A look at the current crop of hybrid-electric vehicles reveals a wide variety: everything from compact sedans to full-size SUVs. These green machines are not only environmentally oriented, offering improved gas mileage especially on the highway. They’re also very family-friendly.
Hybrid-Electric Cars:
2008 Toyota Prius
The 2008 midsize Prius 4-passenger hybrid (base sticker prices from $21,100-$23,370) functions like a normal family sedan, and gets EPA-estimated fuel economy of 48 mpg city/40 mpg highway. A special powertrain combines an electric motor with an internal combustion gasoline engine, while regenerative braking captures energy. Features include push-button start, standard power windows/locks, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, high solar energy-absorbing glass, eight air bags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control, tire-pressure monitor, and available stability control.
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
The 2008 compact 5-passenger Civic Hybrid family sedan (base sticker price of $22,600) features a gasoline engine matched with a magnet electric motor, continuously variable transmission (CVT), regenerative brakes, ABS, eight air bags, automatic climate control, full array of power accessories, quality audio and lots of storage. Certified an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Civic Hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 40 mpg city/45 mpg highway fuel economy.
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
The AT-PZEV CARB-rated 2008 Altima Hybrid is a midsize 5-passenger family sedan that offers a sporty ride, high fuel economy (with EPA-estimated 35 mpg city/33 mpg highway), and a comprehensive list of standard safety items: ABS, traction/stability control and eight air bags. It’s eco-friendly due to its gasoline engine and electronically controlled CVT, plus electric drive motor/generator and regenerative brakes. But options are pricey, added to the base sticker price of $25,170, and it’s only available in eight California-level-emissions states.
2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Besides being eco-friendly, the 2008 Camry Hybrid 5-passenger sedan is safe, practical and affordable. As a top-of-the-line Camry trim, it comes fully loaded with convenience features, including complete safety equipment (ABS, traction/stability control, tire-pressure monitor, etc.). The seamless and efficient hybrid gasoline-electric combination also delivers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg city/34 mpg highway and an AT-PZEV rating. And the Camry Hybrid’s quiet, roomy interior is very family-friendly for a base sticker price of $25,350.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
With its base sticker price of $22,790, the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid offers comfortable seats, quiet interior and electrically-assisted gasoline engine, but it doesn’t yet have the GM 2-mode hybrid system, which it could use to boost acceleration and improve both fuel economy (now at an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway) and emissions (currently a Low-Emission Vehicle). Stability/traction control, six air bags, ABS and OnStar are standard.
2008 Saturn Aura Hybrid
The midsize Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid is a 5-passenger sedan with a low $22,790 base sticker price, and ABS, stability/traction control, six air bags standard, plus several convenience features. Its electric motor/generator and gasoline engine result in an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway, and the hybrid is classified as a Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV). Like the Malibu Hybrid, it doesn’t yet have the GM 2-mode hybrid system.
2008 Lexus GS 450h
The 2008 compact, 5-passenger, rear-drive Lexus GS 450h offers a hybrid powerplant, high-output electric motor, gasoline engine, regenerative braking, Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating, 22 mpg city/25 mpg highway EPA-estimated fuel economy, vehicle dynamics system with stability/traction control, ABS, run-flat tires, 10 air bags, heated/cooled leather seats, backup camera, Bluetooth connectivity, moonroof and more. The 2008 Lexus GS 450h has a $54,900 base sticker price.
2008 Lexus LS 600h L
The top-priced hybrid sedan has to be the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L with all-wheel drive (AWD)— with its $104,000 base sticker price. For that you get a lot of standard luxury/technology features and safety equipment, along with a nice array of packages for customizing. Rated SULEV, the hybrid achieves an EPA-estimated 20/22 mpg (don’t forget, it’s equipped with a V-8 engine). Besides 10 air bags, ABS and stability/traction control, there’s also power stability suspension, premium audio, navigation system and more.
