WhyHybridCars.net
The most worthy contender for the top spot in the field of family hybrid vehicles right now is probably the Toyota Camry Hybrid. It doesn’t get the best mileage of all the possible choices, but it does deliver a ride which feels pretty close to a traditional gas-powered sedan. It’s go enough power that you feel the herky jerky stop/start motion which is the Achilles heel of some hybrids. The Camry still gets a respectable 34 mpg in mixed driving which is almost 10 mpg better than the gas powered Camry. For a car in this class that’s not too shabby at all. Toyota seems to have put a lot of effort into ensuring a steady, smooth ride and plenty of essential safety features. It comes standard with a pretty comprehensive package before you even add in the optional features. The only sacrifice you make compared to the non-hybrid Camry is in terms of trunk space. That hybrid battery hogs a little room that you would otherwise have for storage.
If you’re looking for a true gas sipper, then you still won’t beat the Toyota Prius. 46 mpg is simply far and away the best fuel economy you’re going to find in a hybrid. It also has a very respectable amount of storage space. Thanks to that hatchback design, you get ample room in the rear for your shopping bags. Even the Camry hybrid has less trunk space which is really saying something. The hatchback look also gives it a more desirable appearance that sets apart from other cars in its class. Power is the main place where the Prius still falls short. The Prius still lacks the get up and go you’d like to have in highway driving. If you’re a speed demon, you’re obviously not going to enjoy the sluggish feel of this one, but hot rodders aren’t really the target market for the Prius anyway. During street driving you’ll notice how quiet this car is. That’s a result of the electric engine which operates alone at slower speeds. The gas engine only jumps in when you speed up. The Prius also features a more spacious interior than you’ll find in competing models such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, which is quite nice if it’s being used as a family car.
Finally, we come to a model for those with more, um refined tastes. The hybrid market has finally reached a point at which its able to serve the luxury market as well. If you’ve got the money and desire for a more upscale option, then you should take a look at the Lexus GS 450h or event he lexus LS 600h. These cars stand alone in terms of quality and performance. They allow you to make a statement in favor of the environment without sacrificing the pleasure of traveling in comfortable and classy surroundings. Although the Lexus GS 450h gets a scant 23 mpg, it still boasts better mileage than other standard luxury sedans with V8 engines. Many gas powered rivals have to struggle to get 15 to 20 mpg, so this one clearly has them beat out. It also has a nice standard package which includes heated seats, wipers equipped with rain sensors, a decent nav system, satellite radio, leather seats, a top notch 14 speaker hi fi sound system. Under the hood it delivers 340 horses which means ample power.
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