The Best 2009 Hybrid Vehicles

It goes without saying that hybrid vehicles are the private transportation of the future. The reasons include the fact that we have a finite supply of crude oil, the rising cost of gas over which we have very little control, our dependence on unfriendly nations for our oil supply, and the negative effects of gasoline exhaust on the environment.

Saving, be it the environment or on gas, is the primary reason most people buy these types of vehicles. To this end, it is anticipated that 2009 will be a big year for makers of hybrids because consumers are trying to reduce their consumption in the current economic downturn. It is during times like these that high gas mileage trumps size and becomes a major deciding factor when buying personal transportation.

King of the Road
The king of high mileage per gallon of gas is none other than the Toyota Prius. One of the first alternative-fuel vehicles to appear on the US auto market, the Prius offers 45 city and 48 highway miles to the gallon. The 2009 model has a bigger engine; therefore, provides more horsepower and has been designed with a very light frame aimed at pushing the gas mileage as close to 50 as is possible by improving the length of time it can run gas-free.

Close Runner-Up
The Honda Civic hybrid is second and it offers 40 city and 45 highway miles per gallon. It costs a bit more than the Prius, but has a sleeker look. The 2009 model has better battery packs and its regenerative braking system is capable of eliminating almost all emission from the vehicle. It is, also, the best choice for consumers who consider safety a priority when choosing a vehicle.

Third in Line
The third most fuel efficient hybrid vehicle is the Smart For Two. The smart car burst onto the market in Europe and is slowly becoming popular in the U.S. It offers 33 city and 41 highway miles per gallon. The major drawback to the Smart For Two is its size. It is very small, light, and has comparatively low horsepower compared to the other hybrids. However, it can be considered cute, affordable, and is perfect for city dwellers who don't want to spend too much money on a car. The 2009 model comes with a transmission that can be changed between manual and automatic.

Another Good Choice
The BMW Mini Cooper is another great choice of hybrid because of its high gas mileage. It offers 28 city and 37 highway miles to the gallon. The 2009 model comes in automatic and manual. It is built with BMW's pure quality, has an updated suspension thus providing a smoother ride, and has enough horsepower to hold its own on any U.S. highway.

Hybrid vehicles can be more expensive than all-gas vehicles; however, in the long run they will save the consumer and have a positive impact on the environment. Furthermore, nothing says "I'm hip and aware!" as being behind the wheel of a 2009 fuel efficient hybrid vehicle.

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Hybrid the Environmentally Friendly Car

Not everyone is comfortable with a fuel efficient vehicle that only has two wheels like a moped or a motorcycle. There shouldn't be a push for a person who isn't confident in their ability to operate one to have to do so. This can result in a accident occurring and that isn't worth saving money on fuel costs.

For other people, those types of vehicles just aren't practical. You may have a family so you need to drop the baby at daycare and another child off at school. You can't do that without a regular vehicle.

You may live in an area where it is too cold for most of the year to get any real use out of those two wheeled options even though they are fuel efficient. There is no need to worry though as you do have some really good options.

One of them you have likely heard a great deal about: the hybrid car. This is a type of vehicle that operates using two different fuel sources. One of them is gasoline and the other is either solar power or electricity. With the solar power, there are cells that charge during the day. With the electricity there are batteries that have to be recharged on a regular basis.

Regardless of which one you choose, gasoline will be the back up fuel source. This means when you don't have any more solar power in the cells or any more electricity in the batteries you will switch over to the gasoline that is in your vehicle.

Once you have the opportunity to recharge the main energy source, it will switch back over. You don't have to do anything to get the vehicle to go from one power source to the next. It will be an automatic switch over and it can happen in the middle of your commute to work. You won't lose power in the vehicle so don't worry about the speed limit that you are driving.

A hybrid vehicle is designed to be able to save energy in ways that ordinary vehicles can't. Pushing on the brakes of your vehicle is a common practice. It helps you to slow down when you need to as well as to completely stop your vehicle. In a regular vehicle the braking process results in more fuel being used. This is because they car has to get back to a certain speed and it takes fuel to do so. Hybrids rely on a process known as regenerative braking. Instead of using more fuel you will actually create more energy each time you step on the brakes.

All hybrids also have an automatic shut off sensor. This means when you roll up to a stop sign the engine will completely stop. As soon as you step on the accelerator pedal, it will restart. As a result, the excess idling that adds up and wastes fuel is completely eliminated.

A smaller motor is used in hybrid vehicles so it takes less fuel to give them the necessary power. However, you don't have to worry about not having enough power to go the proper speed limit or anything like that. Some people have a fear that a hybrid car will be slow and that it will just leave them stranded due to not enough energy. This isn't a scenario that will ever become a reality for anyone with a hybrid vehicle.

They are very well made and for years they were researched before offered to the general public. In fact, hybrids were tested by companies all over the world including the various branches of the United States military.

