Hybrid Car Review

Sizing up reviews for hybrid cars

Hybrid cars come in all shapes and sizes, including everything from two-seat sporty hatchbacks to full-size hybrid SUVs. This ConsumerSearch report covers hybrid hatchbacks and sedans, while a separate report covers hybrid SUVs and crossovers.

Even after a big year for hybrid redesigns in 2010, plenty of new hybrid cars hit the market in 2011. These include the sporty two-seat 2011 Honda CR-Z (Base MSRP: $19,345 to $19,727), the fuel-efficient midsize 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (Base MSRP: $25,795), an entry-level luxury hatchback, the Lexus 2011 CT 200h (Base MSRP: $29,120 to $30,900), as well as the ultra-luxury 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 (Base MSRP: $102,300 to $106,200) and 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid (Base MSRP: $95,000). As these new models indicate, automakers have carved out various niches that appeal to different types of consumers. As the hybrid car segment has evolved, carmakers have started competing with each other within these different subgroups.

For instance, the well-known 2011 Toyota Prius (Base MSRP: $21,650 to $28,790) and the 2011 Honda Insight ( Base MSRP: $18,200 to $21,490) are aerodynamic hatchbacks that achieve some of the highest fuel economy numbers around while being moderately priced and practical rides. On the other hand, hybrid cars like the 2011 Lexus LS 600h (Base MSRP: $111,350) and the 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid aren't intended to achieve out-of-this-world fuel economy, but aim to blend the highest levels of luxury, brand cachet and performance driving with hybrid technology. Furthermore, many hybrid cars take the form of more conventional models that can be optioned with a hybrid powertrain to reduce fuel consumption, like the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Base MSRP: $28,600), 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid (Base MSRP: $23,950), and 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid (Base MSRP: $26,800).

The 2011 model year also marks the availability of a new type of hybrid car: the plug-in hybrid. This type of powertrain has larger batteries that can propel the car for longer distances under electric power. Though some would say that the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (Base MSRP: $40,280) isn't strictly a plug-in hybrid based on the details of the powertrain, it essentially is one in the way it functions: The Volt has a battery large enough to power the car for about 40 miles, depending on driving conditions, and a gasoline engine kicks in to power the car's electric motors when the battery has been depleted. The benefit of this type of system is that drivers use less gas and save money on fuel. The upcoming 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid (Pricing not yet announced) is just like the ordinary Prius, but its larger-capacity Lithium-ion battery allows for about 15 miles of silent electric motoring. See our full report on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt (Base MSRP: $40,280) and our preview report of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid (Pricing not yet announced) to learn more about these special hybrid cars.

Reviews for new hybrid cars are plentiful and can be found in the most respected sources for automotive reviews. Edmunds.com and ConsumerReports.org are the most comprehensive and revered sources for automotive reviews, providing detailed reviews and information on the latest models. ConsumerReports.org also has data that is hard to find elsewhere, including reliability history and owner satisfaction. Both of these sources recognize various models as their top choices within their class, based on a variety of factors.

Enthusiast magazines and online automotive sites also provide useful reviews on the latest hybrid cars, which can take the form of typical road tests and head-to-head comparison tests. Car and Driver, Inside Line, and Popular Mechanics are good examples of these types of sources. Inside Line has a long-term car log which has tested some hybrid cars for extended periods, providing a real-world perspective of reliability, livability and fuel economy. Many sources annually give awards to their favorites, like Automobile Magazine, Kelley Blue Book, ConsumerGuide.com, and Motor Trend. Sites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds.com also have cost-of-ownership information which can be particularly useful for hybrid-car shoppers trying to determine how much money they'll save in the long run.

Safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are crucial to consider as well. Furthermore, hybrid shoppers will find the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a useful source, as it provides the fuel economy ratings for all new cars.

Of paramount concern to hybrid-car shoppers is whether they will actually save money with a hybrid when compared with their closest gasoline-powered counterparts. The biggest two factors in saving money through owning a hybrid come down to the price premium paid for the hybrid option (as hybrid engines usually cost more) and how much more fuel efficient the hybrid powertrain is when compared to the gasoline option. A hybrid car with a small price premium that gets high mileage is optimal for saving money. See our section titled "How long does it take to recoup the extra cost of a hybrid car?" for a detailed analysis on recent studies on the topic.

As of this writing, there are no longer any government incentives for buying hybrid vehicles, but electric vehicles (which is the category the Chevrolet Volt technically falls under) have their own new incentives.

Hybrid power: the technology and alternatives

The popularity of hybrid cars rises and falls with the price of gasoline, but some consumers are turning to hybrids as a way to boost fuel economy, cut emissions and demonstrate their respect for the environment. More automakers are developing new hybrid cars to meet current and future demand. Technology varies and evolves, but the term "hybrid" refers to a vehicle that supplements a gas engine with an electric motor.

Hybrid cars use less fuel and emit less pollution than gas-only cars. They use battery packs to store electrical power to ease the load on the fuel-consuming engine. There are now three types of hybrid cars available: parallel hybrids, mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Full hybrid drivetrains can power a car solely on electrical power, while mild hybrids must always use the gas engine to propel the vehicle. Mild hybrids aren't quite as fuel-efficient as full hybrids, but they are cheaper to produce and can be cheaper for consumers. Plug-in hybrids are a new type, and they allow you to plug the vehicle in to recharge the battery while the car is parked, which allows for more miles of electricity-powered driving (and better fuel economy).The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In is the only model that operates like this, though the new Chevrolet Volt has similar technology but is driven primarily by an electric motor that can be recharged by a gasoline engine.

All hybrid cars will automatically shut off the gas engine under certain conditions, such as when the vehicle comes to a stop.

Full hybrids include all Toyota/Lexus hybrids, Ford hybrids, the 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid, and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Full hybrids get the best fuel economy, led by the top-selling hybrid car on the market, the Toyota Prius, which delivers an EPA-estimated 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway. Mild hybrids include the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid , the 2011 Honda Insight, and the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S400 (Base MSRP: $91,000).

Hybrid cars are not the only fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles available, and options for nonhybrid vehicles are better than ever. The newest crop of economy cars, like the 2011 Hyundai Elantra (Base MSRP: $14,830 to $19,980), 2012 Ford Focus (Base MSRP: $16,640 to $19,670) and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze (Base MSRP: $16,275 to $21,975), get gas mileage that is comparable to many hybrids, but they don't have the price premium and extra weight that often comes along with hybrid powertrains. Also, diesel-powered models offer plenty of power and smoothness while also getting excellent gas mileage (but often have a price premium as well).

For instance, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra, the best reviewed economy car, gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 33 mpg in combined driving. Compare that to the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid, which gets 31 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 34 mpg in combined driving when equipped with the six-speed manual. Similarly, the 2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI (Base MSRP: $22,760), a highly rated diesel-powered hatchback, gets an estimated 30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, and 34 mpg in combined driving. Again, these fuel economy numbers are comparable to what many hybrid models can achieve.