Hybrid Cars: Reviews

Updated May 2009

October 17th:
Replacement costs drop for hybrid batteries
From: Consumer Reports

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Most fuel-efficient 2009 hybrid car

2009 Toyota Prius

*Est. $22,000 to $24,270 Compare Prices

The Toyota Prius' 48 mpg fuel-economy rating is not only best in its class, it's the best available in the U.S. for the 2009 model year. The Prius is also the best-selling hybrid car in the world, having sold more than a… million cars since the original model was introduced in 1997. The 2009 Toyota Prius has more trunk space than most hybrid cars (including the Toyota Camry Hybrid), and reviewers say the unique, hatchback Prius makes a stronger environmental statement than other hybrids that are hard to differentiate from their conventional gas-powered counterparts. These benefits, however, are offset by the Prius' sluggish acceleration compared to other midsize cars. Reviewers say the Toyota Prius has a roomier interior than the Honda Civic Hybrid (*est. $23,650), and it gets better gas mileage in city driving, but two new 2010 models look to be ever better: the redesigned 2010 Prius, and the lower-priced 2010 Honda Insight (*est. $19,800 to $21,300).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds Inside Line: Editors at Inside Line compare the 2009 Toyota Prius with the 2010 Honda Insight in a well-balanced test report. The Prius has a ...

PopularMechanics.com: With good technological detail, this comparison test evaluates the 2009 Prius against the 2010 Honda Insight. The Insight hybrid ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Toyota Prius with a road-test evaluation along with reliability ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com gives the 2009 Prius a Recommended rating rather than its top Best Buy honor. Acceleration gets a low score, ...

Edmunds Inside Line: The 2009 Prius and Volkswagen Jetta TDI have very different drivetrains that both achieve outstanding fuel economy. In this ...

Cars.com: Cars.com names the 2009 Prius as a Best Bet and also Eco-Friendly Car of the Year. A detailed road-test review covers each of the ...

TheCarConnection.com: This review is a good descriptive summary of the 2009 Toyota Prius based on the writer's own test driving as well as other ...

Automobile.com: This brief report from Automobile.com (not to be confused with Automobile Magazine) is more of a descriptive summary than a road ...

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Best hybrid compact sedan

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

*Est. $23,650 Compare Prices

For those who don't like the Toyota Prius' hatchback styling, Honda offers the highly rated Civic sedan with a hybrid drivetrain. Honda's hybrid technology is a bit simpler than Toyota's, but it manages to push the Civic… Hybrid's fuel economy ratings to 40 mpg city and 45 mpg highway with its 110-horsepower gas-electric powerplant. The biggest tradeoff drivers face in exchange for that fuel efficiency is slow acceleration. Reviewers like the Civic Hybrid's interior accommodations, pleasant ride and competent handling. While not as fun to drive as some of the conventionally powered Honda Civic models, critics generally prefer the driving feel of the Civic Hybrid over the Toyota Prius. For Honda fans who want even more enjoyment behind the wheel and better utility for less money, reviews suggest the newly introduced Honda Insight hybrid (*est. 19,800 to $21,300) or the nonhybrid, yet very fuel efficient, Honda Fit hatchback (*est. $14,750 to $16,260).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds Inside Line: Inside Line pits the Civic Hybrid against the lower priced, nonhybrid Honda Fit five-door hatchback as editors seek to determine ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Civic Hybrid with a road-test evaluation along with reliability ...

USA Today Magazine: USA Today auto critic James Healey says the Civic Hybrid is more fun to drive than the Prius, although both struggle with low ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com names the Honda Civic lineup a Best Buy and includes the hybrid among four models in its evaluation. The Honda ...

Automobile Magazine: This article is more of a discussion of Honda's hybrid strategy, and if the Civic will still have a role alongside the 2010 Honda ...

MotherProof.com: Written from a typical mom's point of view, MotherProof.com covers how a car performs for a family with children. Lori Hindman is ...

San Francisco Chronicle: This thoughtful review gives plenty of driving impressions -- both positive and negative -- and makes a few comparisons with the ...

CarReview.com: CarReview.com covers all aspects of the Honda Civic Hybrid, with excellent behind-the-wheel commentary and a list of pros and ...

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Best hybrid family sedan

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

*Est. $26,150 Compare Prices

While the hybrid version of the Toyota Camry doesn't get the best gas mileage, reviewers say it rides and feels more like a standard midsize sedan and less like a low-powered compromise. In fact, drivers say it's faster… than the nonhybrid four-cylinder Camry while delivering significantly better fuel economy: The Toyota Camry Hybrid gets about 34 mpg in mixed driving versus about 25 mpg for the standard Camry. As with the conventionally powered version, Critics say the roomy Camry Hybrid is comfortable and predictable, although a bit boring to drive. Additional drawbacks are its high sticker price compared to nonhybrid family cars, as well as reduced trunk space. Strong new competitors have arrived in the form of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (*est. $27,270) and Mercury Milan Hybrid (*est. 27,500).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Car and Driver: Car and Driver's typically thorough comparison test pits four midsize hybrid sedans against each other. The Toyota Camry Hybrid ...

Edmunds Inside Line: Edmunds.com's Inside Line examines two midsize hybrids with overlapping pricing found at the Toyota store: the Prius and Camry ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Camry Hybrid with a road-test evaluation along with reliability ...

Automobile Magazine: Automobile Magazine writer David Zenlea says the Camry Hybrid's "age is starting to show" in comparison with newer cars like the ...

Detroit News: Detroit News reporter Scott Burgess says, "Out of all the hybrid cars on the road today, I like the Camry hybrid the most," ...

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com names the Camry as one of its top recommended hybrid cars. In a hybrid-specific summary review, editors are pleased ...

Cars.com: Cars.com names the Toyota Camry Hybrid a Best Bet and provides a thorough evaluation by editor Joe Wiesenfelder. He says the ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com gives the Camry model line a Recommended rating rather than its top Best Buy honor. The test-drive review ...

Motor Trend: This article is more of a discussion about the technology and driving characteristics of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Toyota ...

Auto123.com: With a headline of "Where's the Passion?", editor Marc Bouchard makes clear that he finds the driving dynamics of the Camry ...

MotherProof.com: MotherProof.com often gives useful insight into the aspects of new cars important in everyday family life with kids. Mom Lori ...

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2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid *Est. $26,650

5 picks including: Car and Driver, Edmunds.com…

2009 Lexus GS 450h *Est. $56,550

4 picks including: CarReview.com, Edmunds.com…

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid *Est. $27,270

3 picks including: Car and Driver, Edmunds.com…

2010 Honda Insight *Est. $19,800 to $21,300

3 picks including: Car and Driver, Los Angeles Times…

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid *Est. $25,555

2 picks including: Car and Driver, Edmunds.com…

2010 Toyota Prius *Est. $22,000 to $27,270

2 picks including: Cars.com, The New York Times…

2009 Lexus LS 600h L *Est. $106,035

2 picks including: Edmunds.com, New Car Test Drive…

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid *Est. $27,500

1 pick including: Car and Driver, Cars.com…