In the category of affordable midsize SUVs, there is only one that can be ranked the best.  The 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is that vehicle.  This hybrid SUV was redesigned last year to offer a more spacious interior and a refined, smoother ride.  The price is a little steep compared to the non-hybrid Highlander, but it is the top of the class with the hybrid SUV market.  This year the Highlander remains unchanged and is seen as an excellent family vehicle.  The Highlander also does well in government crash tests.  It earned five stars for driver safety and four stars for passenger safety in frontal crash tests.  It gets five stars in all aspects of side crash safety.  And on top of the safety and great performance, it will get you 27 mpg in the city, which is top notch for the hybrid SUV.

The top hybrid SUV in the luxury midsize category is the 2009 Lexus RX 400h.   Despite the high price its driving performance is comparable to its non-hybrid counterpart.  It is one out of two luxury hybrid SUVs in this class on the market currently and it far outshines its competitor in performance.  One drawback is that although it is a hybrid SUV it is not intended for off-roading.  In safety the Lexus RX 400h earned five stars in all frontal and side crash testing.  There are also several additional safety features that help make you feel all the more comfortable in your luxury vehicle.

Among the large SUVs the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid takes top honors.  Its performance is well ranked, although as with most other hybrid SUVs it can seem a bit top heavy in handling.  This is the debut year of the Escalade Hybrid and it is anticipated to not disappoint.  The exterior is sleek and luxurious looking.  It closely resembles its non-hybrid sibling but with much better gas mileage.  Reviewers feel the interior leaves a little to be desired but is overall above most others.  Safety is above reproach, with five stars in all frontal crash tests.  Its gas mileage is not the best at 20 mpg in the city but the Escalade Hybrid still remains one of the top vehicles in the hybrid SUV world today

The exterior upgrades may not be readily apparent but the six-sided grille and new front bumper give the model a modern updated appearance.  The windshield also has more of a slant than is traditional, also increasing the modern appearance.  The interior now features a satellite-linked navigation system and Bluetooth capabilities.  The audio system includes a USB Audio Interface that will allow you to use your flash drive with MP3 or WMA files or your iPod while driving.  To complete the new interior look, a leather trim in now available in the Honda Civic Hybrid.

The handling system of the Honda Civic Hybrid is geared more toward comfort than speed and it succeeds quite well.  The turning circle seems to have been cut down by a few inches from the last model, but is not overly noticeable.  Although the car is carrying a battery pack in back, as do all hybrids, it still handles very nimbly despite the extra weight.  A new development in this model allows for it to function completely electrically when maintaining a low speed and steady throttling pace.  This is in addition to the regular operation of the hybrid engine that will switch to electric power when idling, although improvements have made this process more seamless in the new model.

With a base price of $26, 700, you can safely be assured of a superb gas mileage and reliable car.  The company will tell you that 45 mpg on the highway is the usual, but it seems that approximately 35 mpg is average.  Overall the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid has managed to take a consistently best seller and make it even more upscale and flawless.

Available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is well equipped for the driver’s every need.  The 2008 model included an upgrade in the Premium package with heated leather seats, rear parking sensors, DVD-based navigation and seven speakers worth of audio.

The standard 2.3-liter motor is packaged with the typical electric hybrid system.  The all-wheel drive edition has a third electric motor specifically to provide power to the rear tires.  Thus the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is not a true all-wheel drive vehicle.  So if you need to do some serious off-roading or snow work, the regular gas powered model might be a better option.

With the electric and gas engines working together the Mercury Mariner Hybrid has a total horsepower of 155.  It feels just as fast as its gas-powered counterpart, but has the added benefit of greatly increased gas mileage.  The engine does have a tendency to make a lot of noise at higher speed, but around town it is not noticeable different.  As with most SUVs, hybrid or otherwise, it does feel a bit top heavy especially around turns.  In addition, the brake pedal has been reported to be unusually stiff initially and this can take some getting used to.

The interior of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid combines a mix of function and elegance that make the car feel like a luxury sedan.  The entire cabin has accents of chrome, wood-grain and aluminum trims.   The backseat is large enough for a pair of adults to be seated comfortably.  The one drawback is the fact that the cabin only stays cools with the engine is running, which can be frustrating in warm weather.  All of these features make the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid a stylish and fuel-efficient SUV for an affordable starting price under $30,000.

The interior is only the beginning of the luxurious accommodations you can expect.  There is leather upholstery, cooled and heated front seats, wood trim, Bluetooth, dual climate control, and keyless ignition all come standard.  The additional options for the Lexus GS 450h are even more impressive.  Everything from a navigation system to a 14-speaker audio system can be added to further personalize your vehicle.

Although the car seats five, the more accurate description should be that it seats four comfortably and five a bit less comfortably.  The elevated back seat can make seating three in the back a little uncomfortable but it can be done.  The genuine wood and aluminum trims look very modern and stylish.  One downside is that in certain light the wood can cast a glare.  There is also a lot less trunk space than in the other GS models, this is due to the battery pack placement.

The separate 3.5-liter engine and the electric motor give the Lexus GS 450h an impressive 340 horsepower.  The transfer of power from the gas motor to the electric is seamless and you will not notice any change in noise that is common with other hybrid models.  The Lexus GS 450h achieves 25 mph on the highway, which may not seem like a lot in comparison with other hybrids.  But when you compare it to vehicles of the same style that very impressive.

The 2009 Lexus GS 450h is a very smooth and responsive ride.  The two modes of operation, Comfort and Sport, will adjust its performance to your every whim.  The brakes can be a bit touchy at first, but this is very quickly adjusted to.  The potent performance combined with hybrid efficiency make the Lexus GS 450h one of the finest and most modern cars currently on the market.

