Hybrid Cars Reviews

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Hybrid Cars Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Hybrid Cars Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Guide to today's hybrid cars & SUVs Editors of Consumer Reports Dec. 2007		Consumer Reports tests and rates dozens of cars and trucks each year for safety, reliability and performance. It then picks a handful across various vehicle categories to recommend. Consumer Reports ranks highly with us because its editors include data from an annual reader survey reporting on reliability and overall owner satisfaction. Editors, however, do not test performance in as much detail as the automobile-specific reviewers.
2. Consumer Guide.com	Consumer Guide to 2008 Hybrid Vehicles Tom Appel Mar. 2008		This article gives a brief overview of hybrids and then lists the lineup for 2008 with links to individual Consumer Guide reviews. Consumer Guide editors rate vehicles on acceleration, fuel economy, ride quality, steering/handling/braking, comfort, quietness, controls, materials, roominess, cargo space and value within class. Crash-test data and warranty information is also displayed. While we like the individual reviews, editors don't compare vehicles. Among vehicles with an optional hybrid drivetrain, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and Lexus LS 600h L earn a Best Buy designation, but the hybrid models are not reviewed/rated independently of their gasoline counterparts. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Saturn Aura Green Line earn a Recommended designation.
3. Edmunds.com	Top Recommended Hybrids Editors of Edmunds.com As of Apr. 2008		Editors at Edmunds.com have created a class especially for hybrid vehicles. All hybrid models are listed, along with editorial reviews and customer ratings. Only a handful of the 2008 hybrid sedans have editor ratings – the Civic and Prius both receive a 7.8 out of ten, while the Altima Hybrid finishes a bit lower. Although there are detailed individual reviews for these models, cars are not compared in head-to-head tests.
4. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	Comparison: 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid vs. 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line vs. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Kim Reynolds Not Dated		Motor Trend analyzes the features, performance and mileage of these three midsized hybrid sedans, as well as the economics of owning each one. The Altima bests the Camry, if only because it calculates out as more economical to own due to still earning a federal tax credit. The author also cites its "fun-loving chassis" as an advantage. Still, Reynolds notes that the availability of the Altima is limited to the states with strictest emissions laws. The Aura comes in last in the comparison despite its lower price point, due to its lack of power and poor mileage results. Although this review compares 2007 models, none of the three have seen major changes for the 2008 model year, so the opinions are still valid.
5. Automobile.com >> Details/Subscribe	2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid vs. Saturn Aura Green Line vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid Comparison Test Editors of Automobile.com June 17, 2007		This comparative test pits three of the top hybrid sedans against each other: the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid, the 2008 Saturn Aura Green Line and the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Editors praise the Aura's good looks and "fresh, clean styling" as well as its lower price. But they criticize its mild-hybrid technology and resulting middling fuel economy (really not better than a 4-cylinder gasoline engine), as well as its slow acceleration. The Camry sports a "futuristic" interior and instrumentation panels, but is the "smoothest and most refined hybrid" the editors tested. The Altima is described as "the hybrid for gearheads" with slightly lower mileage than its more sedate cousin, the Camry. They praise its handling, ride quality and stability and the integration of the hybrid drivetrain with the rest of the car. The editors award first place to the Altima, followed closely by the Camry.
6. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	Road Test: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2006 Toyota Prius & 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid vs. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Kim Reynolds Not Dated		This comparison pits the Prius versus the Civic, and the Camry versus the Accord. The Prius has peppier acceleration and handling than the Civic and gets better mileage. The Camry is more fuel-efficient than the Accord. The review's main knock on the Accord is that it is too much sports car and too little fuel-sipper. Honda discontinued the Accord Hybrid in 2007.
7. Kiplinger Personal Finance >> Details/Subscribe	The Best Cars for 2008 Mark Solheim & Jessica Anderson Mar. 2008		Kiplinger's annual auto issue factors insurance, service costs and resale value over both two and four years, along with other financial aspects of car ownership. Although side-by-side tests are not performed, we appreciated Kiplinger's focus on the cost of ownership. In the $20,000 to $25,000 "sweet spot" range, the Chevy Malibu earns both Best New Car and Best In Class (they point out that the 4-cylinder Malibu LT gets close to the fuel economy of the hybrid version). The Toyota Prius earns Most Fuel-Efficient with 48 mpg for in-town driving. In the $25,000 to $30,000 category the Nissan Altima Hybrid wins the fuel-sipper award.
8. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Special Report: The dollars and sense of hybrids Editors of Consumer Reports Sept. 2006		Editors at Consumer Reports factor cost of ownership, fuel savings and tax rebates to determine whether buyers recoup the price premium paid for a hybrid car. Theoretical calculations are made for a five-year period of ownership and 75,000 miles. Only four of the seven hybrid cars tested by the magazine manage to save owners money in the long term, and this calculation is based on an assumption that gasoline will cost $6 a gallon by 2011. If saving money is your primary reason for considering a hybrid, this article may cause you to reconsider.
