Auto Trends

You wont have to look too far these days to find a good Hybrid as recent reviews would show. It used to be back in the day, you had only a choice few hybrids… and many of them were a bit compact, odd looking, and lacking enough power to get you over the hump of a hard going Wednesday.

Well those days are over and almost anybody could find a hybrid vehicle that will fit their style and requirement. All makes and models are seeming to leap onto the bandwagon, except for perhaps, Corvette, Mustang, Viper, Hummer, 350 Z, GTO… but there is always next year!

Consumer Guide Automotive has rated this years lineup for 2008 and it is actually looking very promising. This coming years flavors are going to range from cute compacts, luxury sedan’s, SUV’s, and even a few high powered sport sedan’s.

*These numbers represent the best possible estimates to date.

Chevrolet is going to have the Malibu sedan with a 2.4 liter 170 hp engine.  $22,000 base price

Photo by NeuoticJose

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Ford their Escape SUV, with its 2.3 liter engine.  $25,000 base price

Photo by Auto Exposure Canada

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Honda with have both its Accord and Civic.

Accord sedan, 3.0 liter engine, 253 hp  $31,000 base price

Civic sedan, 1.3 liter, 110 hp.  $22,000 base price

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Mercury has its Mariner SUV, with a 2.3 liter engine.  $25,000 base price

Photo by Jalopnik

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Saturn Aura and Vue.

Aura sedan at 2.4 liters and 170 hp.  $23,000 base price

Vue SUV with a 2.4 liter 170 hp.  $25,000 base price

Photo by Jalopnik

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Toyota will head the way with its original Prius, Camry and Highlander hybrids.

Prius sedan with its 1.5 liter, 110 hp engine.  $22,000 base price

Highlander SUV, 3.3 liter, 268 hp.  $32,000 base price

Camry sedan, 2.4 liter, 187 hp.  $26,000 base price

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…In addition, we are also getting a glimpse of the future from Lexus with their line of high horsepower hybrid combinations. These will be the cure for those who think the word hybrid has to mean low performance. Well, it doesn’t, and here are a few numbers to convince you otherwise.

The new Lexus LS, will come with a 5 liter powerhouse, packing 430 hp… and an electric only operation mode.  $100,000 base price (yes, horsepower costs money… how fast do you want to go?)

Photo by Greatone

Below this Lexus will be the GS 450h, with a still impressive 339 hp rating and 3.5 liter engine.  $55,000 base price

…And last, but certainly not least of the Lexus hybrid lineup will be the RX 450h, 3.3 liter, 268 hp.  $41,000 base price.

The hybrid is definitely not your Grandma’s car anymore… there is one for just about any taste and price range!