How to pick the best Hybrid Car for you, Part 1 of 4

by: Rick Tamlin


Did you know that there are already a dozen different models of Hybrid Electric Cars in production in the U.S.?

Most people find the added information about technology and fuel economy overwhelming when they first decide to shop for a hybrid vehicle. This article will help you sort through all the techno-babble and empower you to feel confident while choosing the right hybrid car for your particular needs.

The allure of a hybrid vehicle is compelling, to say the least. While some see them as simply the latest tech gadget to brag to their friends about, more and more people are starting to come around to the fact that hybrid electric-gas cars are the future of all automobiles.

The first thing to keep in mind when starting your research is to not allow yourself to feel bogged down by all the information. There are really only a few hybrid cars out there that are right for you, and we'll easily cut through the majority of them in no time.

Do you prefer Compacts? Mid-sized coupes? SUV's? Trucks? Luxury sedans? The initial offering of hybrid vehicles for 2007 includes at least one car line in each of those categories, so surely you shouldn't have to compromise your preference.

The current category breakdown of hybrid electric-gas production models in the United States are as follows:
(in no particular order)

SUVs: (27-36 MPG)
* Lexus RX 400h
* Toyota Highlander
* Ford Escape
* Mercury Mariner
* Saturn VUE Green line

Luxury Sedan: (28 MPG)
* Lexus GS 450h

Mid-size (family) Coupes: (25-60 MPG)
* Toyota Camry
* Honda Accord
* Toyota Prius (Pronounced Pree-yus)

Pickup Truck: (21 MPG)
* Chevy Silverado

Compacts & Minis: (51-60 MPG)
* Honda Civic
* Honda Insight

Also, let's add one non-hybrid honorable mention to this list, the ZAP Smartcar, which is not really a hybrid, but we should included it here because of its' unmatched fuel-sipping EPA rating of 69 miles per gallon on the highway. We'll delve into the smartcar more later, but rest assured that these are some exceptional little cars that you'll be seeing more of on the road in 2007.

So that's it. Twelve hybrids and one high-mileage 'streetcart.'

All thirteen are legal on U.S. roads, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Which to choose? You'll first have to pick a car type, based upon your preferences. We will then drill down further to your perfect ride once you've chosen.

In the next 3 installments of this series on hybrid electric vehicles, we will do just that, drill down in great detail so that there will be no guesswork when it becomes time to choose your dreamcar.


About The Author

Rick Tamlin is a mechanic and hybrid tech enthusiast who has put together the most detailed comparison chart for Hybrid car shoppers. For more information, visit the Hybrid Electric Car network at: Http://www.hybrid-electric-cars.net.