Hybrid Cars

Toyota Prius C Hybrid Car Test Drive and Review

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I see a soaring hang glider as I look up through the sunroof of this sporty hybrid. This new Prius c is a pleasure to drive along the cliffs of Pacific Coast Highway overlooking the ocean. This hybrid has handled well through sharp turns, accelerating quickly on to freeways, and hitting the brakes hard when some nut cuts me off in heavy traffic. After 130 miles of mixed driving, I am getting 48.1 MPG, averaging 33 miles per hour, and staying in electric-motor only mode 20 percent of the time.

New Ford Electric Car and Hybrid Car Choices

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With gasoline prices over $4 per gallon in many states, Ford is rolling out a variety of exciting hybrid cars and electric cars. In April, consumers will start buying the new Ford Focus Electric. Yesterday, I rode in this beautiful compact hatchback. This year, Ford will also offer other exciting hybrids and plug-in hybrids all using lithium batteries: C-MAX Energi, C-MAX Hybrid, Fusion Energi, and Fusion Hybrid.

Toyota Prius C – Best Hybrid Car Under $19,000

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We can finally get a new Prius for under $19,000. At 50 miles per gallon (mpg) overall, you can face down record gasoline costs with fewer trips to the pump. The newest member of the Toyota Prius family went on sale on March 12. This new compact Prius uses the same fuel-efficient hybrid Synergy drive as its classic midsized cousin and is at least $4,000 less expensive to buy. Prius continues to be the world’s best-selling fuel-efficient vehicle, with more than 3.5 million vehicles sold worldwide. Since its U.S. introduction in 2000, Prius – when compared to the average car – has saved American consumers an estimated $2.93 billion in fuel costs.

Ford Fusion Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid for Best Sedan MPG

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The new Ford Fusion gives car owners unprecedented choice in powertrains and fuel economy. The Ford Fusion can be offered with an efficient EcoBoost engine or as a hybrid with better mileage than any midsized sedan or as a plug-in hybrid that allows many trips to use zero gasoline. Classic styling, smooth driving, and excellent fuel economy come together in this new five-passenger midsized sedan. Market research revealed that 2 out of 3 U.S. shoppers, before buying, consider a midsized sedan, SUV, or liftback.

Kia Optima Hybrid Car Test Drive and Review

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It’s an ideal California day for this test drive of the Kia Optima Hybrid. As the day warmed, we would be able to open the sunroof, even though it is January. The drive will combine city streets, freeway acceleration, hill climbing, and navigating curves over steep cliffs descending to the ocean. It will be interesting to compare this to my test drives of other midsized hybrids including the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Ford Challenges Toyota in Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Cars

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Here at the LA Auto Show, car buyers are paying a lot of attention to midsized and compact sedans and crossover SUVs. For years, Toyota Motor Corporation has dominated with car buyers that want “all of the above,” first with its classic Prius, and now with over a dozen hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars. Toyota Prius V challenged by Ford C-MAX Hybrid for crossover SUV mpg leadership. 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid now gets better mileage than Ford Fusion Hybrid. New plug-in hybrids include Prius Plug-in, C-MAX Energi, and rumors of Camry Plug-in Hybrid and Fusion Plug-in Hybrid.

Electric Cars Compete with Natural Gas and Diesel for Green Car of the Year

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On November 17 the 2012 Green Car of the Year® will be announced by Green Car Journal at the LA Auto Show. This year’s five finalists include the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, 2012 Mitsubishi i, 2012 Toyota Prius v, 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, and 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI. I have been impressed with my test drives of these cars. All will be available for dealer sales by January 2, 2012.

New 2012 Electric Cars and Hybrid Cars at LA Auto Show

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As many as ten battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars selling for under $40,000 will be at this year’s LA Auto Show, open to the public November 18 to 27. The most groundbreaking categories, when it comes to technological advancements, continues to be the hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle categories. The Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt were the early movers in the electric car category, but now a whole pack of EV’s are entering production and will be available at dealerships soon. On display will be the Mitsubishi’s all-electric i, which boasts 112 MPGe and has a single-charge range of 85 miles starting at $29,195, over $5,000 less than the popular Nissan LEAF.

Lexus RX 450h – Excellent Hybrid SUV with Optional AWD

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Now you can have an excellent SUV without sacrificing premium features, comfort and good fuel economy. The Lexus RX450h is a stylish 5-seat, 5-door, SUV that delivers 28 miles per gallon (mpg) city, 32 highway, and 30 overall. For an extra $1,590 you can get the all-wheel drive (AWD) version for better handling on snow and ice and still get 28 city, 30 highway, and 29 overall. The FWD 2011 Lexus RX 450h has a suggested starting price of $44,735 and the 2012 are $500 higher.

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