Most Popular Hybrids

[Monster]

With gas prices dropping (finally) and considering the price of these cars, I wonder how long they will continue to be developed and purchase by dollar thrifty consumers. I'd rather have a new Camaro SS or Mustang GT for that money.

Here are the top 10 most popular hybrids;

1. Toyota Prius
Fuel Range: 45 Hwy/48 City
MSRP: $22,000 - $24,270
Invoice: $20,680 - $22,276
This front-wheel drive, five-door liftback is a gas-electric hybrid.

2. Honda Civic Hybrid
Fuel Range: 45 Hwy/40 City
MSRP: $23,550 - $23,550
Invoice: $21,675 - $21,675
This hybrid is based off the regular gas-powered Civic.

3. Toyota Camry Hybrid
Fuel Range: 34 Hwy/33 City
MSRP: $26,150 - $26,150
Invoice: $23,534 - $23,534
Another front-wheel drive four-door sedan that seats five passengers that comes standard with Hybrid Synergy Drive, a combination electric motor/gasoline engine fitted with an efficient, continuously variable transmission.

4. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Fuel Range: 25 Hwy/27 City
MSRP: $34,700 - $41,020
Invoice: $31,230 - $36,712
Another gas-electric hybrid engine that is only available in an all-wheel drive configuration, based on the popular Highlander SUV.

5. Saturn VUE Hybrid
Fuel Range: 32 Hwy/25 City
MSRP: $27,930 - $27,930
Invoice: $26,115 - $26,115
This one is a compact SUV that accommodates five passengers and has a regenerative nickel metal hydride battery pack in conjunction with either a four-cylinder or a V6 direct injection engine.

6. Ford Escape Hybrid
Fuel Range: 31 Hwy/34 City
MSRP: $29,305 - $33,385
Invoice: $27,112 - $30,826
This hybrid system provides a new, larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine linked to an electric motor.

7. Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 22 Hwy/21 City
MSRP: $50,455 - $53,260
Invoice: $46,923 - $49,532
GM's advanced 2-mode hybrid system conserves energy by using an electrically variable transmission, a 300-volt storage system and a 332-hp 6.0L Vortec V8 engine with Active Fuel Management and is able to accelerate using only the electric motor.

8. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Fuel Range: 34 Hwy/26 City
MSRP: $25,555 - $25,555
Invoice: $24,149 - $24,149
The Malibu Hybrid utilises GM's "mild hybrid system" which uses a belt-alternator starter (BAS) to assist the gas engine and is built on the same platform as the Saturn Aura Green Line.

9. Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 31 Hwy/34 City
MSRP: $29,750 - $31,500
Invoice: $27,543 - $29,135
It uses a new, larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine linked to an electric motor.

10. Mazda Tribute Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 30 Hwy/34 City
MSRP: $25,310 - $29,570
Invoice: $23,680 - $27,653
The Tribute's hybrid drivetrain generates 155 net horsepower and is controlled by a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Source: AOL Autos

What do you guy's think ?

[squirrel]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

I think they're great, and you should get all your friends to buy them. Then the price of gas will continue to drop or stay where it is at least...and we can drive our hot rods with impunity.

[CTX-SLPR]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

My favorite hybrids aren't on the list. Then again they have nothing to do with the mpg factor really and everything to do with what Buick did in the 1980's with the Grand National and the Turbo6. Take a fuel efficient starting platform and ramp up the performance while trying to keep the economy in it. Hense my top ones are the Lexus GS and LS hybrids and the Honda Accord Hybrid. Both took the top dog V6 engine and put a hybrid electric on it for a boost in performance and in economy.

[Pumpkin]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

No thanks on the hybrid. I'll stick with the Pumpkin, smoke the tires at will around town and 26 mpg on the hwy. Got to love a 6 speed 8).

[Eric68]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

I think I will continue to run my Camaro on E85 even though E85 is currently priced a dime a gallon above 87 unleaded.

That's about as close to any hybrid as I will ever get ;D

[milner351]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

I think hybrids have a limited place, but a place none the less.

For example, the escape would make a great mail carrier vehicle - most of the time they are at idle or low speed making frequent stops - the vast majority of that time they would be on electric - as long as the operator didn't stab the throttle to the floor between houses.

I think the escape / tahoe and the like are fine for a soccer mom that doesn't stray too far from home and makes frequent stops.

For someone with a freeway commute - they just don't make much sense - to me that's where diesels really shine.

[squirrel]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

hybrids are really good for the freeway commute, if traffic is heavy. Plug in hybrids seem to be on the way, and will combine the advantage of electric (very low cost, pure electric short range travel with unlimited distance gasoline powered travel).

The payback thing is where it gets to be a challenge...batteries seem to be expensive and have a limited lifetime. We'll see how the supercap thing works out, that would help a lot.

[bobbowtie]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

hoe

[Brian Lohnes]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

wonder if they'll blow up like a transformer? I've seen two of those go, freaking scary.

Bitchin' eh?

The first time I saw a transformer go hari-kari I heard it before I saw it. The only way to describe the sound is to say it was exactly like the cheesy "electricity" sound effect that you see on television, except very much more ominous. Then the sparks and crap started shooting out.

We were some distance away so my dad and I were just kind of taking this in, meanwhile my mom was acting like it was Three Mile Island.

Brian

[squirrel]

Re: Most Popular Hybrids

If you want scary, watch lithium polymer batteries...

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=lipo+fire&search=Search

as far as I know all the current hybrids use nicad or nimh batteries.