1) The Toyota Prius, the gold standard for fuel economy, includes tepid acceleration, numb steering and nonlinear brakes. City: 48 mpgHighway: 45 mpgCombined: 46 mpgBase Price: $22,160
2) The 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
The Prius’s main contender is the Civic Hybrid, a more quotidian approach to economical hybrid transportation. In rendering the hybrid more aerodynamic, Honda also made it one of the better-looking Civic offerings. The Civic Hybrid drives more like a regular car than the competition, is a more responsive handler and is a touch less sluggish. The Civic’s hybrid system is simple and compact but doesn’t deliver quite the miserly numbers of the Prius.
City: 40 mpgHighway: 45 mpgCombined: 42 mpgBase Price: $23,270
3) The 2008 Smart fortwo
A small sum of money gets you a Lilliputian car that returns the third-best fuel mileage of any vehicle here. It’s the ultimate urban vehicular solution as defined by stylish cachet, excellent fuel economy and — by virtue of being the smallest — being also the biggest gun in the parking wars. Your mileage may vary with an average of four fewer mpg than the EPA’s combined number. Given that the Fortwo is the slowest-accelerating passenger vehicle in the country, a lead foot, with a resulting impact in fuel economy, is practically a safety requirement.
City: 33 mpgHighway: 41 mpgCombined: 36 mpgBase Price: $12,235
4) The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
The Altima Hybrid is sold only in California and in the seven Eastern states that share the California Air Resources Board’s air-quality statutes, which is a shame because it delivers hybrid efficiency in a stylish, pleasurable-to-drive sedan. The Altima Hybrid delivers similar fuel economy numbers to those of the Camry Hybrid, which isn’t surprising considering Nissan licensed Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive for the effort. Paired with Nissan’s 2.5-liter gasoline engine, the Altima Hybrid returns performance numbers better than the standard model. It delivers on its sporty looks and design-forward interior with a fun, enthusiastic chassis and precise steering. If the name “Camry” makes your inner rebel cringe, you’d do well to consider the Altima Hybrid.
City: 35 mpgHighway: 33 mpgCombined: 34 mpgBase Price: $26,140
5) The 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid is good at moving passengers economically and without drama. Unlike the Altima Hybrid, you can buy the Camry Hybrid nationwide. Hybridization did nothing to impact the virtues that make the Camry an award-winning, family-hauling appliance: laudable road manners, quiet and comfortable operation and a highly competent overall experience. Stepping up to the hybrid also begets stability control and the top-of-the-line XLE interior package, minus leather seats.
City: 33 mpgHighway: 34 mpgCombined: 34 mpg (Ratings from 2008 model year)Base Price: $25,860
The Prius’s main contender is the Civic Hybrid, a more quotidian approach to economical hybrid transportation. In rendering the hybrid more aerodynamic, Honda also made it one of the better-looking Civic offerings. The Civic Hybrid drives more like a regular car than the competition, is a more responsive handler and is a touch less sluggish. The Civic’s hybrid system is simple and compact but doesn’t deliver quite the miserly numbers of the Prius.
City: 40 mpgHighway: 45 mpgCombined: 42 mpgBase Price: $23,270
3) The 2008 Smart fortwo
A small sum of money gets you a Lilliputian car that returns the third-best fuel mileage of any vehicle here. It’s the ultimate urban vehicular solution as defined by stylish cachet, excellent fuel economy and — by virtue of being the smallest — being also the biggest gun in the parking wars. Your mileage may vary with an average of four fewer mpg than the EPA’s combined number. Given that the Fortwo is the slowest-accelerating passenger vehicle in the country, a lead foot, with a resulting impact in fuel economy, is practically a safety requirement.
City: 33 mpgHighway: 41 mpgCombined: 36 mpgBase Price: $12,235
4) The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
The Altima Hybrid is sold only in California and in the seven Eastern states that share the California Air Resources Board’s air-quality statutes, which is a shame because it delivers hybrid efficiency in a stylish, pleasurable-to-drive sedan. The Altima Hybrid delivers similar fuel economy numbers to those of the Camry Hybrid, which isn’t surprising considering Nissan licensed Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive for the effort. Paired with Nissan’s 2.5-liter gasoline engine, the Altima Hybrid returns performance numbers better than the standard model. It delivers on its sporty looks and design-forward interior with a fun, enthusiastic chassis and precise steering. If the name “Camry” makes your inner rebel cringe, you’d do well to consider the Altima Hybrid.
City: 35 mpgHighway: 33 mpgCombined: 34 mpgBase Price: $26,140
5) The 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid is good at moving passengers economically and without drama. Unlike the Altima Hybrid, you can buy the Camry Hybrid nationwide. Hybridization did nothing to impact the virtues that make the Camry an award-winning, family-hauling appliance: laudable road manners, quiet and comfortable operation and a highly competent overall experience. Stepping up to the hybrid also begets stability control and the top-of-the-line XLE interior package, minus leather seats.
City: 33 mpgHighway: 34 mpgCombined: 34 mpg (Ratings from 2008 model year)Base Price: $25,860
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