Best Hybrid Car

There are only a few hybrid cars out there put out by some of the top brands in the automobile industry.  If you are a true car buff, then the Toyota Prius will probably be the first car that comes to mind when talking about commercially available hybrid cars.  This is for the simple reason that the Prius was the first commercially available hybrid car and probably the bestselling one so far.  But is it the best hybrid car to purchase?  This also arrives with great debate.  Here are some of the best hybrid cars released by different manufacturers over the last 5 years or so.

2007 Toyota Prius

On top of the list, the Prius really must be the best hybrid car but only because it is the easiest to remember since it is one of the first.  Developed and sold only in Japan in 1997, it reached the international market in 2001 and was a hit in the US.  Today, it is one of the best selling hybrids from Toyota next to the Toyota Camry hybrid.  A 2009 model is about to be released in 2008 which says a lot about the demand for even better fuel-efficient models from Toyota.

2007 Saturn Vue Green Line

General Motors is one of the other companies that refuse to be left behind in the hybrid craze.  Their crossover SUV is one of the best hybrid car options in the United States under the Saturn brand.  Also known more as a mild hybrid, the Saturn Vue Green Line uses a belt alternator starter.  It automatically stops the engine when the vehicle stops completely and then starts again when the vehicle has to move again.  This is more than just a stop and go system because the electric motor assists in acceleration as well.  The electric assist helps in the saving of fuel and emissions are also greatly reduced.

2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

This vehicle will start selling in September of 2007 that uses a Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) coupled with a powerful V6 engine.  Basically, the HSD is Toyota’s very own developed set of technologies that are also used in cars like the Prius, Camry, etc.  It is an electric drive that is combined with a continuously variable transmission that uses electricity and transistors instead of toothed gears.  The gas pedal and gearshift lever send electrical signals to an onboard computer with no direct connection between the engine and engine controls.  What this means is more electrical dependence in terms of acceleration and general operation of the car and its components.

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid

Some of the best and most powerful SUVs come from the company Ford.  So it’s no surprise why the Escape series should also go through the Hybrid transformation.  A gas-electric hybrid, it was launched in 2004 and is a full hybrid.  This means that the system can be switched automatically between pure electric power and pure gasoline engine power; truly a technological marvel (and arguably the best hybrid car of its class) that offers the best performance and fuel efficiency while being environmentally friendly.