The Consumer Guide to 2008 Hybrid Vehicles
by Tom Appel
2008 Hybrid Vehicle Lineup
Midsize Sedan Base Price: $22,140 EPA MPG: 24/32 Malibu Hybrid, along with its mechanically similar sibling, the Saturn Aura Green Line, boasts the lowest base price of any hybrid vehicle available in the U.S. Contributing to the bargain pricing is GM's Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) hybrid system. Less complex than most hybrid drivetrains, BAS can be offered at a lower price than more sophisticated hybrid systems. On the downside, Malibu (as well as BAS-equipped Saturn Aura and Vue) cannot propel itself purely on electric power. As a result, overall fuel economy performance trails that of more sophisticated hybrids. Like the Saturn hybrids, Malibu Hybrid uses a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Only one trim level is offered. | |
Large SUV Base Price Range: $49,590-$52,395 EPA MPG (2WD): 21/22 For 2008, Chevrolet Tahoe and sibling GMC Yukon become the first large SUVs with available hybrid drivetrains. Dubbed 2-Mode by GM, Tahoe's hybrid system incorporates a 6.0-liter V8 and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that also has four fixed gear ratios. Unlike GM's BAS hybrid vehicles, 2-Mode models can propel themselves using only the electric motor. The V8 also incorporates GM's Active Fuel Management system that shuts down four of the engine's cylinders when power demands are light. Tahoe Hybrid is available with rear- or all-wheel drive. While conventional Tahoes are offered in LS, LT, and LTZ trim levels, Hybrids come only as a single model that approximates the LT in equipment. | |
Compact SUV Base Price Range: $25,075-$26,825 EPA MPG (2WD): 30/34 Though sporting new exterior styling, Escape remains mechanically unchanged for 2008. As such, Ford's only hybrid returns largely intact. While conventional Escapes are offered in XLS, XLT, and Limited trim, the Hybrid is offered only as a separate model and includes a level of equipment that closely approximates the midline XLT. Escape Hybrid incorporates a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Front- and all-wheel drive versions are offered. A true hybrid, Escape can propel itself for short distances at low speeds using only its electric motor. Escape Hybrid is mechanically identical to the Mariner Hybrid offered by Ford's sister division, Mercury. | |
Large SUV Base Price Range: $50,045-$52,855 EPA MPG (2WD): 21/22 For 2008, GMC Yukon and sibling Chevy Tahoe become the first large SUVs with available hybrid drivetrains. Dubbed 2-Mode by GM, Yukon's hybrid system incorporates a 6.0-liter V8 and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that also has four fixed gear ratios. Unlike GM's BAS hybrid vehicles, 2-Mode models can propel themselves using only the electric motor. The V8 also incorporates GM's Active Fuel Management system that shuts down four of the engine's cylinders when power demands are light. Yukon Hybrid is available with rear- or all-wheel drive. While conventional Yukons are offered in SLE, SLT, and Denali trim levels, Hybrids come only as a single model that approximates the SLT in equipment. | |
Compact Sedan Base Price Range: $22,600-$24,350 EPA MPG: 40/45 Unlike the powerful, discontinued Accord Hybrid, the Honda Civic Hybrid is designed specifically for improved fuel economy. Civic has a tiny 1.3-liter 4-cylinder at the heart of its hybrid drivetrain. Civic Hybrid comes only with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and will propel itself for short distances at low speeds without the aid of its gasoline engine. The Hybrid model is equipped similarly to the conventional topline Civic EX, but loses its rear disc brakes, folding rear seat, and sunroof. | |
Premium Midsize Sedan Base Price: $54,900 EPA MPG: 22/25 Like its big brother the LS600h, this Lexus hybrid is designed for enhanced performance first, improved fuel economy second. The GS 450h builds its hybrid system around an already potent 3.5-liter V6. The system is coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and is capable of running for brief periods of time at low speeds without the gasoline engine. The 450h caps a GS lineup that includes the non-hybrid GS 350 and V8-powered GS 460. Like some other hybrid sedans, the GS loses some trunk space to its battery pack. | |
Premium Large Sedan Base Price: $104,000 EPA MPG: 20/22 Designed with performance and luxury instead of frugality in mind, the Lexus LS 600h L is the most expensive hybrid vehicle available. The hybrid-boosted V8 produces 438 horsepower and mates to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Based on the Consumer Guide Best Buy Lexus LS, the hybrid 600h is available only with the model's long-wheelbase L body. It is also the only LS with all-wheel drive. | |
Premium Midsize SUV Base Price Range: $41,180-$42,580 EPA MPG (AWD): 26/24 Lexus's crossover midsize SUV was updated for 2008, getting fresh exterior styling but remaining mechanically unchanged. Like the similar Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the 400h hybrid powertrain centers around a 3.3-liter V6 and includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 400h is capable of covering short distances in electric-only mode. Front- and all-wheel drive versions are offered. Note that like the Highlander Hybrid, AWD models feature rear wheels that are driven only by the hybrid system's electric motors--there is no mechanical connection to the transmission. The RX400h is equipped similarly to the conventional gas-engined RX350, but loses that model's standard rear-wood trim and tachometer. | |
