USED CARS - Hybrid Cars Reviews

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Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Hybrid Cars Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Guide to today's hybrid cars & SUVs Editors of Consumer Reports Mar. 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. The 2007 buyer's guide does not include the Saturn Aura, although Consumer Reports did test the Saturn Vue Green Line and other new-for-2007 hybrids.
2. Consumer Guide.com	The Consumer Guide to Hybrid Vehicles Editors of ConsumerGuide.com Not Dated		This Consumer Guide landing page provides an overview of hybrid vehicles, a brief synopsis reviews of what’s available and links to full reviews of each. The site rates vehicles on aspects from acceleration to cargo space, and those ratings are compared to the average score of similar cars. Crash test data and warranty information are also displayed. A report on actual, observed mileage is provided, and that’s especially helpful in evaluating hybrid cars. Among vehicles with an optional hybrid drivetrain, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord earn a Best Buy rating. The Saturn Aura earns a Recommended rating from editors.

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

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Hybrid Cars Ratings Comments on Reviews

3. 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 covers a battery of performance measures, including 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 lauded overall, 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, but trunk space is a bit smaller than the gas version.
4. Edmunds.com	Hybrid Center -- New Car Reviews for 2007 Editors of Edmunds.com Not Dated		Editors at Edmunds.com have created a class especially for hybrid vehicles. All hybrid cars are listed, along with editorial reviews and customer ratings. The 2007 Honda Civic hybrid wins awards as both Editors’ and Consumers’ "Most Wanted." Other awards include the "Lowest True Cost to Own," which is shared by the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid. Although we appreciate the detailed individual reviews for these models, cars are not compared in head-to-head tests.
5. IntelliChoice.com	2007 Best Overall Values of the Year Editors of IntelliChoice.com Not Dated		IntelliChoice uses a number of criteria to predict which vehicles will have the lowest cost of ownership. This year more hybrids than ever win awards. For 2007, the Honda Civic Hybrid wins as Best Overall Value of the Year in the compact category. The Toyota Prius wins in the midsize category. The Ford Escape Hybrid wins in the small crossover class. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD and 4WD win as the best-value mid-sized crossovers. 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, and the reviews themselves aren't very detailed.
6. Kiplinger Personal Finance >> Details/Subscribe	2007 Cars: Top picks Editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Nov. 2006		Kiplinger's annual auto issue factors in 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 like Kiplinger's focus on the cost of ownership. The Toyota Prius wins the "Most Fuel-Efficient" award, and the Saturn Aura wins "Best New Car."
7. CNet.com	Editors' top hybrid cars Editors of CNet.com Updated June 19, 2007		CNet.com, a site better known for its reviews of consumer and computer technology, has begun delving more heavily into automobiles, with an emphasis -- naturally enough -- on the technology they use. Cars are tested and rated, with the best choices listed on this landing page that includes links to full reviews. The 2008 Lexus LS 600h, 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid and 2007 Lexus GS 450h 4dr Sedan hybrid get the highest scores. Among other top choices, the 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid is called a compelling choice among hybrids. The 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid is described as a "formidable" competitor to the Toyota Prius, with excellent fuel economy, but editors add that this car lacks power. We’d rate CNet.com higher, but their top hybrid car list includes several older cars.
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 of driving. 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 five years from now. If saving money is your primary reason for considering a hybrid, this article may cause you to reconsider.

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

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Hybrid Cars Ratings Comments on Reviews

