fuel economical option.
