CarsDirect Hybrid Guide

Hybrids Gain Momentum in the Marketplace
The hybrid car segment is taking off. Whether you buy a hybrid because you want to save gas-money or because you want to save the world, the good news is that there are an increasing range of options. From compact sedans to luxury SUVs there is a hybrid for every taste. You should know that, other than the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight, which are hybrid-only models, most hybrids are special trims or styles of an existing model.

See a complete list of current hybrid vehicles and learn from real hybrid owners at GreenHybrid.com

How It Works
Hybrid systems come in different flavors, but most power their engines with a mix of gasoline and electrical power. This mix of power sources solved the battery-recharging issues that prevented widespread acceptance of purely-electric vehicles in the 1990s. The electrical power is stored in batteries that are charged partly by the gas motor but also, ingeniously, by the energy released when you apply the brakes on your car.

Different amounts of electrical power are used at different speeds. At higher speeds, for example, the electric motor is just chipping in, while at lower ones it may take over entirely. A dashboard display will tell you how much power is coming from each source as you go faster and slower, which savvy drivers use to see which speeds get you the best fuel efficiency.

Benefits
Savings
Hybrid models generally get 50-75% better gas mileage than comparable gas-only models. This translates into fewer trips to the fuel pump, saving you money, and less pollution in your community. If the environmental benefit is enough for you, read no further. But if you are considering a hybrid in order to save money, you should compare your potential gas savings with the premium manufacturers charge for their hybrid models and trims. That premium ranges between $3,000 and $6,000.

Some hybrid owners have complained that they don't attain MPGs posted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but manufacturers contend that consumers have to adjust to driving in a gasoline/electrical power environment. This has been borne out in the press including a recent article in The Wall Street Journal.

Performance
Electric-powered motors offer some performance enhancements to their gasoline companions, as well. You'll notice that some hybrids, like the Honda Accord's hybrid trim and the Lexus RX400h, boast better horsepower than their non-hybrid kin. On the Mercury Mariner, the engine on the hybrid trim shifts up and down more smoothly, thanks to an electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission (eCVT) that coordinates the power flow from gas vs. electric.