9. Car and Driver >> Details/Subscribe	Lexus RX400h AWD - Long Term Road Tests Andre Idzikowski Apr. 2007		In this long-term review, Car and Driver tested a $50,000 Lexus RX400h for two years, noting that is was popular for magazine staffers planning long trips due to a comfortable interior and great engine power. However, the RX failed to deliver the EPA rated 31 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Car and Driver averaged only 24 mpg over 40,000 miles. They conclude that it does not make sense to pay the extra money for the hybrid Lexus RX400h.
10. Road & 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 Lexus GS 450h. They praise it for a good service record so far. 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 claim that road trips with more than three people have required travelers to consider buying and discarding clothing along the way. In addition, the CVT transmission is not well liked by all drivers, although some think it is "neat." Overall fuel economy has been only 25 mpg.
11. Boston.com	Saturn's green light Royal Ford Nov. 26, 2006		Reviewer Royal Ford of Boston.com reports a tested six-mpg fuel savings in driving the Saturn Vue Green Line vs. the standard Vue model, which he claims is impressive, especially considering the low cost of the mild hybrid system and the low overall cost of a Vue Hybrid. Ford also praises the Vue in general. In his experience, the Vue behaved much like a normal four-cylinder SUV, having no trouble maintaining highway speeds and passing other cars easily. He considers the Vue to be a good value and is impressed with the low starting price.
12. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	Fleet Update: 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Neil G. Chirico Not Dated		This review is the first report in a long-term test of the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The tested Camry currently has about 8,000 miles on it. They call it their "fuel-mileage champ" and rave about specific long-trip fuel-economy data. However, the article's side-bar reveals that Motor Trend's overall mileage during the test has been 32.1 mpg, nowhere near the 38/40 EPA rating. In a "feel good" moment, one editor quips, "It doesn't matter if you get 35 or 40 mpg, it's way better than most cars of this size and power output."
13. 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 he claims that a senior marketing manager at Nissan has actually stated that Nissan "is being cautious." Swan did not like the Altima Hybrid very much, stating that there is no breakthrough technology. Swan also indicated that its mileage was "dismal” during their testing, and he did not like the trunk at all, claiming luggage space is cut in half.
14. InsideLine.com	Full Test: 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Donna DeRosa June 18, 2006		The managing editor of InsideLine reviews the 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 60 mph. Also, during their city driving test they were very careful with the gas pedal and never exceeded 45 mph. More revealing is that InsideLine's overall mileage was only 32.6 mpg, which is nowhere close to EPA estimates. DeRosa likes the Camry Hybrid, and notes that it looks identical to the non-hybrid Camry and that it feels adequately powerful.
15. Edmunds.com	Nissan Altima Hybrid Review Editors of Edmunds.com Apr. 2007		In this review of the Nissan Altima Hybrid, Edmunds.com editors claim that the Altima Hybrid should be considered by buyers wanting the fuel-saving benefits of Toyota's hybrid technology in conjunction with the sporty driving dynamics of a Nissan. They claim that fuel economy is practically identical to the Toyota Camry Hybrid -- better than that of the Honda Accord or Saturn Aura hybrids. Edmunds.com does not like the backseat or trunk of the Altima Hybrid.
16. 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. It is also eligible for a $1,300 federal tax credit.
17. Automobile Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Silent Savings Kevin A. Wilson May 30, 2006		Automobile magazine writer Kevin Wilson claims that if a potential hybrid owner is primarily interested in saving money and reducing fuel consumption, not just in bragging rights, then the Saturn Vue Green Line might be the thing. Wilson felt that the Vue Green Line was satisfactory in his testing, and he was impressed with the Vue's combination of utility, price and fuel economy. He claims that techies and hard-core environmentalists won't be satisfied, however.
18. Motor Trend >> Details/Subscribe	Newcomers: 2007 Saturn VUE Green Line Greg N. Brown Not Dated		This review explains that GM plans to soon offer 13 hybrids, using three different types of hybrid technology by the end of the decade. The system found in the current Saturn Vue and Aura is the simplest. These vehicles use a belt-driven electric motor and a large battery, and they are the lowest-cost hybrids. The Vue is the least costly hybrid SUV. Fuel economy is 20-25 percent better than the gasoline version.
19. Road and Travel.com	2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Martha Hindes Not Dated		Reviewer Martha Hindes of Road and Travel describes the Saturn Aura as a "svelte newcomer" and loves its sports sedan tendencies. The Green Line hybrid version is noted by the reviewer to be a mild hybrid, but it is priced low enough to be attractive to many buyers, while having the size and driving characteristics of a European sports sedan. Hindes praises the 28 mpg/city and 35 mpg/highway EPA mileage estimates and concludes that with a $1,300 one-time federal tax credit, its price is very appealing.
20. Sacramento Bee	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, but Glover cautions buyers to do their math if they are seeking payback through fuel savings. He does like the fact that the Altima Hybrid still qualifies for a $2,350 federal tax credit. 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.
21. USA Today Magazine	Hybrid's got power, space at not-too-premium price James R. Healey Sept. 16, 2006		USA Today reviewer James Healey claims that GM thinks the public will be satisfied with hybrid vehicles that are reasonably priced, without delivering the very best fuel economy numbers. He describes the Saturn Vue Hybrid as a "less-complicated" hybrid priced about $2,000 more than a standard gasoline version of the Saturn SUV. In his test of admittedly hard suburban driving, he averaged 19 mpg. However Healey reassures the reader that no other tester has gotten such poor mileage, and that independent testing company AMCI averaged 29.7 mpg in mixed driving. There are lots of things about the aging Vue platform that Healey does not like, but he concludes that a simpler, cheaper hybrid is a good idea.
22. 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 article is actually comprised of two head to head comparisons. In the first, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid square off. The article describes in detail the improvements found in the 2006 Civic Hybrid, including noteworthy new developments, such as the complete deactivation of the cylinders under certain load conditions and a new high performance setting for Honda's i-VTECH engine. The Civic still falls short in fuel economy and power, however, and Motor Trend declares the Prius the victor by a knockout. In the second comparison, the 2007 Camry Hybrid handily defeats the Honda Accord by providing lots of power in an environmentally friendly package that Motor Trend says delivered 40 mpg in freeway driving and 30 mpg in urban settings in its tests.
23. InsideLine.com	Honda Accord and Toyota Camry: Hybrids for Ozzie and Harriet Jim Motavalli Mar. 31, 2006		In this comparison of the 2006 hybrid version of the Honda Accord and the 2007 Toyota Camry, reviewer Jim Motavalli says that while Honda emphasizes performance, the Toyota is all about economy. Motavalli compares the Camry's zero-to-60 time of 8.9 seconds to the Accord's 6.9 seconds. However, while the Accord is faster, the Camry achieves much better fuel economy. Other observations about the two include a stiffer ride for the Accord and better handling for the Camry. Motavalli also likes the Camry's roomier interior, ultimately rating it above the Honda Accord Hybrid.

