The hybrid cars have become a necessity and the future of automobile. Due to increase in demand of gasoline with dark prospect of fossil fuels in near future, hybrid cars will be the rule of the game. Furthermore the cities are developing and changing into bigger cities. This means that now cities will have bigger infrastructures on rough terrains. So for all the problems, a hybrid SUV, with powerful engine is the best decision. Following are the top 7 cars available in 2010 which are not only fuel efficient but also are powerful in rough terrain.

Ford Escape Hybrid

The basic contradiction has not changed about the term “green SUV “but now they have evolved. And it certainly is a huge benefit that many of the SUVs are now available as hybrids. If you want to buy one of the most fuel efficient SUV that can give approximately 32mpg combined, escape is your choice. You will have to pay a $9000 for the Escape hybrid version of $30,000. This monster car has some of the most brilliant features which include all wheel drive option as well (but you don’t want to use that as economy suffers).

Hybrid Volkswagen Toureg

On number two on the list is the hybrid Volkswagen. This car has it all.  Its extravagant features matches a Porsche, and without any doubt is best available option for those who can’t afford a Porsche. Under its hood it uses a supercharged V-6 engine and hybrid system, very strong yet fuel efficient like a Porsche. The hybrid Volkswagen due to a V6 is fast and gets around 26mpg combined. So what are you waiting for, buy one.

Honda CR-V

Third on the list is the freshened version of Honda CR-V starting at $21,545. Honda CR-V is now more advance, beneficially economical, provided with 14 more horse power from its standard 2.4 liter engine. The improved fuel economy gives 27miles per gallon. One of the best feature is special choices are available in versatile trims with an optional V-6. As far as Honda is concerned, they themselves admire what the four offers. In this model attention has been paid to reduce the road noise.

Toyota RAV-4

On number 4 is the SUV pretty similar to the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV-4. With its history starting back in 1980s, this car has always been built with basic small and utilitarian concept. The two trims available a four cylinder 2WD and a V-6 with 4WD. The four cylinder 2WD gives 24 mpg and a V-6 with 4WD is 22 mpg. The V6 has about 100 more horsepower with amazing acceleration of 7.2 second 0-60 mph.

Subaru Forester

Fifth car on our list is the Subaru Forester, which is voted as the best small SUV by consumer reports in 2010. The basic features include 2.5 liter four cylinder engine offering an efficient performance and giving 22mpg overall. Like all Subareas, it comes with the 4WD. The best thing about this small SUV is the extra stretching out, spare room present in the back seat of the car giving it excellent reliability ratings.

BMW X6 Active Hybrid

X6 is on the sixth spot in our list, BMW’s first full hybrid vehicle. The car comes with a twin turbo V8 engine which produces 400 horsepower, duly supported with two pairs of beefy electric motors. The car can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds. Moreover the car can provide you with 17 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The carbon emissions are also reduced by 20 percent in this X6 Hybrid Trim.

In today’s high priced world of adaptable products, everything which is produced is made with an intention of fulfilling more than one desire of the consumer. Same is true when it comes to automobile industry. Cars are designed with much compensation for consumers in the mind. Today the best cars have two major qualities (i) they are reliable but low priced and (ii) they are fuel efficient and ecofriendly. Following are the state of the art cars which fulfills the above two needs of the owners:

Kia Rio
On the top of the list is a presentation of Kia. The name of the car is Rio. The manual version of this car gives 31 miles per gallon (mpg) without the advantage of a hybrid engine, which ultimately keeps the cost low i.e. just $11,495. On the other hand, the automatic drive gives a combined 30 mpg, better on the highway. Study on the overall performance of the Kia Rio verifies that it covers 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The overall cost to drive 25 miles is approximately $2.15 and annual fuel cost is $ 1294. And finally the gross carbon dioxide count is just 5.9 tons.

Smart For Two
Well, second on the list is the Smart car for two, now it’s on you to choose between the classic coupe and the convertible. The feature that makes this car the most fuel efficient non hybrid car on the market is that it delivers 36 mpg and costs just for $ 11,900 making it very affordable. Its overall stats verify that smart car for two covers 33 mpg in the city and 41 mpg at the highway. Overall cost to drive has been estimated to be around $ 1.85 for 25 miles and $ 1,113 has been estimated as per year fuel cost. Finally its gross carbon dioxide count is 5.1 tons.

Toyota Yaris
This Toyota wonder holds third position on our list, whether you select the 3-door hatch or the 5-door hatch (add $ 300) or the 5-door sedan (add $ 750). It gives 32 mpg at the price of $12,355. The overall stats investigation reveals that it gives 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway (35 for the manual). The total cost estimation per 25 miles has been estimated to be around $2.09 and annual fuel cost as $1,254. Lastly the gross carbon dioxide count is 5.7tons, making it the best choice.

Hyundai Accent Blue
Providing a mileage of 31mpg at a price of $13,645, Hyundai Accent Blue holds fourth position on our list. The statistical postmortem of this car shows that it gives 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. It gives 25 miles at the cost of $2.15 and per annum fuel cost as $1,294. Lastly the annual carbon dioxide count has been estimated as 5.9 tons.