For those individuals who want to continue driving larger sized vehicles, a hybrid can be the perfect solution. There are small vehicles but also the large ones including the Yukon by GMC and the Tahoe by Chevrolet. Both of these were added in 2008 to meet consumer demands. These hybrid vehicles are expensive though and that is what often prevents consumers from buying them.

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Hybrid Vans in the Future?

An increasing awareness of the impact that fossil fuels are having on the environment has forced manufacturers to seek alternative methods of powering all kinds of vehicles, including vans. Whilst the technology to create commercial vans that are entirely powered by 'green' fuels is still in its infancy, the hybrid vehicle is currently the market leader in environmentally friendly vehicle design.

Hybrid vans run on a combination of fuel and electricity technology, although with the advent of better battery design some manufacturers are now looking at producing commercially viable vans that run purely on battery power. Recent research into the charging time of standard batteries is producing some interesting developments in 'rapid charge' cells, but these are still a couple of years away from being an effective commercial option. So most manufacturers opt for the combination choice or even incorporate other fuels such as LPG (liquid petroleum gas) or natural gas into their hybrids. Those vans that incorporate fuel/electricity technology have the edge, though, as battery power does not directly emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gasses.

New design parameters are placing the drive battery under the van's flooring, which means that there is no loss of cargo area in the back of the van. This is an important consideration for logistics companies who want to maximise the use of space as efficiently as possible whilst still adhering to a greener transport policy.

The continuous action of stop/start traffic that most delivery vans find themselves trapped in on a daily basis is a major drain on the vehicle's fuel, so the larger capacity provided by hybrid technology can be of real benefit in congested, urban streets. The worst thing that can happen for any logistics company is for their vehicles to run out of fuel in the middle of a delivery run. By incorporating battery technology into commercial vehicles, the van has enough power stored in the battery to keep then running for longer. The driver dictates which mode they wish to drive in - either diesel or electric - at the touch of a button. With certain models once the van goes hybrid a control computer then manages the drive, letting the engine alternate with the electric motor in driving the van. Some other designs incorporate regenerative braking, using the wheels' momentum to act as a generator for the battery recharging function.

The amount of research and development being put into hybrid vans also includes a plethora of safety equipment, including innovations in crash prevention systems as well as the standard airbags and crumple protection zones. All of this can combine to make hybrid vans safer and consequently reduce the cost of both 'personal use' van insurance and commercial van insurance. With everyone looking to save money where they can in the current economic climate, any opportunity to acquire a vehicle that can offer cheap van insurance as well as being economically viable as a commercial vehicle and environmentally friendly at the same time has to be an attractive proposition. This, combined with a continuing emphasis into producing better and more efficient cars and vans means that hybrid vehicles have a great deal to offer and could change the way that logistics companies think about fleet management.

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The Best Toyota Hybrid Car this 2009

Toyota, the famous Japanese car brand, is one of the very few car makers that had initially taken the heed to develop and market hybrid cars in the market.

It is in this dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction that sets Toyota above the rest. Now, it enjoys being the top car seller worldwide, beating the long-time leaders and giants like the United States-based General Motors and Germany's Ford and Volkswagen.

Toyota has been on top for valid and practical reasons. It is determined to snap away leadership from threats and competition.

The strategy adopted by the company in unveiling and marketing hybrid cars is immensely amazing. Today, there are two top hybrid car models originating from Toyota that would surely be on top of your list when you shop around for hybrid cars.

The Toyota Prius hybrid

The Toyota Prius definitely is Toyota's middle-sized gasoline-electric or otherwise known as hybrid car. This

hybrid car, according to earlier buyers are really a joy to drive.

The Toyota Prius relies on an effective combination of the gas engine, the electric motor and a set of battery pack that move and run the hybrid car going along the road.

Prices range from $20,875 for the basic model, going up to about $25,940. Demand for this hybrid car model has outpaced its own production; thus, some buyers are already waiting weeks or even months just so they could own a Prius.

Consequently, Toyota has abruptly increased the production of this hybrid car. As most of the car's early buyers and owners would tell you, it is definitely worth all the wait.

Prius' technology

When you are driving a Prius, it would be hard not be amazed by the hybrid car's technology. Engine starting this hybrid car is not done simply by turning a key the traditional way, spurring ignition.

Initiating this hybrid car is done by pressing the round "Power" push button on the dash. You will also find an interactive, a touch sensitive, a multi-information display monitor or screen that is mounted within in the center console.

This display has a number of modes and can indicate things like energy flow between power and train components, the consumption of fuel, the radio settings, the sensitive climate control, or the many other function of this hybrid vehicle.

But the car's technology, just like its ultra and unique futuristic styling and exterior design, could be seen either positively or negatively, that would depend on an observer's point of view.

Overall, the Toyota Prius hybrid car delivers smoother ride and definitely has ample amounts of rooms for a number of passengers. The interior volume is also very versatile. Similarly, the lift-back hatch in the rear and the fold down seats in the rear will make make carrying heavier and larger items so easy.