9. IntelliChoice.com	Best Overall Values of the Year -- 2008 Editors of IntelliChoice.com Feb. 2008		IntelliChoice uses a number of criteria to predict which vehicles will have the lowest cost of ownership and factors that heavily into its Best Overall Values awards. The Toyota Prius was named the Best Overall Car under $24,000 for the third consecutive year. The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid won Best Overall Value of the Year. We appreciate this site's careful analysis, which also allows the consumer to see how earlier models rate for retained value and actual operating costs, but it can be a bit confusing to sort through all the award categories.

Hybrid Cars Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Hybrid Cars Ratings Comments on Reviews

10. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year: Toyota Camry Editors of Motor Trend Nov. 2006		Each year, Motor Trend looks at newly introduced and significantly changed vehicles for its Car of the Year award. Testing at Motor Trend includes a battery of performance measures, comfort, build quality and styling. However, the editors only compare cars that are new to the market or recently redesigned within the preceding year. This limits the article's scope considerably. The Toyota Camry is praised overall as the 2007 Motor Trend Car of the Year, and the hybrid version is no small part of the reason. In brief tidbits at Motor Trend, writers claim that little to no sacrifice is necessary when carrying passengers or cargo in the hybrid version, but trunk space is a bit smaller than the gas version.
11. Edmunds.com	Full Test: 2008 Lexus LS 600h L – Lexus builds a hybrid luxury liner with more spark than bite John Pearley Huffman Apr. 19, 2007		As "the world's first politically correct luxury automobile," the LS 600h L disappoints the author on several fronts. With a base price of roughly $104k, the market for this V8 hybrid sedan is the upper echelon, people who have wealth and would otherwise choose 12-cylinder luxury sedans from Mercedes, BMW or Audi. The author points out that its near-twin, the non-hybrid Lexus LS 460 L, or the slightly smaller GS 450h hybrid are more economical and more environmentally friendly choices overall.
12. Edmunds InsideLine.com	First Drive: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu – Chevy Delivers on the Hype Daniel Pund Nov. 1, 2007		This review of the new-for-2008 Chevy Malibu says the short answer is "It's good." Built on the same chassis as the Saturn Aura, Chevy has devoted resources to minimizing noise, vibration and harshness, which the author claims it has achieved. However, its steering still falls short of natural-feeling. The mild-hybrid option is the same powertrain as the Saturn Aura Green Line and in the author's opinion, does not offer a lot of efficiency improvement considering the price tag (which is, he notes, almost offset by federal tax breaks). The Malibu is not compared or rated against other hybrids, however.
13. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	Fleet Update: 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Neil G. Chirico Not Dated		This review is a first report in a long-term test of the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The tested Camry currently has about 8,000 miles on it. The article's side-bar reveals that Motor Trend's overall mileage during the test has been 32.1 mpg. The Camry isn't compared or rated against other hybrid cars here.
14. Automobile.com	2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Road Test Kevin Wang Dec. 2007		Wang describes the Civic Hybrid as "following closely" after the Prius in fuel efficiency and "the most affordable [hybrid] of all in America." In his 65 miles, Wang achieved 50 mpg, which falls just between the old and new (2008) EPA mileage ratings. He goes on to describe the hybrid system's technology. When considering the Civic Hybrid's features, Wang finds it "surprising" that the base model truly is that - there are no LX or EX features on the car. The Civic Hybrid distinguishes itself with its spoiler, roof-mounted antennae and other exterior cosmetic features.
15. Cars.com	Best bets for hybrids Joe Wiesenfelder Mar. 11, 2008		Cars.com editor Joe Wiesenfelder explains that ratings are based primarily on reliability (as assessed by Consumer Reports and J.D. Power) along with safety scores, and all cars have been test-driven by an editor. Topping the ratings on this list is the Honda Civic Hybrid, based on its crash-test and reliability scores. Rated as "Cars.com's 2008 Best Car for Green Drivers," the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a good choice for those looking for something nicer than the smaller "less refined" Prius. Still, the Prius is "still the best hybrid for people who just plain want to burn less gas."
16. USA Today Magazine	Test Drive: Altima hybrid offers a carload of fun, some shakes James Healey July 2007		Healey describes the results of his test drive of a 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid. One of the big negatives is that you have to purchase the Altima in one of the eight states with the most restrictive emissions guidelines (you do not have to reside there, though). A positive is the large ($2,350) tax credit still offered on the Nissan, no longer available on the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Healey praises the car's nimble and sporty handling and exciting performance. He criticizes the engine shakes that occur as the gas engine kicks in. He achieved 32 mpg in town.
17. Business Week >> Details/Subscribe	High Marks for Saturn Aura Hybrid Thane Peterson July 2007		The author is impressed with the Saturn Aura's affordable price point. He does point out one big criticism of the Aura: it's a mild hybrid, not a full hybrid like the Honda and Toyota sedans. It gets decent mileage (28 mpg/city, 35 mpg/highway), but not as good as its full hybrid competitors. Peterson points out that the Aura has hardly any available options.
18. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	First Test: 2008 Lexus LS 600h L Ron Kiino Not Dated		This review praises the luxurious appointments and formidable power of Lexus' new hybrid luxury sedan, and focuses on the creativity and technology of Toyota in creating this high-end hybrid marvel. A notable sidebar focuses on the full electric option that the LS 600h L offers under certain conditions (temperature, battery charge, vehicle speed, etc.)
19. Road and Track >> Details/Subscribe	Long-Term Update: 2007 Lexus GS 450h Jonathan Elfalan May 2007		Road and Track is about 60% done with their long-term test of a 2007 Lexus GS 450h. They praise it for a good service record so far, although it has cost $940 for maintenance costs over only 21,258 miles. This real-world test has made it clear that the loss of luggage space for batteries is considered by testers to be a major inconvenience. Road and Track editors suggest that road trips with more than three people may require travelers to consider buying and discarding clothing along the way. The CVT transmission also is not well liked by all drivers, although some think it is "neat." Overall fuel economy has been only 25 mpg.
20. Car and Driver >> Details/Subscribe	Nissan Altima Hybrid - Short Take Road Tests Tony Swan Apr. 2007		In this review of the Nissan Altima Hybrid, editor Tony Swan characterizes the Altima as a cautious "me-too," and claims that a senior marketing manager at Nissan has actually stated that Nissan "is being cautious." Swan does not like the Altima Hybrid very much, claiming there is no breakthrough technology. Swan also claims that in Car and Driver's testing its mileage was "dismal," and he does not like the trunk, claiming luggage space is cut in half.
21. Automobile.com	2008 Saturn Aura Green Line Road Test Jonathan Yarkony June 2007		A skeptical potential hybrid driver, Jonathan Yarkony finds to his surprise that he would actually save money driving the Aura thanks to government incentives. He finds the Aura quiet, but the regenerative braking system intrusive. He felt the interior options were too sparse. However, he says the layout of the interior is "simple to operate and nicely styled." The Aura isn't rated or otherwise compared to other hybrid cars, however.
22. Edmunds InsideLine.com	Full Test: 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Donna DeRosa June 18, 2006		Donna DeRosa, the managing editor of Inside Line, reviewed the 2007 Camry Hybrid and offers some fuel economy data that may serve to confuse rather than help the potential buyer. While freeway fuel economy tests were conducted, speeds were held to an unrealistic 60 mph, and during their city driving test they were very careful with the gas pedal and never exceeded 45 mph. More revealing is that Inside Line's overall mileage was only 32.6 mpg, nowhere close to EPA estimates. DeRosa likes the Camry Hybrid, and notes that it looks identical to the non-hybrid Camry and feels adequately powerful.
23. U.S. News & World Report	Car Rankings: Hybrid Cars Editors of US News and World Report Feb. 2008		US News has recently introduced this car-review section, borrowing heavily from the methodology pioneered by ConsumerSearch -- that is, the US News ratings are based on the testing of third parties. Editors boil down their research in an easy-to-read one-page report that culminates in a numerical rating. Interestingly, the editors give a solid edge to the Camry Hybrid over the Prius and other hybrid cars, but except for a single quote from Newsday, it's hard to tell why.
24. AutoWeek	2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Mac Morrison Apr. 18, 2007		In this review of the newest midsize hybrid sedan, Mac Morrison declares the Saturn Aura to be the "best sedan in the brand's history." Morrison is impressed with the value offered by Saturn's Green Line Hybrid technology. He claims it accelerates and cruises well, while delivering a 25 percent fuel economy improvement when compared to the Aura with the standard engine. No other hybrid cars are rated alongside the Aura in this article.
25. Road and Travel.com >> Details/Subscribe	2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Martha Hindes Not Dated		Reviewer Hindes of Road and Travel describes the Saturn Aura as "svelte newcomer" and loves its sports sedan tendencies. Although the Green Line Hybrid is a mild hybrid type, it is priced low enough to be attractive to many buyers, while having the size and driving characteristics of a European sport sedan. Hindes praises the 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway EPA mileage estimates.
26. Sacramento Bee >> Details/Subscribe	Nissan Altima Hybrid Review Mark Glover May 11, 2007		In this review of the Nissan Altima Hybrid, Sacramento Bee auto editor Mark Glover claims that the Altima was worth the wait. The new Nissan drives well and the price is right. However, he cautions buyers to do their math if they are seeking payback through fuel savings. Glover was disappointed in the jolts and thunks when the hybrid system switched between gas and electric, but overall he finds the Altima to be responsive and agile.
27. CNet.com	Editors' top hybrid cars Edited by Wayne Cunningham June 19, 2007		Tech reviewer CNet also covers some cars, with an emphasis on cars' tech features. Included is a hybrid-car buyer's guide, but most of the information here is over a year old. This list of top hybrids includes only one 2008 model, the highest scoring Lexus LS 600h. The 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and 2007 Lexus GS 450h also bear ratings of "spectacular."