Hybrid Cars

The benefits of driving green

Concern for the environment and expensive gas prices have convinced many people to switch to hybrid cars. Hybrids offer drivers efficient and innovative alternatives to traditionally fuelled cars.

Hybrid cars feature smaller, fuel-efficient gas engines combined with electric motors that assists the engine so that it uses less fuel. The electric motor is powered by a battery that automatically recharges while driving. Hybrids offer many benefits:

• Temporary engine shut-off - When stopped in traffic, the engine will temporarily shut off to save fuel. It will restart when the car is placed back into gear.
• Lightweight - Hybrids are made of lightweight materials that increase their efficiency.
• Advanced aerodynamics - The shape of hybrids are designed to reduce drag.
• Low-rolling resistance (LRR) tires - These stiffer, narrow tires have less drag.

Hybrids usually cost more than traditionally fuelled vehicles, but drivers are willing to pay the higher price with the reward in mind of better fuel economy and less money spent at the pumps. They are most beneficial to people who do a considerable amount of driving. Hybrids offer great performance, but their overall power will be less than traditional cars. Maintenance costs the same as traditional cars and many manufacturers provide extended warranties on their fuel-efficient models.

The Best Hybrid Cars

2007 was a plentiful year for hybrid cars. Toyota seemed to come out on top with their extensive line of fuel-efficient models, including the Prius, Yaris, Camry and Highlander. Based on the best-selling models, here are the top three hybrid cars of 2007:

• Toyota Prius - Its sophisticated and seamless power system allows the Prius to deliver impeccable fuel economy, making it the best-selling hybrid on the road. It drives like a dream, humming along at its top power of 110 horsepower. It delivers an amazing fuel economy of 60 m.p.g. city and 51 m.p.g. highway and produces up to 89 percent fewer hazardous emissions. Despite its small appearance it has plenty of cargo space and leg room and comes equipped with many goodies, such as keyless entry and a rear-view camera system. Base price: $22,175.
• Toyota Camry Hybrid - This best-selling family sedan is now available as a hybrid. It has all the benefits of the traditional Camry - safe, reliable, dependable, comfortable, predictable and relatively attractive - but now with the bonus of better fuel economy. The 2.4-liter engine delivers 147 horsepower, making it the zippier hybrid of the bunch, but more power means a compromise in fuel efficiency. The Camry hybrid manages 40 m.p.g. city and 38 m.p.g. highway which isn't nearly as good as the Prius. Base price: $26,200.

It used to be we could depend on the reputation and reliability of North American cars to meet our standards - but could it be the times are changing? Here in the U.S., overseas models are continuing to rise in popularity. Find out why!

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