Honda Fit
The last but not the least option in our list is the Honda Fit. This automatic 5-speed wonder gives best mileage of 31mpg at the price of $14,900 and it has been awarded as the greenest cars of 2010 by experts. Overall stats investigation shows that Honda fit gives 28mpg in the city and 35mpg on the highway. It covers 25 miles at approximately $2.15 and calculated annual fuel cost is $ 1,294. Moreover its measured carbon dioxide count is 5.9 tons annually.

So if you want to buy a car which does not only go for an extra mile with you, but also put fewer burdens on your pocket during purchase, above mentioned cars will be your number one choice.

The Lexus LFA one of the very stylish sports car series had been into news for the past some months because the company had announced the sale of the starting 500 models on the lease basis, recently Toyota has announced that it has sold out all the 500 copies of Lexus LFA supercar that it was earlier planning to build.

The reason behind this sale is not yet been quite clear and it is reported that Toyota will built only 20 copies of this model per month for a two year period that will start this December. The price details as provided shows that each model will come with a sticker price of $375,000 and the US customers will have to lease the car for two years.

Photo by lexusofwatertown

Earlier this statement had been reported by Toyota’s side “customer response has exceeded the number of available cars [and] it is possible that not all customers who expressed interest will have an opportunity to order”. The company has not shown that which region of the world has received what amount of sale, only this information has been provided that one third of the European orders were received from Germany.

Thus quite a good response for this ultimately dashing sports car is experienced in the international auto markets and now this thing can be surely said that this model is going to earn quite a good name for Toyota.

1. 2008 Lexus LS 600h:

It is a highly expensive yet beautifully designed sedan, with an enhanced environmental lineage and very fine driving performance. It comes with an Advanced Parking Guidance system. This system lets the car park at a proper place according to its own understanding, and the car takes pretty less time with no or occasional adjustments while parking.

As for the comfort, the driver doesn’t get typical aches and pains after or while driving due to the comfort provided by this car. Materials used for decorating interior are of high quality. Car’s system can be handled via an LCD, and voice commands. Pleasant display resolution show fine maps while navigating and the car also features live traffic reporting.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Excellent fuel economy and emissions rating
Advanced parking guidance system
Live traffic reporting
Very fine stereo system

Limitations:

Very expensive
Could have been better than what it really is.

2. 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid:

By upgrading 2008 Mercury Mariner to a great level, Ford has come up with this new hybrid, featuring two technologies; Sync and Sirius Travel Link, bigger engine, more horsepower, and enhanced fuel economy. The engine automatically turns off when the car’s stuck in traffic jam or stopped at a red signal, thus saving fuel. Routes are shown in detail, along with the description of any hindrance present in the way plus possible alternative routes.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Outstanding voice command with Sync technology
Travel Link provides required info about traffic situation and fuel price
Automatic engine turn off
Hard drive based, rich, 3D maps

Limitations:

Fuel economy under EPA numbers
Not an outstanding audio system

3. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid:

Packed with cabin features, this sedan uses Hybrid Synergy Drive; HSD. Inside the cabin, one will find a JBL stereo system with MP3 playback; Bluetooth enabled calling, the Plasmacluster ionizer, XM satellite radio, and voice activated GPS navigation. Plasmacluster helps eliminating injurious flying substances, thus keeping the inner atmosphere healthy.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Economical hybrid propulsion
Magnificent audio system
Bluetooth interface

Limitations:

Not very efficient GPS
Car jolts while switching power sources

4. 2007 Lexus GS 450H:

With comfort, economy, performance and technology, Lexus GS 450H is an affordable hybrid car. It features a powerful V6, with a high output permanent magnet electric motor, and 339 horsepower. Also, it includes a variable valve-timed engine, an ultra lightweight boost converter, regenerative braking, and variable gear-ratio steering and active variable suspension.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Environment friendly
Feature packed
Great performance

Limitations:

Minor problems with the variable gear-ratio steering system
Little hitches with GPS voice commands

5. 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid:

It is new-comer in hybrid family, a stylish and beautiful sedan. It comes with Bluetooth enabled voice dialing. Those who are into in cabin gadgets would have to spend more for optional Technology Package, which includes almost everything, ranging from GPS to Bluetooth connectivity, a 9 speaker BOSE audio system to a satellite radio, a rear-view monitor, a hybrid energy display; leather seats; a power moon roof and a lot more.

Product’s Unique Selling Points:

Lively drive
Economical car

Limitations:

Limited in-cabin gadgets, expensive optional tech features

Final Words:

These were the five top rated hybrid cars with their unique selling points and limitations listed. Many other manufacturers are stepping into the field, and the competition is getting tougher by moment.

Written by “Seemab”

It has a large 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerful engine and it is expected that this 3rd Gen Pirus will definitely improve mileage from its current 41mpg to a nice 50mpg.

