About hybrid car - Toyota Hybrid Cars - Top of the Line
July 2nd, 2008
Toyota hybrid cars are the best selling hybrids in the U.S. But is Toyota the right car for you?
In the first six months of 2006, over 48,000 Toyota Prius and over 18,000 Highlander Hybrid models were sold, accounting for close to 50% of the entire U.S. hybrid car market share.
Hybrids seem to be here to stay, at least until even newer future technology appears on the scene. Since their introduction in 2000, sales of hybrids have skyrocketed by over 2000% and it looks like this rapid growth in sales is going to continue to expand.
And there’s little to no doubt Toyota hybrid cars will lead the way. In May 2006, for example, Toyota added a new model to their line of hybrids - the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
In just two short months, the Camry Hybrid jumped into second place in sales right behind the Prius. It’s easy to see why. The conventional gas Camry has been the number one selling car in the U.S. for just about every one of the last ten years.
What makes the Toyota hybrids so popular? Well, they like to give credit to what they call their Hybrid Synergy Drive. This “seamless integration” of gas engine and electric motor provides amazing fuel economy, while virtually eliminating emissions. The current Toyota Prius, for example, meets the strictest California emission standards. It rates as a partial zero emissions vehicle (PZEV).
The Prius, recommended by Consumer Reports, gets as much as 45 mpg under actual road conditions, has good acceleration and ample interior room for a mid-size car.
And, like most Toyotas, the Prius is incredibly reliable. Prius customers, for example, have reported driving as far as 85,000 miles without a brake pad replacement. Most conventional gas car brake pads last about 15,000 miles.
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is also recommended by Consumer Reports. Its 3.3-liter V6 engine is vastly improved by the addition of three electric motors. Together they produce an impressive 268 hp, making the hybrid even faster than the conventional gas model Highlander car.
But the Highlander Hybrid’s 22 mpg isn’t much improvement over the gas model. And, at a premium of over $4,000, it would take a while to offset the increased price tag.
The new Toyota Camry Hybrid, however, at 34 mpg and 600 miles per tank of gas, offers the fuel economy of a much smaller vehicle. The Camry hybrid is a four-cylinder, 187 hp sedan that is spacious, comfortable and very quiet. And, like its stable mates, it’s been getting excellent reviews and has a Consumer Reports recommendation.
The Camry, including the hybrid model, has been named 2007 Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine. Angus MacKenzie, editor of Motor Trend, says, “The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone - performance, efficiency, and roominess - at a price point most all Americans can afford.”
Whether you’re considering a hybrid to save money on gas, to make a political statement or to save the planet, Toyota hybrid cars are the standard bearers and should be at the top of your list to check out.
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Maria Cuttini is author of the 40 page “Hybrid Car Buyer’s Guide.” For a limited time, Maria is offering free downloads of her book at http://www.AlternativeCarNews.com. Visit the site today to learn more about hybrid cars and how do hybrid cars work. |
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