Auto Trends

Well, another Christmas has come and gone and it is time to prepare for what will hopefully be a great New Year. But before we close the curtain on 2008, we would like to go over some of the highlights and low points of this past years vehicle selection. This year has been a tough year for all manufacturers, but a few of them managed to rise to the top, while others were scrapping the barrel just hoping to find a few customer scraps thrown their way. We will continue our review with the best and worst of the green hybrids.

BEST: Toyota Prius

Prius Side, originally uploaded by frekur

While not too much competition in the hybrid market segment, the Toyota Prius continues to impress us each year with its roomy interior, reliability, versatility, and great gas mileage. Its calculated 48 MPG is one of the best you could find in any five seat passenger mid-size vehicle, and we are pretty sure sure you won’t find much better in any of the smaller subcompact cars out there. The Prius takes on the common notion that hybrid vehicles are too expensive, and gave it a base price of just $21,500.

Now the base Prius in a little bone dry to some peoples standards, as it does not including cruise control, heated mirrors, sport suspension, 16-inch wheels, and Xenon lighting. But for around $25,000, a loaded edition is not a bad way to spend $4 grand extra if you’ve got it. The hybrid synergy drive of the Prius is perfect for the daily commuter who will not see much highway miles. Its regenerative braking system and great low speed electric power output is perfect for the daily trek through traffic lights and moderate speed limits. If you do see a lot of highway time however, you will find that you will use less of the electric drive and more of the gas power. This however is not so much Toyota’s hindsight as it is the nature of current regenerative hybrid electrics today.

Vehicle: Prius

Base Price: $21,500 to $24,000

Available Engines:

1.5 liter Inline-4, 110 horsepower, 82 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 106 inches

Length: 175 inches

Height: 59 inches

Curb Weight: 2,932 pounds

EPA Fuel Economy: 48 MPG City

WORST: Lexus RX 400h

originally uploaded by cotxe87.com

If you are looking to race a Toyota Hybrid Prius and literally slaughter it using another hybrid, then the Lexus RX 400h should be your weapon of choice. If you’ve got bags of money laying around your computer chair right now, then the initial cost of the 400h probably won’t put much of a dent in your bank. If you are more worried about luxury than you are about getting the maximum fuel economy for your dollar, then once again, the 400h is your best bet. For everyone else however, the Lexus 400h is actually what a lot of eco-conscience people would consider a poor excuse for a hybrid.

If you look at the available technology we currently have to achieve upwards of 100 MPG, 26 MPG is almost a slap in the face to pay close to $50,000 and not even come away with a vehicle that can top the Ford Focus on gas mileage. Now before the Lexus fan hate mail starts pouring in, you have to admit that the 400h is not everything that it could be. It is quiet, quick, and luxurious for sure, but it should be able to be all these things and still hit 35 MPG. Not only are you paying twice the price of the non-luxury oriented Prius, but you are getting close to paying twice at the pumps too, which actually seems more like a punishment than a reward for being eco-conscience. Come on Lexus, 35 MPG is not that much to ask from a relatively small utility vehicle! Perhaps that could be our holiday gift for next year, eh?

Vehicle: RX 400h

Base Price: $42,000 to $43,500

Available Engines:

3.3 liter V-6, 268 horsepower, 415 lb-ft torque

Transmission: CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 106 inches

Length: 187 inches

Height: 66 inches

Curb Weight: 4,190 pounds

EPA Fuel Economy: 26 MPG city