Herb Chambers Hybrids: Tops of 2007

October 17, 2008 · Filed Under 2008 Top Hybrids, Archives, Hybrid Makes & Models, News, Top Hybrids

The Top Hybrids…Cars.com

We are going to do some samplings from some of the best of the best lists and authority authors. The lists for Top Hybrids for 2008 do seem to agree on several makes.

This article is based on a sample of the Cars.com list authored by Joe Wiesenfelder.

Joe took a different approach to the usual criteria for his rankings;

“Hybrid rankings have often been simplistic: Most are little more than lists of the highest-mileage models on the market. Here, we ranked hybrids based on how much fuel savings they get when compared to their non-hybrid version, as well as how much all that saved gas is going to cost you. Examinations that compare hybrids to “comparably equipped” versions miss an important point. Hybrids are almost always among the most expensive trim levels, if not the most costly, but our premise is that you’re looking for efficiency first, followed closely by price. This isn’t about acceleration, so the hybrids are compared to the lowest-priced, most-efficient gas-only trim level in their model line. Our rankings take into account the hybrid’s mileage and price premium, in percent, as well as its suggested retail price. This gives less-expensive models a boost while penalizing more-expensive ones.”

We see that one thing that holds true to many top ten lists is the showing of the Toyota Prius. It was listed at number 1 on this! We wanted to provide a peek at some of the hybrids that seemed more unique to this list – the number of luxury cars appearing on this list is indicative of a positive shift by the manufacturers to keep moving in an eco-friendly direction without sacrificing performance or luxury.

Now that’s progress!

Click the Photo’s below or the Links to get to the Herb Chambers Dealership carrying that Model.

Saturn Vue Green Line - Click Here for More Info

Dramatic mileage boosts get all the attention, but Saturn is onto something with this mild hybrid approach. The current Vue Green Line’s premium over the lowest-priced gas-only version is modest — only 14 percent. All the same, its city and highway mileage increases are 32 and 23 percent, respectively. What’s more, it’s priced below the V-6 version, whose mileage it roughly doubles. The only drawback: The Vue is the only hybrid SUV not to offer all-wheel drive. EPA -Estimated Mileage 25 / 32.

Toyota Camry Hybrid – Click Here for more Info

Not everyone wants a small, less-refined car like the Prius, which makes the Camry Hybrid the one for the masses. Priced 36 percent higher than the base four-cylinder model, it gets 57 and 10 percent better gas mileage (city and highway), and even more dramatic improvements over the V-6 versions whose prices it rivals. EPA – estimated mileage 33 / 34

Lexus RX 400h – Click Here for more Info

Though it’s a luxury model, the RX 400h’s price premium is a mere 10 percent over the gas-only RX 350. Combined with a 50 percent city mileage improvement and 4 percent highway bump, it’s a compelling package overall. The RX is similar to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which has a lower overall price and 1 mpg higher highway mileage, but that model’s higher price premium gives it a lower rank. With optional AWD, the RX 400h (26/24 mpg) is an even better deal, with mileage improvements of 53 percent and 9 percent compared to the all-wheel-drive RX 350. EPA – Estimated mileage 27 / 24

Lexus GS 450h – Click Here for more Info

Lexus’ GS 450h sedan comes in last because its cost increase outweighs the gains it gets in mileage. The base GS is the GS 350, a relatively efficient and low-priced V-6 model. There’s a 24 percent premium between it and the GS 450h, and what you get for it is a 16 percent city mileage improvement and a 7 percent decrease in highway driving. One could argue that the 450h is being shafted because Lexus offers such a high-mileage gas-only version. (When compared to the V-8-powered GS 460, the hybrid isn’t very expensive and gets better mileage.) But our assumption is that you want a GS and don’t want to pay a lot for efficiency. The 450h’s gains over the V-8 460 certainly have worth, but only you can conclude how much. In this ranking, the GS hybrid looks like a lot of money for little gain. EPA – Estimated mileage 22/ 25

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