The word “Hybrid” is a more and more common word among car divers worldwide. From the Family-Friendly Prius, to the sport-tuned Tesla, they are becoming more and more prevalent on the roads today. I’m not much for green-peace, although I do believe in their philosophy for the most part when it comes to environmental issues regarding air quality. So, here are my ratings on what you should look for when you’re considering either a hybrid or an electric car.
The Toyota Prius:
Cick the pic to learn more about the Toyota Prius
It’s the hybrid that started it all. Toyota kicked off the mass-production hybrid car line with the Prius in 2000, aiming to get more green-friendly drivers on the road. The 4-door sedan offers a comfortable ride with great fuel efficiency and quality engineering that is second-to-none. Along with that, I think that for being a “green-car”, it’s practical, durable, and carries Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability; and you won’t have burned holes in your pocket when it comes to filling up, as this will be a rare occasion for Prius owners. All of this sounds great, and I’m sure you’re just about ready to pull your checkbook out and ask where to sign. But let’s be honest for a minute. Sure, it’s a clean economical vehicle, and yes Toyota have refined the feminine looks of the Prius since its release in 2000 with more cut lines and masculine curves to better appeal to both sexes, and have accompanied the lone hybrid with a line of Prius’, including the more appealing Prius “C”, but there are better looking hybrids on the road that many of us would rather be seen in, that don’t pass as a symbol for green-peace, and possibly label you as a tree-hugger. Not to mention that a relatively unknown fact about the Prius is that the overall process that goes behind the production of the Prius causes more pollution in the long run than the Car will cause in its lifetime.
click here to see the Prius get put through its trials (Fifth Gear)
Overall rating: 8.5
My rating: 7.0
The Honda Civic Hybrid:
Click the pic to learn more about the Honda Civic Hybrid
If you’re in the market for a hybrid that accompanies almost 40years of legendary reliability, then it’s logical to go for the Honda Civic Hybrid. Since Honda decided to pair hybrid technology with the Civic back in 2001, they knew that they’d be stepping foot into a new generation of hybrid to appeal to the masses. This is something that I believe any kind of car enthusiast would have seen coming. Who wouldn’t have after Toyota launched the Prius? But I digress. The Civic has become a car for the older couple on a budget, as well as the midnight racing teen looking for a kick in the streets. For 2012, Honda have given the Civic hybrid a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine, producing around 110 horsepower. That sounds a bit more appealing to the driver who doesn’t want to sacrifice performance for eco-friendliness. I think it’s a good deal for any driver who likes a balance between comfort, efficiency, and low maintenance; and does a majority of their driving in the city. However, I do see a few issues with the Civic Hybrid. Unlike the Prius, the Civic was eventually paired up with a hybrid, which means that like most pairings, there will always be a few bugs to work out. So that leaves the buyer wondering if this year will be the year that Honda work out all the little kinks, or if it will have to wait till next year. Another pretty obvious fact about the Civic hybrid: it’s boring. Okay, this year the hybrid was upgraded to a 1.5-liter engine compares to the 2011’s 1.3-liter package, which means it has a little more horsepower and is a bit more peppy. But in all honesty that’s not that big of a change. Along with that, the interior is just bland. It’s grey and there isn’t much to it; although I do give credit to the designers of the Civic for making it roomy. The Civic hybrid is a great all-rounder in terms of functionality that fits most peoples’ needs. But if you’re going to buy the Civic hybrid, and not go for the Si model, I’d question your excitement factor.
Click here to see a review of the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid (AutoGuide)
Overall Rating: 7.9
My Rating: 6.5
The Chevrolet Volt:
Click on the pic to learn more about the Chevy Volt
Okay, this one has been GM’s big talk since the concept was revealed in 2007. The concept introduced what GM called a “Voltec” drive system, which consists of new and improved components that enhance the quality of electric propulsion. This may be by far the most techy of the hybrids on this list. the Volt is America’s most efficient plug in hybrid, it is dripping with technology, it’s won numerous green-car awards, and to top it all off, the Voltec system is accompanied by a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine. Along with the technological specs, there are new materials that lighten the vehicle, giving it even further range on a single charge. Don’t think that Chevrolet have skimped on comfort. The Volt manages to provide top safety, the latest technology, and ease-of-use, while still offering comfortable seating for 4!. And the production model doesn’t look half bad. Kudos to Chevrolet for taking away the femininity of driving a plug-in hybrid. You get plenty of range, but it does come at a cost. $39,000, to be more specific. This is however a cheaper price tag for this year. However, the formerly standard navigation system and the Bose Sound system are now a part of the options list. Along with that, the Gas engine can be noisy, and the EV range is greatly reduced in winter. I think, however, that it may be worth the check you’ll have to write, because it is American, and it comes from a dependable name, as well.
