So before you rush to your dealer, try researching on the different hybrid cars available in the market today. At the very least, compare hybrid cars using several factors.

We can start with some of the hybrid cars models currently available and are worth comparing. There is the Toyota Prius, the Honda Insight, the Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Honda Accord Hybrid. These are the four major hybrid cars available at dealers in your place today.

Your choice is also much improved with the availability of the Ford Escape Hybrid. This was the first hybrid SUV available. But you also have a choice with Lexus RX 400h, Toyota Highlander and the Mariner Hybrid.

First consideration is the mileage

Vehicles sold in the United States to day, on the average, gets a combined highway and city EPA fuel usage estimate of some 20.4 miles per gallon (mpg). All hybrid cars, hard as you compare, have EPA number well above than what specified earlier.

Honda Insight was particularly manufactured to obtain the best mileage, making it the undisputed leader in terms of gas mileage. The traditional manual transmission hybrids have EPA estimates of 60 mpg in the city and 66 mpg on the highway. The automatic version on the other hand has transmission rated slightly lower at 57 city/56 highway.

The second best choice is the newest version of the Prius at 60 city/51 highway. It can be seen that the city estimate is higher than the highway estimate due to this hybrid car’s capacity to operate on battery power alone at low speeds.

The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid was available with a manual transmission that was rated at 46 city/51 highway; the automatic at 48 city/47 highway. Hybrid sedan is rated at 25 city/28 highway.

Compared with other hybrid cars, SUV’s, like GS450h, get the lowest gas mileage of the hybrid vehicles. The Ford Escape on he other hand is rated at 36 city/31 highway. This is much better than a non-hybrid Escape that is only rated at 22 city/25 highway.

Size does matter

Another point to consider if must compare hybrid cars is the size. With earlier models, hybrid cars only came in two sizes. First is the small sized vehicle. The second is the much smaller one. But hybrid manufacturers are learning to respond with the consumer’s specific needs. And because these manufacturers somehow know that the consumers had learned how to compare hybrid cars, all of them are putting some improvements.

But let’s go back to the size consideration.  When considering size of a particular hybrid car number of passengers and typical loads you may be transporting.

The Honda Civic Hybrid is a compact sedan. It has five seats and has a general is outside look comparable to that of non-hybrid Civic. The interior is the same size, although the trunk of this hybrid is slightly smaller to accommodate the battery. For 2006 edition, it was redesigned, and now has a more slender and sporty overall look.

The Prius 2000-2003 models have 5 passenger compact capacity, and was redesigned in 2004 and evolved into a mid-size category car. This comparatively larger edition includes a versatile hatch back.

The Price

For price, below is a means to compare currently available hybrid cars. It’s not a clear-cut pricing table, but at least you have an idea.

> 2006 Toyota Prius, $21,2745
> 2006 Honda Insight, $19,330 manual transmission; $21,530 for automatic
> 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, $21,850
> 2007 Lexus GS 450h, $54,900
> 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid, $25,900
> 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid, $30,140

For SUV: 
> 2006 Ford Escape hybrid begins at $27,515 for the two-wheel drive version and $28,595 for four-wheel drive.
> Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid SUV (summer 2006) $23,995.
> 2006 Lexus RX400h $49,060.
> 2006 Mariner Hybrid $29,840
> 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid $33,030 for the two-wheel drive; $34,430 for four-wheel drive.

The Look

The last consideration is the appearance. You can choose a hybrid car that looks like the other available models, or you may want to be totally different. Anyway, this one of the few reasons why hybrids are hot today and was able to penetrate the American market successfully within a short period of time.

Post from: Hybrid Cars

The Most Effective Way To Compare Hybrid Cars

But, hey, why buy hybrid cars anyway?

Less resistance to air drag

This is also known as the concept of aerodynamics. A vehicle with designs that allows moving through air effortlessly is easily the least expensive in terms of fuel consumption.  Studies had shown that about half of the energy needed to move a car traveling in a highway is used up by aerodynamic drag.

Car designers have a plethora of techniques for making vehicles glide more easily down a windy highway. Today’s more efficient hybrid cars use some of these strategies. To buy hybrid cars meant therefore, as to look for these characteristics.
 
A hybrid car eats up less air conditioning fuel

Looks like to buy hybrid cars means also to more efficient on air condition. Latest results from valuations of hybrid cars signify a drastically less consumption of fuel while car air condition is open.  “Hybrids got 15 to 27 percent lower fuel economy with the air conditioning on,” according to Jim Francfort, main investigator at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, under the U.S. Department of Energy.

For five years now, Francfort has been evaluating hybrids. When he first came across with hybrid cars in 2001, he was astounded.   While testing the Honda Insight and the first generation Toyota Prius (Two hybrids first introduced in the U.S.) Francfort realized immediately the future of these cars. He reportedly said, “It was a new technology and we were trying to learn. We thought we needed to do more tests to understand the impacts on fuel economy, based on how hybrid owners actually drive their cars.”

Low emission level

And of course, to buy hybrid cars means to help the environment. Hybrid vehicles are low emission and fuel efficient. These are some of the characteristics that top the list, actually. Why this is so? A hybrid car recharges its battery while running. This removes the need for regularly plugging the car for an electricity outlet.

Super Ultra Low-Emission Vehicles emit 90 percent of cleaner emission than average new 2002 model car.  Ultra Low-Emission Vehicles however, are cars that emit 50 percent cleaner emission, much lower than a new 2001 model car. Zero-emission cars however, belong only to the family of pure electric vehicles. But they are much expensive to produce, and proved to be impractical as drivers needed to plug these cars regularly.

Also at present, people who would buy hybrid cars will benefit from the Federal State tax deductions. Buying hybrid cars is encouraged because of the long term benefits of minimized fuel usage. Other tax deductions for hybrid car are also available. Some cities several free parking areas for low-emissions vehicles owners.

These efforts seem to be not lost to Americans.  According to an online survey conducted by a research center, ninety percent of the respondents surveyed indicated a willingness to buy hybrid cars the next time they need one. Provided, however, that these cars are comparable in look with they currently own.

In this marketing study, about 46 percent of male respondents and 36 percent of female respondents strongly believed that these hybrid vehicles will perform comparably to all-gasoline vehicles. For these respondents, this is the most important factor. The concern for model, style, and features in these hybrid version is important for female respondents (49 percent), and 35 percent important for male respondents.

Only a handful of respondents, about 10 percent of those surveyed said they would buy hybrid cars with different style, while only 16 percent are willing to compromise on performance features, like horsepower and acceleration.

For price, however, the respondents are willing to compromise. When they’re asked what they would be most willing to sacrifice for more efficient fuel usage for the environment, a common characteristics of hybrids, 45 percent of the respondents indicated the willingness to pay $1,000 to $2,000 or higher for their new hybrid vehicles.

Post from: Hybrid Cars

Should I Buy a Hybrid Car?