Hybrid Car Buyers Guide
When people are considering buying hybrid cars, they always want to know them. That’s when buyer’s guides come in. So remember: guide before buy.
TOYOTA PRIUS
News: New headlights, tail lights, redesigned grille and new seat fabric for 2006. New options include leather seats, rear back-up camera and upgraded stereo with MP3 connection.
Type: Four-door hatchback sedan
Price: $21,725, up $450 from 2005 model. On sale in mid-November.
MPG: 60 (city), 51 (highway), 55 (combined), 44 (Consumer Reports)
2005 sales: 90,981
TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
News: 2006 model arrived in June. Three rows of seats are standard. Limited version adds leather seats, automatic AC and six-disc CD changer.
Type: 2WD or 4WD four-door mid-size SUV
Price: $33,595-$39,855
MPG: 31-33 (city), 27-28 (highway), 29-30 (combined), 22 (Consumer Reports)
2005 sales: 13,403
LEXUS RX 400H
News: On sale since April, Lexus says it’ll add a cheaper, front-wheel-drive RX 400h in December. It also has made the navigation system with rear back-up camera an option on the AWD model, and reduced the price $2,350 starting with the 2007 model that goes on sale in January.
Type: 2WD or 4WD four-door luxury SUV
Price: $44,660-$46,060
MPG: 31-33 (city), 27-28 (highway), 29-30 (combined), 23 (CR)
2005 sales: 16,666
HONDA INSIGHT
News: Despite slow sales and rumors of the Insight’s death, Honda continues to sell the model — the car with the best gas mileage, according to the EPA.
Type: Two-door, two-seat coupe with a manual or automatic transmission
Price: $19,880-$22,080
MPG: 57-60 (city), 56-66 (highway), 56-63 (combined), 51 (Consumer Reports)
2005 sales: 564
HONDA CIVIC
News: All-new version gets redesigned styling, more powerful performance and better fuel economy.
Type: Four-door compact sedan
Price: $22,400-$23,900
MPG: 49 (city), 51 (highway), 50 (combined), 36 (CR/2005)
2005 sales: 21,253
HONDA ACCORD
News: 2006 model goes on sale in December, with exterior, interior and feature changes that’ll mirror those of the gasoline versions of the 2006 Accord. Pricing and mileage not announced, but expect price to rise slightly and mpg to be unchanged.
Type: Four-door mid-size sedan
2005 price: $30,690-$32,690
2005 MPG: 29 (city), 37 (highway), 32 (combined), 25 (Consumer Reports)
2005 sales: 15,269
FORD ESCAPE
News: Named 2005 North American Truck of the Year, the 2006 Escape now offers a premium package with a one-color exterior, leather and heated seats, navigation and a rear back-up system.
Type: FWD or AWD four-door compact SUV
Price: $27,515-$29,140
MPG: 33-36 (city), 29-31 (highway), 31-33 (combined), 26 (CR)
2005 sales: 13,200
MERCURY MARINER
News: All-new model for 2006 that went on sale in October. It shares drivetrain with Escape. Differences are cosmetic, and include a more upscale interior.
Type: 4WD four-door compact SUV
Price: $29,840
MPG: 33 (city), 29 (highway), 31 (combined), 26 (Consumer Reports)
2005 sales: 86
CHEVROLET SILVERADO
News: Now available nationwide. A starter-generator motor that allows engine stop/start boosts fuel economy by 10 percent over regular Silverado trucks. Four 120-volt outlets, in the cab and in the cargo bed, allow owners to operate power equipment.
Type: 2WD or 4WD extended-cab full-size pickup
Price: $30,635-$36,705
MPG: 17-18 (city), 19-21 (highway), 18-19 (combined)
2005 sales: Not announced
GMC SIERRA
News: Same truck as the Silverado.
Type: 2WD or 4WD extended-cab full-size pickup
Price: $31,205-$37,065
MPG: 17-18 (city), 19-21 (highway), 18-19 (combined)
2005 sales: Not announced
NEAR-FUTURE MODELS
2007 Toyota Camry
What: Bestselling car in America adds hybrid model with about 40 mpg.
When: Mid-2006. Capacity to build 48,000 a year.
2007 Saturn Vue Green Line
What: Compact SUV is GM’s first true hybrid.
When: Early 2006
2007 Nissan Altima
What: Nissan’s first hybrid
When: Late 2006 or early 2007.
2007 Lexus GS 450h
What: Promising performance of a V-8 and fuel economy in the “high 20s'’ from the 3.5-liter V-6 and a rear electric motor.
When: Spring 2006