Best Hybrid Car
So, you want to know what is the best hybrid car.
(1) However, to answer your question, you have to know your reasons for buying a hybrid car because not all hybrids address those issues equally. This is one of the more important questions to address when you are considering buying a hybrid car.
(2) The second most important question to consider is what kind of conditions will you be driving your hybrids.
(3) Lastly are you looking for a hybrid sedan, a hybrid SUV or a luxury hybrid?
Fuel Economy
If you want to use as little gas as possible, then the Toyota Prius or the Honda Civic Hybrid are the best, followed by the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Nissan Altima Hybrid.
The Civic and the Prius hybrids are in the same relative price range, whilst the Camry and Altima hybrids are in the other same price range.
In terms of pure fuel efficiency, especially in city driving or in a traffic congestion situation, Toyota Prius, like all Toyota hybrids, have larger hybrid batteries and thus making them capable of using only electrical power at lower speeds. Therefore the Prius is a bit of a better performer in terms of pure fuel efficiency.
The Prius is also a big hit with the environmentalists because being a full hybrid it pollutes very little. The CO2 emissions are tremendously reduced.
Honda Civic Hybrid however is a better choice if you drive mostly on the highway or at a consistent speed.
The 2nd tier of hybrid vehicles in terms of fuel economy, the Nissan Altima Hybrid and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, provide excellent city fuel economy as well. Both the conventional Camry and the hybrid Camry were named Motortrend’s Vehicle of the year for 2007.
Tax credits for Toyota Prius expired fully recently. So, if the tax credit is an important concern, then you might want to consider the Civic hybrid. However, the Civic hybrid tax credit will be cut in half as of January 1st 2008.
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.
Top 5 Hybrid Cars for 2008
Other Hybrid Sedans
The Honda Accord hybrid is a different breed of hybrid. It is 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.
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 is definitely a fuel economical option over that of the conventional model.
So can you decide which is the Best Hybrid Car?
