Five Cool Hybrids to Consider in 2008

It's unlikely Ferdinand Verbiest was known as an environmentalist nor did he likely have a quest to be "green." But as a Jesuit priest of Belgian ancestry living and working in China, Verbiest was a visionary.

Four centuries ago, give or take a few years, Verbiest was a renowned astronomer. But he also spent more than a decade developing a four-wheeled vehicle that could be powered by steam or horse. It was the first hybrid and it was short-lived.

Depending upon one's perspective, either a lot or not much changed in hybrid cars until 1997. That's when Toyota debuted the Prius only to car buyers in Japan.

A decade later, the automotive industry is fully engrossed in the world of hybrid and other alternatively powered cars.

The Prius remains at the forefront of the industry, accounting for about half of 350,000 hybrids sold in the United States in 2007. But while the high-mileage Toyota dominates the market, an ever-expanding array of manufacturers know there's plenty of room for everyone. Less than three percent of new cars sold in the country last year were hybrids.

As such, economy to luxury, sedans to pickup trucks, more than 65 hybrid choices will be available in the United States by 2010.

Here's a look at five 2008 hybrid offerings:

* Chevrolet Malibu - Base price, $22,1400; Safety Features, dual-front, front side and side curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage estimates, 22-27 mpg; Warranty, Bumper to Bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 6 years/100,000 miles.

It's hard not to Malibu advertisements. With its keen redesign for 2008, Chevrolet put everything it had into the marketing of the car named after the southern California beach city.

The promotion began in earnest during the World Series and it hasn't waned. Chevrolet wants the Malibu to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, and that's a hefty task.

With it hybrid version, new for 2008, the Malibu feature GMC's "mild hybrid system" rather than its dual mode full hybrid system.

And when compared to other hybrids mainstays, the Malibu still goes in reverse before it finds forward gears. The reason: Early mileage for the hybrid are about two percent higher than to 22 to 27 mph for the gas engine Malibu. That's little to boast about particularly when you're trying to compete against established brands.

The hybrid's configuration is a 36-volt electric motor coupled with a 2.4 liter Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine with a four-speed manual transmission. Using an integrated starter-generator, mild hybrids, shut the gasoline engine off at stoplights.

With its well-touted exterior redesign, the new Malibu also features a sharp new interior that chrome outlines on gauges, center vents and the console shifter. Wood and several two-tone trims are also available.

Beyond cosmetics, the Malibu's interior leg and body room is spacious, but head room remains only adequate. Its average head clearance can be overlooked considering the fast trunk, expansive access area and the spacious passthrough from the rear-seat to the trunk.

Overall, the Malibu hybrid offers an enticing price point in an exciting, attractive new version of a near-classic car that's been around since 1964. But the hybrid version doesn't yet distinguish itself against industry leaders.

* Ford Escape - Base price, $25,655; Safety Features, dual-front, front side and side curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage estimates, 30-34 mpg; Warranty, Bumper to Bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 8 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.

Since its debut in 2004, the Escape has quickly built a steady following as the most fuel-efficient hybrid sport utility vehicle. But there's more to the Escape than great gas mileage for its class.

While sharing the same platform as its close hybrid siblings - the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner, the Escape feature a "full" hybrid electric system. The engine works in three ways - as pure electric, pure gas power or a combination of the two. After four years in its original design, the 2008 updated edition square-looking, giving the Escape a more rugged appearance.

In previous years' editions, the Escape was rather noisy. But the '08 improvements include a laminated windshield, acoustic headliner and thicker carpeting. And the console has also been streamlined and modernized.

While braking or decelerating, the Escape's hybrid system relies on regenerative braking. The electric motor operates as a generator and coverts the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries.

The transfer presents the Escape hybrid's one major concern: When decelerating, the engine has a high-pitched whine. It's not unlike the sound of a distant ambulance. Once you get used the noise, all is well.

The Escape hybrid's 4-cylinder gas engine and electric motor combine for 155 horsepower and is available only with an automatic transmission. As such, the hybrid isn't a quick accelerator, but it seems faster than its rating of 0-60 mph in 9.6 seconds. And it's quicker than the gas-only Escape.

