Contents
What Is a Hybrid Car?
How Hybrid Cars Work
Types of Hybrid Cars
How to Understand Automakers’ Gas Mileage Claims
Will a Hybrid Car Save You Money?
Environmental Benefits of Hybrids
How to Buy a Hybrid Car
The Hybrid Driving Experience
Hybrid Car Gasoline-Saving Tips
Hybrid Car Maintenance
The Future of Hybrid Cars
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How to Buy a Hybrid Car
Whether you’re looking for speed, power, seating capacity, towing ability, or the best gas mileage in your neighborhood, you’ll find the right hybrid for you at your local dealership.
Finding the Right Hybrid for You
As the number of hybrid car models grows from year to year, so do the variety of options each car offers. As you begin to shop for a hybrid, consider the top two or three features that matter most to you, then focus your search on cars that offer those features. The following table specifies which hybrid might best suit you based on the particular features that are most important to you.
Issue |
Hybrids to Consider |
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Gas mileage |
The Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, and Honda Civic Hybrid currently get the best gas mileage, though new models are likely to join the list as competition among automakers intensifies and hybrid technology advances. |
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Passenger capacity |
Hybrids range from two-seaters, such as the Honda Insight, to vehicles that offer seating for seven, such as the Toyota Highlander. |
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Cargo room |
Trunk space is at a premium in most hybrid sedans, since the battery pack takes up trunk space. A hybrid SUV might be a better choice for people who need to carry a lot of cargo. |
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Low sticker price |
Not all hybrids are expensive. The cheapest Honda Civic Hybrid sells for $22,600. |
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Luxury |
The Lexus RX 400h is currently the most luxurious hybrid available, with a leather interior, touch-screen in-dash computer, and other amenities that luxury car buyers expect. |
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City vs. highway driving |
For stop-and-go traffic, consider a full hybrid such as the Toyota Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid. If you tend to drive mostly on interstates, an assist such as the Honda Accord will save you the most fuel and tailpipe emissions per mile (see Types of Hybrid Cars). |
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Towing capacity |
The Ford Escape Hybrid, which debuted as the SUV with the best fuel economy, can tow up to 1,000 pounds, enough for the average family’s camper. The hybrid version of the GMC Sierra can tow even more—up to 10,400 pounds. |
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Speed and power |
The Honda Accord Hybrid boasts 255 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds. |
Auto manufacturers are working hard to keep up with consumer demand for hybrid vehicles, and car buyers can see the benefits in the availability of hybrids to meet every need and budget. If none of the currently available models meets all of your demands, chances are that within a few years, one will.
Questions to Ask at the Dealership
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, continue your research by focusing on the details of the models you prefer. Before you make a final decision, be sure to know the following facts about each car you’re considering.
- Is the car a full hybrid, assist hybrid, or stop/start hybrid? Research your choices to find out whether they’re full hybrids, assist hybrids, or stop/start hybrids. The gasoline and emissions savings the car provides relate directly to how much work the electric motor does.
- What is the real-world fuel economy? If saving money at the gasoline pump is the top reason why you’re buying a hybrid car, find out how close the fuel economy on the sticker comes to what you can expect to get during everyday driving. In determining the average fuel economy, consider the type of driving you do and your driving style (see Hybrid Car Gasoline-Saving Tips for more info).
- What are the tax incentives? The tax credits that hybrid car buyers receive are not all the same. Ask the dealership for the details on any tax credits offered for the model you’re considering (see Will a Hybrid Car Save You Money? for more info).
- What is the emissions rating? If you’re concerned about smog or global warming, make sure to research emissions information for the hybrid models you’re considering. Several models qualify for California’s Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) label, but not all hybrids guarantee such low emissions (see Environmental Benefits of Hybrids for more info).
- Is additional maintenance required? Most hybrid cars require the same maintenance as gasoline-only cars. But a few have additional minor requirements, so be sure to research before buying.
| Acknowledgments & Disclaimer |
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