Hybrid Cars
\You hear the word HYBRID all the time. But what does it really mean? A hybrid is the combination of two or more things. One example is the new hybrid vehicles that combine a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The vehicle can run using three different types of power:
| POWER | WHEN IT'S USED | BENEFITS |
| ELECTRIC MOTOR | AT LOW SPEEDS | NO EMISSIONS BECAUSE IT'S RUNNING ON ELECTRICITY |
| GAS ENGINE | AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS | THE ENGINE ALONE TAKES OVER IF THE HYBRID BATTERIES NEED TO CHARGE |
| COMBINATION OF ELECTRIC MOTOR & GAS ENGINE | AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS | THE ELECTRIC MOTOR HELPS THE GAS ENGINE OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY, REDUCING FUEL USE |
| Sort by: | Name |
Combined MPG  |
Type | MSRP | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Toyota Prius
The number-one selling hybrid car. The Prius is nearly synonymous with "hybrid." |
46 MPG | Sedan | $20,900 | Now |
 |
Honda Civic Hybrid
Fuel efficiency, full-hybrid system, and a sleek design. |
42 MPG | Sedan | $22,600 | Now |
 |
Nissan Altima Hybrid
The Altima Hybrid is essentially a Toyota hybrid wrapped in Nissan’s attractive packaging. |
34 MPG | Sedan | $25,100 | Now |
 |
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The hybrid version of the Camry beats the fuel efficiency of the V6 version by 10 mpg. |
33 MPG | Sedan | $25,200 | Now |
 |
Ford Escape Hybrid
The overall most fuel efficient SUV. |
32 MPG | SUV | $26,300 | Now |
 |
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Slightly upscale version of the Ford Escape Hybrid. |
32 MPG | SUV | $27,000 | Now |
 |
Mazda Tribute Hybrid
The 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid is basically a re-skinned Ford Escape Hybrid, using the same powertrain and many of the same interior bits. |
32 MPG | SUV | n/a | Now |
 |
Lexus RX 400h
Everything a luxury SUV buyer seeks—in a greener package. |
26 MPG | SUV | $42,000 | Now |
 |
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
More affordable than the Lexus RX400h, more powerful than Ford's hybrid SUVs, and more efficient than GM's full-size SUV hybrids. |
26 MPG | SUV | $33,700 | Now |
 |
Lexus GS 450h
Race-car-like acceleration, luxurious appointments, and half-way decent fuel efficiency. |
23 MPG | Sedan | $54,900 | Now |
 |
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
A new breed of full-size SUV that is significantly greener than its gas-powered counterparts |
21 MPG | SUV | $50,500 | Now |
 |
Lexus LS 600h L
The Lexus LS 600h L is the most bizarre and misguided hybrid. |
21 MPG | Sedan | $104,000 | Now |
 |
Chrysler Aspen Hybrid
A hulking 5.7-liter V8 Hemi hybrid. |
n/a | SUV | n/a | 2008 |
 |
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
The first eight-passenger luxury SUV hybrid. An odd mix of self-indulgence and green. |
n/a | SUV | n/a | 2008 |
 |
Dodge Durango
It's a hemi hybrid. Lots of power and towing capacity. And the gas mileage doesn't completely suck. |
n/a | SUV | n/a | 2008 |
 |
GMC Sierra Hybrid
Could break the 20-mpg mark to become the most efficient full-size pickup. |
n/a | Pickup | n/a | 2008 |
 |
Saturn Vue Green Line
Two-Mode
The Two-Mode Hybrid version of the Saturn Vue will become the most efficient SUV on the market. Expected late 2008. |
33 MPG | SUV | n/a | 2009 |
 |
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
GM phased out the ultra-light hybrid pickups that produced a 10-15 percent increase in fuel economy to make room for a full-hybrid version of the Silverado, which goes into production in late 2008. |
n/a | Pickup | n/a | 2009 |
 |
Hyundai Accent Hybrid
Hyundai delayed development of its $15,000 45-mpg subcompact until 2009, at the earliest. |
n/a | Sedan | n/a | 2009 |
 |
Honda Global Subcompact
Hybrid
A small, practical, affordable and entirely new hybrid-only model from Honda. |
n/a | Sedan | n/a | 2009 |
 |
BMW X6 Hybrid
An SUV that has crossed over into sports car territory |
n/a | SUV | n/a | 2010 |
 |
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid achieving better than 24 miles per gallon compared with less than 18 mpg for the conventional model. |
n/a | SUV | n/a | 2010 |
 |
Mercedes S400 Hybrid
This eco-chic luxury sedan could be the first production vehicle with a lithium ion battery. |
n/a | Sedan | n/a | 2010 |
 |
Ford Reflex
Concept sports coupe marries 1.4-liter turbo-diesel engine, with Ford's hybrid drive. |
n/a | Coupe | n/a | Concept |
 |
Mercury Meta One
A hybrid transmission with a twin-turbocharged V-6 diesel engine calibrated to run on biodiesel. |
n/a | Van | n/a | Concept |
 |
Toyota Volta
Before the Chevy Volt, there was the Toyota Volta—a super-hip and speedy concept hybrid from Toyota. |
n/a | Coupe | n/a | Concept |
 |
Toyota Sienna Hybrid
Toyota offers a hybrid minivan in Japan. Thousands of families are waiting for that option in the United States. |
n/a | Van | n/a | Concept |
 |
Toyota Hybrid X
The Hybrid X is a design exercise indicating the general visual direction of Toyota's hybrids. |
n/a | Sedan | n/a | Concept |