The Toyota Camry

Definitely, no one will be accused of committing reckless driving for purchasing a Toyota Camry hybrid.

This hybrid car model is so safe, dependable, comfortable and attractive, not to mention predictable. Based on the sales volume-about 430,000 units sold in the United States alone in 2005-most Americans are so happy with the reliability and affordability of this set of wheels that are fit for the family.

The Toyota Camry hybrid has been America's top-selling passenger hybrid vehicle for the past couple of years.

Being practical, why not invest a premium or more for the Toyota Camry hybrid drive, which offers an Environmental Protection Agency high-rating of about 40 miles to a gallon, giving you about 700 miles between breaks or next visit to the nearest gas station?

The Toyota Camry hybrid car is not the industry's first attempt to offer a hybrid vehicle in an upbeat, vogue and ultra-popular model. In late 2004, rival firm Honda launched the hybrid version of its top seller Accord-the United States' second most popular model of car behind the Camry.

But, Honda run short on its effort for hybrids because it used hybrid technology for supposedly better performance rather than for fuel economy, which is deemed more important these times due to the soaring gasoline prices.

Overall, whichever Toyota hybrid car model you choose, for sure you will always be a winner. Toyota really has come up with the best and high-quality cars, hybrid or not, surpassing all the competitors.

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Top List Of New Hybrid Cars 2009

The list of hybrid vehicles currently available is fairly long. This is not surprising because hybrid vehicles are tomorrow's cars available today. Particularly for the American market, the hybrid vehicle is highly popular because of the growing concern with the environment.

Below is a random list of hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles that are available only in the Japanese market were excluded. And this is not to discriminate our Japanese friends because it acknowledged that their hybrid vehicles were the first to reach the world wide market in mass production.

What we have down there is a hybrid vehicles' list available in Europe and the United States, where the market for hybrid vehicles is huge.

Under Ford, we have hybrid vehicles list that include Ford Escape Hybrid released in 2005. The second is the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, released in late summer of 2004.

The Ford Escape (Code U204) is a compressed crossover SUV. It is sold by the automaker Ford Motor Company in the market since 2001 and priced below the Ford Explorer.

With Honda, the hybrid vehicles listed are Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, and Honda Insight. The third one was a recipient of International Engine of the Year Award for 2000.

The Honda Insight is a 2-seater hatchback hybrid automobile. It was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile sold in the United States, introduced in 1999. According to the EPA, the 5-speed manual transmission variant of this hybrid is the most fuel-efficient automobile sold in the United States. The Insight also features low emissions: the California Air Resources Board gave the 5-speed model a ULEV rating, and the CVT model earned a SULEV rating.

The Honda Civic Hybrid on the other hand, is a hybrid version of the Honda Civic sedan.

For this 2003 model of the Civic, its manufacturer added a variable transmission with an Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system similar to that of the Honda Insight. This has created a fuel efficient hybrid sedan. The current version of this car however, was redesigned.

The Honda Accord Hybrid though, is a hybrid version of the North American Honda Accord. The Accord Hybrid currently is priced at US$3,000 higher than the EX V6 model Accord, and retains the same trim and feature levels.

For the General Motors, their list of hybrid vehicles comprises the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid, which is considered by many as a Mild hybrid. Also included are the New Flyer and Gillig hybrid buses with Allisons electric drive system as the main feature. The last two are the Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid, and the Saturn VUE Green Line hybrid.

GM launched a hybrid version of the Silverado/Sierra in 2005, as the first ever GM hybrid vehicle. But as what have been said, it is a mild hybrid, strictly speaking. The electric motor serves only as power trimmings, but includes a system that also automatically shuts down when the truck brakes below 13 mph. When this happens, it automatically draws on electric power to restart itself.

The hybrid truck features four 120 volt 20 amp AC outlets. This vehicle is interestingly, suited to those in the building and construction market, since AC power is almost available in their worksite. The extra power reserve of this car makes it well-suited with this particular market.

Toyota on the other hand, includes Prius, the Highlander, and the midsized Camry.

For the record, the Toyota Prius is considered as the world's first commercially mass-produced hybrid vehicle. But although it went on sale in Japan as early as 1997, its worldwide debut was in 2001.

Records show that in 2003, some 160,000 units were produced specifically for three major markets: Japan, Europe, and North America. In Latin, prius means "before" or "first". The Prius 2004 model, was redesigned as a midsize hatchback, and was certified as an Advanced Technology Partial zero-emissions vehicle.

Prius has won the Car of the Year awards for Europe, Japan and North America.

Lexus' list of hybrid vehicles consists of Lexus RX400h, Lexus LS600hL, and the Lexus GS450h. The last on the list of Lexus, GS450h, is a compact hybrid vehicle.

Other hybrid vehicles that made it to the American market includes Nissan's Altima Hybrid; Peugeot's Peugeot 307 CC Hybride HDi; and Renault's Kangoo.
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