Top 10 Hybrids for 2008:

The world of hybrid cars is evolving at what seems like a snails pace to me, but at least each year new models are introduced giving the consumer more choices and selection. For years it was really "Buy the Toyota Prius" or else. Now Toyota has some competition and it's pushing all the car manufacturers to come up with more features which only means a better deal for car buyers. Yahoo Autos, Consumer Reports, About.com, and countless other car websites and magazines rate the latest hybrids as they come out each year. Mileage and fuel economy is the big selling point these days as gasoline prices continue to skyrocket and approach $4/gallon in many cities around the United States. The consumer needs options with hybrid vehicles so they can cut down the gas pump charges and put more money back into their wallets. Which 2008 hybrids are the best? What models get the best mileage? How about long term reliability and durability?

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Some of the hybrid makes and models are fairly expensive like the Chevrolet Tahoe 2 Mode Hybrid for $49,590 or the Lexus GS 450h which sells for $54900. It seems strange to be politically correct to buy a "green car" and reduce your fuel usage but spend close to $50K on an automobile. In any event, the Toyota Prius still leads the pack with an MSRP of $21,100 and EPA estimated mileage of city/highway 48/45. The Prius is definitely affordable at just over $20K and the fuel economy will let you spend your money on something other than gasoline. Out of the Top 10 Hybrids for 2008, Toyota has 3 of them, Lexus and Saturn each have 2, and Honda, Ford, and Chevy each come in with 1 vehicle rated highly. There are a few SUV hybrids in the list this year like the Saturn Vue and the Toyota Highlander along with the Chevy Tahoe 2 and Ford Escape. The best mileage still rests with the sedans and smaller cars. What are the actual specs and details on all these hybrids, we have tried to include all that information down below with links to the official website for each vehicle and where you can view pictures of them as well. Prices vary by model and trim, but we have included the base price where available. Toyota Prius - The home page for the 2008 Prius can be found online here on the Toyota site. The combined mileage of both city and highway is close to 46 MPG. It's hard to go wrong with numbers like that when gasoline has passed the $3.50/gallon mark and continues to climb upwards. The Prius features a push button start, seating for 5, and a reasonable amount of cargo room. The latest in backup camera technology is part of an option package if you so choose. Toyota has kept the price down for the last 7 years on the Prius and we expect that to be a big selling point compared to other hybrid cars and SUVs that tend to be more expensive.
Saturn Vue Green Line - The 2008 VUE Green Line Hybrid has an MSRP of $24170 and the official website is here. The mileage estimates are 25 city/32 highway which they claim is the "best fuel economy of any SUV". There is an excellent photo gallery on the website with views from all angles. Experts do say the biggest drawback on the Saturn VUE Green Line is that it doesn't offer all-wheel drive which might deter some buyers.
Honda Civic Hybrid - The new Civic Hybrid can be found online here on the official website for Honda vehicles. The MSRP of $22,600 is very good and competes directly with the Prius. The 4 cylinder engine delivers 110HP and you can get options like the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition. The estimated mileage on the highway is 45 MPG. Honda and Toyota have fought back and forth over the years for dominance in the sedan and minivan markets, so it's only naturally to see them duke it out in the hybrid arena now. Honda has an excellent reputation for quality and long term durability with their vehicles which should make the Civic Hybrid a great buy.
Toyota Camry Hybrid - You can find details on this vehicle online here. The MSRP on the Camry Hybrid is $25350 and mileage is fairly solid at 33/34 (city/highway). The Camry is more like a traditional sedan in terms of power with 147 HP coming from the 2.4 liter hybrid engine. The smooth drive and interior comfort will help this car sell to those looking for an upgrade from the Prius and Civic models. Toyota has yet to see a lot of sales from the Camry Hybrid but we expect that to change this year. My neighbor just purchased one for his new (longer) commute with the anticipation that gas prices are going to stay high going forward.
Lexus RX 400h - You can find details on this vehicle online here. Lexus is near the tops in customer satisfaction with their line of vehicles and the hybrids should prove no different. Lexus also has several cars in the top 10 list for least amount of time on dealers lots which means people are buying up their vehicles faster than most others. The RX Hybrid from Lexus has a MSRP of $42680 and it's all wheel drive is what many owners are looking for versus the Saturn VUE (above) which isn't. This luxury small SUV hybrid offers leather trimmed interior, roof rack with rails, DVD navigation system, and much more. There is a FWD option which sells for $41280.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid - You can find details on this vehicle online here. The Highlander Hybrid starts at $33,700 and the Limited Edition is close to $40,000. The mileage rating is essentially the same on both, but you get the upgraded package with the more expensive model. The Highlander is available only with all-wheel drive (AWD) and if you do lots of city driving then the improved fuel efficiency over the gas-only model will save you a lot over time as you get over 50% better mileage in city driving. This SUV hybrid is roomy on the interior and has a more traditional SUV design on the exterior. Toyota has a great history of vehicle reliability so the Highlander should benefit from that factor when it comes to sales.
Ford Escape Hybrid - Ford has struggled in recent years to keep up with Toyota and Honda in terms of sales beyond trucks. Sedans just haven't cut it for Ford but they are making a big bet on the Escape Hybrid. It boasts mileage numbers of 34 city and 30 highway with the electric motor doing the all the work when the vehicle is stopped or "driving at low speeds" says the Ford website. You can get more details online here. The MSRP is $26505 but experts say thats paying too much of a premium over the base 4 cylinder model if you are looking to get your money back in the long haul with improved gas mileage.
Chevrolet Tahoe 2 Mode Hybrid - When I heard about this vehicle, I was very interested since I own a 2002 Chevy Tahoe that definitely doesn't win when it comes to a gas conservation contest. The mileage improvements are significant over the gas-only models, but the MSRP of $49,590 is getting pretty expensive at the same time. It's unfortunate that the price premium over the lowest price model is so big. It might deter those that can barely afford the regular Tahoe SUV from even thinking about the Hybrid version. I bought my Tahoe for $35,000 and that was stretching it on my budget. You can get more details online here. Mileage is rated at 21/22 (city/highway).
Saturn Aura Green Line - I own a Saturn 1993 SL2 and have been very happy with it as it just passed the 130,000 mile marker. I have had thoughts of replacing it with a more fuel efficient modern sedan but the mileage on the new "green" Aura is not that impressive given it's only 9% better in the city over the 4 cylinder gas only Aura and barely 7% more efficient on the highways. I guess you have to start somewhere, but compared to the other vehicles listed on this page, the Aura Green Line disappoints a bit on the increased mileage ability over the gas-only models they compete with. You can get more details online here. Mileage is rated at 24/32 (city/highway).
Lexus GS 450h - The most expensive hybrid amongst the group, the GS 450h has an MSRP of $54900. The big knock on this Lexus is that you are paying a lot of money with not a lot of improved fuel efficiency over the lower priced gas-models. I personally say this model is meant for those that want luxury but would like to show the world they are being "green" at the same time. You can get more details online here. Mileage is rated at 22/25 (city/highway).

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