Compact SUV Price Range: $25,765-$27,515 EPA MPG (2WD): 34/30 Though sporting new exterior styling, Mariner remains mechanically unchanged for 2008. As such, Mercury's twin to the Ford Escape returns largely intact. While conventional Mariners are offered in Base and Premier trim, the Hybrid is offered as a separate model and includes a level of equipment that closely approximates the topline Premier. Like Ford Escape Hybrid, Mariner Hybrid incorporates a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Front- and all-wheel drive versions are offered. Mariner can propel itself for short distances at low speeds using only its electric motor. | |
Midsize Sedan Base Price: $25,070 EPA MPG: 35/33 Based on its popular midsize Altima sedan, the Altima Hybrid is Nissan's first hybrid offering. Hedging its bets on continuing consumer demand for hybrid vehicles, Nissan has opted to offer the Altima Hybrid only in the following states: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Altima Hybrid drivetrain features a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and will operate for short periods of time at low speeds in electric-only mode. The Hybrid has roughly the same level of standard equipment as the conventional 4-cylinder Altima 2.5 S. | |
Midsize Sedan Base Price: $22,140 EPA MPG: 28/35 Aura Green Line shares the title of least-expensive hybrid with the Chevy Malibu. And like the Malibu and Saturn Vue Green Line, the hybrid Aura incorporates General Motors' BAS "mild hybrid" technology. The hybrid Aura uses a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and conventional four-speed automatic transmission. While the BAS hybrid arrangement still incorporates electric thrust to improve acceleration, it does not allow for electric-only running at low speeds, as do most other hybrid systems. | |
Compact SUV Base Price: $24,170 EPA MPG: 25/32 Vue is redesigned for 2008, sharing much of its basic design with Antera from GM's European Opel division. Carried over from the previous-generation Vue is GM's BAS hybrid system for 4-cylinder Green Line models. Like the Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura that share the BAS hybrid drivetrain, Vue Green Line makes use of a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic transmission. Also like the other BAS vehicles, Vue cannot run on its electric motor alone. Note that Vue Green Line comes only with front drive; all-wheel drive is not offered. Vue's V6 engine will pair with GM's 2-Mode Hybrid system for 2009. The 2009 Saturn Vue Green Line 2-Mode Hybrid (pictured) will offer a more advanced hybrid drive system than the Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) system offered on the current Green Line hybrid. Unlike the BAS system, the 2-Mode drivetrain will propel Vue on electric power alone, and should provide increased gains in fuel economy as a result. Saturn plans to offer both BAS and 2-Mode hybrid versions of the Vue for 2009. | |
Midsize Sedan Base Price: $25,200 EPA MPG: 33/34 Camry Hybrid gives Toyota a hybrid sedan that is more conventional in both style and design than the mileage-centric Prius. Camry Hybrid makes use of a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Camry Hybrid is capable of covering short distances at low speeds on electric-only power. While conventional Camrys are offered in CE, LE, SE, and topline XLE trim, the Hybrid comes as a single model equipped much like the midline LE but with more standard safety equipment. | |
Midsize SUV Base Price Range: $33,700-$39,950 EPA MPG: 27/31 Though redesigned for 2008, Highlander's hybrid system returns essentially unchanged. Highlander Hybrid's powertrain centers around a 3.3-liter V6 and includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Highlander Hybrid is capable of covering short distances at low speeds in electric-only mode. For 2008, all Highlander Hybrids are all-wheel drive; front-drive models have been dropped. Note that the rear wheels are driven only by the hybrid system's electric motors; there is no mechanical connection to the transmission. The Highlander Hybrid is offered in Base and Limited trim levels that closely parallel the content of similar conventional versions of the Highlander. | |
Midsize Sedan Price Range: $20,950-$23,220 EPA MPG: 48/45 The original hybrid is now in its second generation and still accounts for more than half of all hybrid vehicle sales. Unlike the other vehicles on this list, Prius was designed specifically as a hybrid and is not based on a conventionally-powered vehicle. Prius' hybrid system is built around a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Under proper conditions, Prius will operate for extended lengths of time without engaging the gasoline engine. |
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