Hybrid-Electric SUVs:
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD/4WD
The compact, 4-door, 5-passenger Escape Hybrid crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is comfortable, roomy, has eco-friendly seats, and generous cargo space with 60/40 rear seats folded. Available in FWD or 4WD, the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid has two electric motors and a gasoline engine, with an improved software control system for better transition between gasoline/electric operations. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 34 mpg city/30 mpg highway (FWD) and 29 mpg city/27 mpg highway (4WD). It also meets SULEVII and AT-PZEV standards. Base sticker prices: $26,505 (FWD)/$28,555 (4WD).
2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD/4WD
Essentially identical to the Ford Escape Hybrid, the compact 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is available in 2WD or 4WD, with two electric motors and a gasoline engine, and regenerative braking allowing travel up to 30 mph on battery power alone. Meeting SULEV II and AT-PZEV standards, fuel economy is estimated at 34 mpg city/30 mpg highway (2WD), and 29 mpg city/27 mpg highway (4WD). Availability is limited to California residents. Base sticker prices: $26,120 (2WD)/$28,630 (4WD).
2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2WD/4WD
Also sharing the same platform and powertrain as the Ford Escape Hybrid, the 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid compact CUV is available in FWD or 4WD. Its hybrid power is derived from the Toyota Synergy system. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 34 mpg city/30 mpg highway (FWD), and 29 mpg city/27 mpg highway (4WD). ABS, side and curtain air bags and a tire-pressure-monitoring system (but no stability control) are standard. Base sticker price is $27,195.
2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD
Toyota claims its Highlander Hybrid 4WD is a fully functional family midsize CUV that’s also eco-friendly. It’s available with 5- or 7-passenger seating, including front buckets. With loads of standard safety equipment, including ABS, side curtain air bags for all three rows, driver’s knee air bag, electronic stability control and backup camera, the hybrid also boasts a V-6 engine and three electric motors. Base sticker price is $33,700. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 27 mpg city/25 mpg highway.
2008 Lexus RX 400h 2WD/4WD
A true luxury hybrid CUV, the car-based midsize 2008 Lexus RX 400h is available in 2WD or 4WD, at base sticker prices starting at $41,280-$42,680. The RX 400h includes full power accessories, adaptive front lighting, power moonroof, voice-activated navigation system with backup camera, adaptable cargo area, nine air bags, ABS, electronic stability/traction control, 18-inch wheels and an advanced gasoline/electric drivetrain. Meeting SULEV standards, the EPA-estimated fuel economy is 27 mpg city/24 mpg highway (2WD), and 26 mpg city/24 mpg highway (4WD).
2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid
The 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line is an affordable (base sticker price $24,795), 5-passenger compact CUV that has a European-feel interior, standard full power accessories, OnStar, satellite radio, ABS, stability control and six air bags. The gasoline/electric power system, however, cannot operate completely on electric power, as some competitors can. Vue Green Line reportedly gets the much more efficient GM 2-mode hybrid system for 2009. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg city/32 mpg highway.
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 2WD/4WD
Chevrolet’s full-size 8-passenger SUV, the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid, available in 2WD or 4WD and capable of towing 6000 pounds, is eco-friendly as well, due to the efficient GM 2-mode system. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway (2WD), 20 mpg city/highway (4WD). This top-of-the-line Tahoe has numerous standard safety features including electronic stability control, parking assist with rearview camera, and technology/convenience items such as OnStar, navigation/hybrid display system, and Bose audio. Base sticker prices: $50,490 (2WD), $53,295 (4WD).
2008 GMC Yukon 1500 Hybrid 2WD/4WD
Tahoe Hybrid’s twin, the 2008 GMC Yukon 1500 Hybrid, available in 2WD or 4WD, gives consumers the agility of a full-size SUV and a hybrid’s effective performance. The patented GM 2-mode hybrid system, along with the internal combustion V-8 engine, provides efficient, eco-friendly driving—in luxurious style. Everything from leather appointments to a navigation display and backup camera are standard. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway (2WD), 20 mpg city/ highway (4WD). Base sticker price: $53,945 (2WD), $53,775 (4WD).