According to Toyota, this large engine will help to improve mileage because this new engine can run at low average rpm.

Toyota also says that the mileage has been specifically improved cold starting conditions as well as at the higher speeds.

This new Prius is, undoubtedly, one of the most aerodynamic cars available in the mass market today.

It will be the first hybrid Prius that removes belts under bonnet and houses a 20% slighter electric powertrain with new braking system.

It will be available in three different driving modes, as you can enjoy all electric zero emission driving with EV-Drive. But you can do so only at lower speeds and nearly about one mile. Actually, with an added caveat it has been developed to move the car well in a good parking space.

For a sporty feel, sensitivity has been increased with Power Mode that helps throttling input. The Eco Mode has been featured to offer best mileage to the drivers.  Toyota is expecting to sell more than 400,000 new Prius by the end of 2010. Some extras like an auto collision detective system, LED lights photovoltaic solar moonroof are also there as optional.

The survey which involved random questioning of almost 1,700 American adults placed Toyota at the top and Honda at the second notch in consumers’ opinion regarding quality and environment friendliness. On the other hand, Honda clinched top slot considering value, with Toyota being second.

Ford, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz were overall the remaining top five logos. Mercedes managed to stay in the top five for design while Cadillac for its technical excellence. Both the autos remained in top five for quality.

Consumers give most attention to safety, design, prestige and marketing of these brands, said deputy online automotive editor Consumer Reports Jeff Bartlett.  Quality, value, performance, environmental friendliness, design and technology followed safety in importance for consumers while deciding to pick a car to buy.

Jeff said the whole thing is a robust first impression made by Honda and Toyota on the buyers and the media that the other cars fail to make. A lot of positive road test results of these vehicles are behind the rating whether they hold up in the long run or not. Volvo leads the category of top safety, with 71 percent holding it the safest brand.

The current Economic recession is also behind the delayed purchase decisions and to place less emphasis on looks which used to be crucial factors in study results two-years back and more on performance, Bartlett said.

In the new model, they have also taken care of the powerful towing capacity which was lacking in the previous models. The new rear suspension also gives passengers a very quite and smoother ride in addition to a larger interior space especially in the third row seat area.

This SUV is great for the big family who requires a larger interior space with a powerful towing and hauling capacities for carrying their trailers and boats during the family trips. The Sequoia’s seating and its cargo arrangements are very much adjustable delivering the multiple use functionality.

The Toyota Sequoia is a full size SUV. It comes with both rear wheel drive as well as all wheel drive. The 2009 Sequoia offers three trims namely- SR5, Limited, and Platinum. It also offers the choices of two V8 engines. 5.7 liter V8 engine with E85 compatible is new in 2009 models. The Sport Appearance package in SR5 is also new in the 2009 model. The SR5 and Limited models offers 18-inch wheels however, the Platinum sports models rides on 20-inches wheel.

The 2009 Sequoia offers its passengers a very comfortable ride by absorbing the bumps in the road. Although new Toyota Sequoia is a full size SUV with its curb weight of around 5,680 lbs. But one can easily handle this full size SUV in the city roads and move easily in the parking lots as compared to all other SUVs in the same segment. You can even adjust the height of the ride by looking in to the road conditions and driving instructions. This adjustment is made possible because it has adaptive air suspension available in the Platinum trim and an optional feature for other trims. The Sequoia has around 10 inches of the ground clearance and the skid plates are standard feature in all trims.

The 2009 Sequoia’s interior is made up of very high quality materials and offers a very top-notch comfort and feelings. In the SR5 and Limited trims the front captain’s chairs features a 40/20/40 split fold in a second row and a 60/40 split-folding in a third row bench. However, in case of Platinum the second row bench is being replaced with the bucket seats and center console. The bench and buckets can slide backward and forward. Likewise both second and the third row seats can also lie down.  The Limited and the Platinum trims have a power reclining features and also a power-folding setup is available for the third row. Also the second and the third row seats can fold flat to offer large capacity for the cargo.

The increased in the dimensions of the new Sequoia offers spacious legroom for all passengers. And most importantly the second row passengers have audio and the climatic controls of their own.

Some of the features in the base model SR5 are:

• Powered Windows
• Mirrors and Locks
• Key less or Remote entry
• Triple-zone climate control
• CD or MP3 player along with MP3 input jack.

In addition to the SR5 features, the Limited trim also offers:

• Leather upholstery
• Garage opener
• Heated mirrors
• 4 speakers JBL sound system with a 6 CD changer
• Trip computer

The Platinum trim includes the following features in addition to what are present in the other two trims:

• Powered Sunroof
• Heated second row seats
• Powered lift gate
• Navigation system with a rear view camera

Product Unique Selling Points:

• Spacious and Luxurious cabin
• Great hauling and towing capabilities
• Rear suspension offer smoother ride
• Easy maneuvering in city streets and parking lots
• Can accommodate up to 8 passengers

Limitations:

• Low Fuel Economy
• Pricey