2008 Hybrid Vehicle Buying Guide
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 2-Mode Hybrid

With regard to anything automotive, the word "hybrid" has become synonymous with frugality and efficiency. Thanks in large part to the popular Toyota Prius, Americans see automotive gas/electric hybrid technology as at least one solution to lowering fuel costs and reducing America's dependence on foreign oil. As a bonus, hybrids have earned a reputation for cleaner tailpipe emissions as well.

Despite the perceived benefits of hybrid technology, sales of these vehicles still represent only a tiny fraction of the U.S. marketplace. Americans purchased about 300,000 hybrid vehicles in 2007, accounting for just two percent of the 16.6 million cars and trucks sold here last year.

Choices

One reason hybrid sales haven't grown more quickly is the limited number of vehicles available. This list includes 16 vehicles (two more than in 2007), one of which can only be purchased in eight states. Note that Honda's slow-selling Accord Hybrid has been dropped for 2008. With a V6 engine and performance bias, the Accord's high price and middling fuel economy failed to impress shoppers.

Cost

Another reason shoppers are slow to embrace hybrid vehicles is cost. In addition to a vehicle's conventional gasoline engine, hybrids also include a regenerative braking system that recaptures energy that is normally wasted in braking and slowing, a battery pack to store the recovered power, and one or more electric motors that assist in propelling the vehicle. Note that all the vehicles discussed here also incorporate engine shut-off technology. Very simply, these systems shut the engine off while idling or slowing to conserve fuel. Vehicles with more advanced hybrid systems may propel themselves short distances before restarting the engine, further improving fuel economy.

All this additional technology adds considerably to the overall cost of hybrid vehicles. Still, automakers are loath to be excluded from the hybrid hysteria, believing that offering such vehicles demonstrates both social responsibility as well as technical prowess.

Mission

While hybrid vehicles are generally assumed to be frugal with fuel, not all hybrids are designed to be gas misers. Several hybrids, those offered by Toyota's luxury Lexus division especially, use hybrid technology primarily as a means to improve performance, though fuel economy is generally improved as well (but only marginally).