Hybrid Cars: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentEdmunds.com is consistently one of the best resources for car research, as they test and have opinions on nearly every car available. In their 2011 Hybrid/Electric buying guide, they discuss the best hybrid options and give a top recommendation to the Toyota Prius, the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid. Links for each vehicle bring up the full specifications and driving impressions on each model, as well as many other models.

Our AssessmentThis reviewer chooses the 2010 Honda Insight over the 2010 Toyota Prius for its superior feeling of connectedness to the road. Both cars are given a detailed write-up, and the reviewer tests a 1998 Chevrolet Metro hatchback for comparison purposes (an older car that sips fuel like the hybrids do). Both the Prius and Insight are 2010 models in this review, but the cars are essentially identical for 2011.

Our AssessmentMotor Trend gives the Chevrolet Volt its coveted Car of the Year Award for 2011, citing its innovative plug-in electric hybrid powertrain and its ability to save consumers money at the pump. The reviewer decides that the Volt "absolutely delivers on the promise of the vehicle concept as originally outlined by GM, combining the smooth, silent, efficient low-emissions capability of an electric motor with the range and flexibility of an internal combustion engine."

Our AssessmentReviewer David Thomas drives the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, providing a detailed review that also discusses some of the Sonata's special technology. Thomas says the Sonata Hybrid is an excellent midsize hybrid that's even better than the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Toyota Camry Hybrid for a variety of reasons including "a more advanced battery pack, better mileage on the highway, a traditional six-speed automatic transmission," and its good looks.

Our AssessmentJames Riswick from Edmunds.com finds little to complain about in the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: The only niggle he has is that taller folks may find less than ample headroom in the rear seats. Otherwise, the Sonata Hybrid has quick performance for a hybrid, great ergonomics and impressive fuel economy. The conclusion is that the Sonata Hybrid "should quickly become one of the most appealing hybrid choices."

Our AssessmentIn another direct comparison between the 2010 Honda Insight and the 2010 Toyota Prius, reviewer Kim Reynolds ends up preferring the Honda Insight over the Toyota Prius for its much lower base price yet still high fuel efficiency numbers. Some of the efforts to cut costs from the Insight are apparent, like the rougher ride quality and higher levels of road noise, but overall the Insight is considered to be "perhaps the most important hybrid ever built."

Our AssessmentThis source points directly to Autoblog.com's hybrid car news and reviews. Aside from keeping readers up-to-date on hybrid news and trends, Autoblog.com also road tests many cars including hybrids. Reviews are detailed, and come in the form of quick drives, full road tests and long-term evaluations.

Our AssessmentInside Line, Edmunds' blog outlet, has many automotive reviews, comparisons and car-related blog entries. Of particular value is their extensive long-term testing, where they keep cars for around 20,000 miles and evaluate them over time. This type of testing is useful as it measures the initial dependability and overall livability of a car that cursory road tests can't provide. The editors of Inside Line have been testing a Ford Fusion Hybrid that is generally praised as being an excellent hybrid and family car.

Our AssessmentThe editors of ConsumerReports.org address a question that many economy and hybrid car shoppers ponder: Will a hybrid save me money? The editors analyze the costs associated with hybrid and diesel options -- most notably their higher base price -- as compared with the closest gasoline powered equivalent. Depreciation, fuel costs, insurance, interest on financing, maintenance, repairs and sales tax are factored in as well. The conclusion is that while a few hybrids, namely the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, are likely to save the average consumer money, many will be more expensive to run than their gasoline equivalent.

Our AssessmentThis extensive review by Cars.com writer Joe Wiesenfelder gives plenty of technical information and driving impressions of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. He comments, "At a glance, the Volt looks expensive, but once you subtract the tax credit it's not as bad. Once you compare its refinement and superior driving experience to the Prius, which itself exceeds $30,000 when loaded with features, you're closer still."

Our AssessmentKelley Blue Book' compiles a list of 10 of its favorite green cars, including many hybrid models. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, Lexus CT 200h, Honda Insight, Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius all make this list for their green credentials and impressive attributes for practicality, driving dynamics and even good looks.

Our AssessmentThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the government-run body concerned with automotive safety and regulations. For 2011, NHTSA has revamped is crash testing procedures to be more stringent and to also examine new safety technologies, like lane departure warning systems and collision prevention systems. Therefore, results for 2011 model year vehicles cannot be compared with results under the old testing criteria for models 2010 and older. The standout hybrid for 2011 models is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which scores a nearly perfect 5 star rating in front impact, side impact and rollover resistance ratings, just missing the mark by getting a 4 star rating for frontal impacts. The Sonata Hybrid is still given the highest 5 star rating for overall crashworthiness. Additionally, the Toyota Prius and Nissan Altima Hybrid perform almost as well.

Our AssessmentThe About.com Cars site, edited by Aaron Gold, provides reviews on many new cars, including hybrid models, as well as other car-related articles. This collection of best new cars in 2011 includes three hybrids: the Honda CR-Z for its handling character, the Lexus CT 200h for being an efficient luxury offering, and the Hyundai Sonata (including hybrid) for its practicality and good looks. Also included is the Chevrolet Volt, because the reviewer says he is interested in its technological advancements. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Our AssessmentIntelliChoice.com uses a number of criteria to predict which vehicles will have the lowest cost of ownership and then names the best values in its Best Overall Value of the Year Awards. For the sixth consecutive year, the Toyota Prius is named the best passenger car value. We appreciate this site's careful analysis, but award categories could be easier to navigate.

Our AssessmentEach year, GreenCar.com selects five finalists for its Green Car of the Year award, selected from all new fuel-efficient vehicles. While the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt won the top award this year, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid also made the list. The Sonata is characterized as having "high-end touches," and the Lincoln is described as "exciting, efficient, and fun-to-drive."

Our AssessmentTech review site CNET does occasionally have automobile reviews, though they put a heavy emphasis on features and available in-car technologies. This list is a compilation of hybrid models that they have rated highly, with links to full reviews that discuss the technology offerings at length. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the highest rated based on their overall 5 star rating system, garnering a 4.5 star rating; the editors call the Fusion Hybrid "both a great tech car and a great value."

Our AssessmentThis short article compares the Honda Insight against its nearest gasoline-powered counterpart, the Honda Fit. While the Insight gets better fuel economy, the Honda Fit has a lower base price that may end up meaning more savings in the long-run. The editors don't choose a winner here, but the consideration of the fundamental argument of hybrid vs. nonhybrid is something that potential buyers may grapple with.

Our AssessmentCarGurus.com, an online automotive community that also operates a blog, concludes in this article that most hybrids don't save enough in fuel costs to overcome their higher base prices. Looking at the initial purchase price, lost value in terms of depreciation and total gasoline costs, their math shows that on average, hybrids cost over 25 percent more to own and operate than their nonhybrid counterparts. The article highlights that those interested in hybrids can maximize their savings by choosing a hybrid with a lower base price and larger difference in fuel efficiency when compared to the gasoline alternative.

Our AssessmentEdmunds Inside Line compares the Chevrolet Volt to a prototype Toyota Prius PHV – a plug-in hybrid vehicle that Toyota does not yet sell but is likely to offer in late 2012. With plenty of technical background, the article reveals that the Prius consumes less energy overall, but the Volt has better performance, ride and handling. The Volt wins by less than 1 point.