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

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Hybrid Cars Ratings Comments on Reviews

24. Cars.com	First Drive: 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Editors of Cars.com May 2007		The editor that tested Saturn's Aura midsize sedan notes that it shares its hybrid drivetrain with Saturn's Vue Green Line. He notes that the Aura's EPA mileage matches the Honda Accord Hybrid but falls short of the hybrid version of the Toyota Camry. The suspension provides a comfortable ride and sporty handling, and if the driver did not know that the Aura was a hybrid, he or she might not realize it except for the engine shut-off feature when the car is stopped.
25. AutoMedia.com	2007 Ford Escape Hybrid Gary Witzenburg Oct. 2006		Editor Gary Witzenburg of Automedia.com points out that the Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid SUV and the only hybrid offering four-wheel drive. Witzenburg says that the driver will note engine shutoff during deceleration, but that the braking effect from shutting down the engine during deceleration will probably not be noticed. He likes the Escape Hybrid, claiming that it will do everything the V6 gas model does -- with the exception of matching its towing capacity.
26. Business Week >> Details/Subscribe	Ford's Entry-Level Hybrid SUV Thane Peterson Jan. 18, 2006		Thane Peterson drove the Ford Escape Hybrid through the poor visibility conditions of an east-coast snowstorm, conditions that he thought were ideal for SUV testing. Mileage for 189 miles of snow driving was 24.3 miles per gallon. Although this is far short of the EPA estimated 36 miles per gallon highway, he did achieve 30 miles per gallon in mixed highway and backroad driving, and 33 mpg in city driving. Although Peterson did not also test the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, he concludes that the Escape is the better bargain. Peterson does point out that the Escape hybrid does not have the quality and reliability reputation of the Toyota and that the Highlander Hybrid earns better J.D. Power quality ratings than the Escape Hybrid.
27. Automobile Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	2006 Honda Civic Hybrid Marc Noordeloos Apr. 2006		In this review, Marc Noordeloos drove the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid over 200 miles of mixed driving, measuring real-world fuel economy at 38 miles per gallon. This does not compare well to EPA ratings of 49 mpg/city, 51 mpg/highway. However, Noordeloos claims that these figures are still impressive. This review is rather short, and there is little in the way of comparisons to other hybrid cars, other than the writer’s claims that the Civic enjoys better control and ride than the Prius. Overall he likes driving the Honda Civic better than the Toyota Prius.
28. ForbesAutos.com	Honda's Hybrid Remade Jim Gorzelany Sept. 07, 2005		In this article, the comments of veteran automotive writer Jim Gorzelany are generally favorable, although Gorzelany does point out some cons, including the Honda Accord Hybrid's poor acceleration and speed. He notes that the new Civic is larger in every dimension than the earlier version. In addition, the Civic's new powertrain generates more power, while also achieving better fuel economy and emissions. Overall Gorzelany is pleased with the Civic, describing it as meeting real-world expectations.

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

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	USED CARS - Hybrid Cars Ratings Comments on Reviews

29. GoSammy.com	Are Hybrid Cars Merely a Statement? Sam Lu Apr. 29, 2007		Canadian blogger Sam Lu went hybrid shopping and came home later to do research. Lu wanted to determine whether hybrids make sense, putting together a detailed spreadsheet of fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, annual fuel cost, etc. Unfortunately he used current U.S. EPA numbers and failed to use the more accurate numbers that take effect for 2008. His comparison is interesting but a bit flawed. Lu dubs the Accord hybrid and Aura hybrid as "hype" since he does not like the fact that the hybrid version of these cars does not get better city mileage than highway. He does not apply this standard to the Civic hybrid, however. He also fails to note that almost all hybrids do get significantly better overall economy than their gas-only counterparts.