Click here to see a review of the Chevy Volt (Everyday Driver)
Overall Rating: 7.4
My Rating: 7.5
The Kia Optima Hybrid
Click the pic to learn more about the Kia Optima Hybrid
Let me start off by saying that I personally like this one more than any of the others for a few good reasons: One, it’s from a company that has made a comeback in terms of quality. Two, It’s a name that has been refined significantly, and at the same time has gained reputation points from consumers world-wide, especially here in the states. And three, my good friend has one, and although it’s not the hybrid, I’ve ridden in three generations of the Kia Optima, and I can certainly say that the latest generation is definitely a huge step-no, leap forward from the previous generations. But I’ll just give you the most honest review I can, not using any of that mentioned information as a bias. Looks-wise, I’m sure I’m speaking for more than just myself when I say that this is definitely getting the gold for looks, especially when it’s put side-by-side with a Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion. Performance wise, drivers will be pleased to know that unlike most other hybrids, which tend to make the mistake of putting a slow, unresponsive engine next to a hyped up electric engine, the Kia Optima hybrid features a 2.XL four cylinder engine married to an electric motor, allowing for up to 40mpg, and pumps out a surprisingly fun 206 horsepower, which means you’ll be able to have plenty of fun in the corners between trips to the pump, which I think is a great combination. For this year, Kia have decided to make former options like the fog lights standard on all new models. Another great part about this car is the price-tag. For 25-grand you can take all that the Kia Optima Hybrid has to offer home with you. As far as I’m concerned, that in combination with one of the longest warranties ever offered, and reliability and top-notch safety, that’s the best deal I can think of. However, there are a few draw-backs that I unfortunately must highlight. None of the trims that Kia offer for the Optima come with the availability of 4-wheel drive; so even though you have front-wheel drive, which is much better than rear-wheel for the winter months, you’ll definitely have to handle those 206 horses carefully unless you plan on doing a bit of snow-drifting. Also, Kia have refined the interior and have definitely put their best foot forward in terms of quality, but they haven’t quite nailed it yet. And lastly…it’s a Kia. Though the company have been gaining huge reputation in the areas of reliability, the Optima still carries the burden of the Kia name’s past, which means that it won’t be much of a head turner for at least another couple generations. However, these issues are mostly minor, and in time, Kia will have their place in the ranks of the most dependable cars in the world if they keep up their efforts and continue to refine the quality that Kia offers. I’d recommend it.
click here to see the review of the Kia Optima Hybrid
Overall Rating: 8.4
My Rating: 9.0
The Tesla Roadster:
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This is probably the most out-there in terms of up-and-coming hybrids. The Tesla Roadster features chassis developed by Lotus, which means that in the corners, this is no sports-car to underestimate. The best, and worst part about this hybrid is that it is 100% electric-powered. Since 2009, Tesla have sold no more than 2500 units, which makes seeing one of these on the road a rarity, but in it of itself, a special occurrence when you see one humming down your street. The electric motor offers a fierce 288 horsepower, which will definitely make the driver one happy tree-hugger. Looks-wise, from a distance one would be almost certain that it was a lotus coming your way. But once they realize that there is no sound to accompany the cars sporty appearance, you’ll know the difference. At the stoplights, the Tesla Roadster does not skimp out on launch performance. It’s quick acceleration will get the driver from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds, which is pretty impressive considering that it’s a fully electric motor that is doing the work. So, It’s fast, stylish, good in the corners, and is the ideal sports-car for a green-peace politician looking for a sports car that won’t ruin his image. Now, there are a few problems with this All-electric sports car. For one, the motor can over-heat under hard driving, which means that track-days with the Roadster will not be an every-weekend thing. Along with that, Tesla’s projected 200-mile range falls greatly under harder driving, which means that the time spent at the track will be limited to a mere few hours before either the Tesla overheats, or loses juice all-together. The Tesla roadster follows one key rule of all sports-cars: lack of practicality. for $128,000, you get a big electric motor, some gauges, 4 wheels, and not much more. Trunk space is essentially non-existent, so that money you saved at the pump won’t be put back into groceries at the supermarket, since you’ll have no room to store them once you’ve done your shopping. To re-charge your car, you’ll have to pay extra for the re-charging cord, which in it of itself is just shameful. I like the Tesla Roadster, If someone handed me the keys to one I would drive off in a second. But it’s not exactly worth the price-tag, and for that reason, I see more potential than results from Tesla Motors; and in my opinion, they have a bit more work to do in the way of development of the Roadster.
Click here to see a review of the Tesla Roadster
Overall Rating: 7.4
My Rating: 5.0
There’s plenty of options when considering a hybrid vehicle. Let’s not rule out other contenders like the Chevy Cruze-eco, or the Mercedes S-class Hybrid, or others on the market. Hybrids are becoming more and more common on roads today, and in my eyes, we’re only witnessing the beginning.
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