The Chevy Silverado Hybrid, also slated for a 2009 release, will join it and the two essentially function identically.  However the GMC Sierra Hybrid will cost a little more due to its description as a professional grade truck.  It features the same hybrid technology as other hybrid SUVs.  It has an engine that will shut down half of its cylinders while cruising and shutting down completely when the truck comes to a stop.  The addition of the electric motors dictates that the only available transmission is a four four-speed automatic.

Unlike the regular gas powered model the GMC Sierra Hybrid is also available only in a four-door crew cab with a short cargo bed.  This is the most passenger-friendly and should be able to easily accommodate 5-6 people.  The seating accommodations more closely resemble that of an SUV instead of a pickup truck.  In addition to the seating style, the other cab amenities make the GMC Sierra Hybrid more suited toward hauling passengers than cargo, although it can do both.

Their towing and hauling capacity make most pickups reputations, and the GMC Sierra Hybrid is no different.  It has a maximum towing ability of 6,100 pounds with rear wheel drive and slightly less with the four-wheel drive.  This is more than sufficient to two a medium sized trailer and cargo.  This is significantly less than the regular gas powered model.  The GMC Sierra Hybrid is certainly not a leading authority in this arena, but it is capable of handling the average towing need.

If you need a large and powerful truck, and want to pay a higher price then you may have found the right hybrid for you.  However if you need a large cargo bed, or do not want to pay the higher starting price, the GMC Sierra Hybrid might not be for you.  Ultimately the truck’s limitations are compensated for the better fuel economy and savings at the gas pump.

The latest model of the Toyota Prius Hybrid has a few drawbacks to its credit.  It is less powerful and less maneuverable than similarly sized vehicles.  The interior can be a bit disappointing with some of its features.  The standard model also does not have cruise control or heated mirrors, but the lower standard price is a nice tradeoff.  On the plus size it is highly fuel-efficient, has low emissions and generous interior space.

Although the Toyota Prius Hybrid is considered the face of the going green movement, more than the hardcore environmental activist can appreciate its features.  It may look small from the outside but it is very well packaged to provide more than enough cargo and passenger space.  The newer models have even been customized more toward the luxurious side of things to provide wider appeal to consumers.

Like all hybrid models, it is best suited to those who don’t venture very far from town too often.  The engine is ideally suited to around town driving, and the stop and go of traffic lights.  The Toyota Prius Hybrid will do all right on the highway but the battery tends to run down and rely heavily on the engine.

Driving the Toyota Prius Hybrid is a different experience to driving a traditional vehicle.  Instead of the engine start up that we’re all used to there will merely a light on the instrument panel announcing that you are “Ready”.  The fact that it can accelerate to around 25 mph solely on electric power also tends to give the car an unusual sound to it, which can be difficult to adjust to.

You are looking at a car that has gone from nearly unknown to a top ten bestseller in just a few years.  There is a lot of competition within the hybrid field but the Toyota Prius Hybrid stands tall above the rest as the most versatile, customizable, best performing hybrid and fuel efficiency.

The 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid had a near complete renovation.  Most of the changes were interior updates and minor exterior changes.  The look of the interior was given a fresh, clean and contemporary look; far more than the previous models or the regular Escape model.  The interior is still considered to be lacking in certain respects, such as customization and versatility, as compared to other SUVs on the market.

The driving experience of this small SUV is different in several aspects, but still seems to be favored overall.  The Ford Escape Hybrid can seem a bit top heavy, especially around tight turns.  But this is hardly surprising as the SUV is carrying some extra 300 pounds.  It is also very limited in off-road capabilities in much the same way that the gasoline-only Escape is.

With its four-cylinder engine, it should be able to provide you with at least 30 mpg in city and highway driving.  The Ford Escape Hybrid does do quite well on the highway as compared to other hybrid vehicles.  The electric components and the gasoline engine work in conjunction under full acceleration circumstances.  And during the stop and go of city traffic the alternating system that is typical of the hybrid model takes over.

The cumulative horsepower of 155 may not sound all that impressive, but you would hardly know it when you drive.  The acceleration is quick and feels nearly as fast as other similarly sized SUVs.  The two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models allow for even more versatility in the power and speed of the vehicle.  Overall, the Ford Escape Hybrid is sure to be a success for years to come as an environment friendly, family sized SUV.

It is said the necessity is the mother of invention and surely there is a need in our society, not only to make cars more economical, but environment friendly. It can also be said that economics dictate ones actions. Still many consumers wont budge off their gas-guzzlers. Most of the people we surveyed for this article are very concerned about the price of gas. Some are irate, but at the end of the day, the real question they have is where can I buy gas. Seemingly more people are willing to pay the price for driving a gas hog. While consumers are beginning to accept hybrid cars , many feel they are over-priced and any potential savings in fuel costs in offset by the cost of the hybrid car. The past suggests there may have been some merit to their case.

However, recently hybrid cars have become more economical for purchase and designers have developed models more in line with the buying public’s taste. Toyota put out the first bona-fide mass produced hybrid car in Japan in 1997-the four-door Toyota Prius. I have been driving a Toyota Prius for the last week and plan a review for this dynamo of a car. One week and it has won me over, both in performance and fuel consumption. Now its on to car insurance shopping. The easiets way to is find a company that will will quote car insurance online .

Hybrid cars are generally very recognizable and that is changing. Consumers, particularly Americans want to drive cars that appeal to the eye first. The Americans love affair with the automobile dates back to the first car. As Hybrid cars advance in design they will be more widely accepted, and we are getting really close, stay tuned