The hybrid Escape has a diverse, if small, selection of standard features: rear window defrost, two-speed wipers and an easy-to-use liftgate with flip-up glass. But my test vehicle also included an expensive option with a cumbersome name - the Energy Audiophile and Navigation System ($1,995). It also included a few odd extra charges, an AC 110-volt power outlet ($180), for example. A "leather comfort group" added another $595, a non-detailed safety package also added $595 and the appearance package added $695.

The options and the destination charge pushed the total price to more than $30,000. It's a hefty total for a compact SUV. But at least the sticker price can be rationalized with superior fuel efficiency and the hybrid's clean exhaust-system benefits.

* Honda Civic - Base Price, 24,350; Safety Features, Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage estimates, 49-51 mpg; Warranty, Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles, Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.

Economy to design, functionality to comfort, the country's second most popular hybrid has as much to offer as any car on the road and at any price.

The 2008 edition (the Civic's 36th year) is the third year of the second generation of the hybrid and is part of the ever-expanding array of one the most enduring enduring vehicles on the road today.

Long gone is the Civic's former staid appearance. It's now a sporty, full-sized sedan that comfortably seats five. And it has a new overt quality - quietness.

During stops it seems like the Hybrid's engine has stopped. Instead, it's the engine operating solely on electric power. The hybrid Civic is equipped with a 110-horsepower, 1.3-liter engine with two relatively new features largely known by acronyms, IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). A five-speed manual transmission was previously available, but now the hybrid is only offered with an automatic transmission.

The IMA allows the vehicle to operate solely on electric power in certain situations. The CVT feature replaces conventional gears with a belt-and-pully system that continuously and automatically adjusts to provide a more efficient and nearly unlimited number of drive ratios.

The Civic's near-futuristic instrumentation panel offers a unique visual. The odometer and speedometer cluster panel is narrow, horizontal and contoured for the driver's vision just over the curved top of the steering wheel. It's a unique look, and it's one more reason why the Civic Hybrid just works.

* Mercury Mariner - Base price, $25,655; Safety Features, dual-front, front side and side curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage estimates, 29-27 mpg (AWD); Warranty, Bumper to Bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 8 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited miles.

Now in its third year, the Mariner hybrid received a refreshed interior and exterior for 2008, and with its re is available with three engine options, with the hybrid teaming an all-wheel-drive, four-cylinder gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor, and it uses a continuously variable automatic transmission.

The Mariner's hybrid system automatically runs on one or both power sources. The hybrid and the larger V6 option also include four-wheel disc brakes and an antilock braking system (ABS).

Like most SUV's, (hybrid or gas) the Mariner provides good visibility and versatility. It offers a surprisingly adept turning radius and a smooth, steady ride . Likewise, like its hybrid brethren, the Mariner is particularly quiet during stops when the electric motor dominates.

Hybrids aren't known for swift acceleration or power to spare, and that's holds true for the Mariner. It's not slow (it has a 0-60 mph rating of 9.6 seconds). But accelerating does take an extra effort, and the hybrid could use some extra horsepower on steady inclines.

The Mariner has a handsome exterior with nicely contoured edges, a complementary front grill and well-designed front and rear lights. It has room for five adults, good leg and head room, and good cargo space with individual window and rear hatch opening

It's available in one four-door body style with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Standard features include: air conditioning, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cup holders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, windows and door locks, remote keyless entry, keypad entry, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, floor mats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights and rear back-up hazard detection system.

The Mariner's leather trim, navigation system, side airbags and heated power mirrors are all part of the nearly $4,000 "premium package."

With its option costs and delivery and destination charges, the Mariner's final approaches $33,000. That's more than many of its competitors, but Mercury hopes the vehicle's good looks and steady marks in most categories will help it attract a good share of the crowded SUV market.

* Toyota Prius - Base price, $20,950; Safety Features, dual-front, front side and side curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage estimates, 45-48 mpg; Warranty, Bumper to Bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 8 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles.

It's not only the most popular hybrid, it's among the best-marketed and now among the country's top-10 best-selling cars.

And what did Toyota do with the Prius as the dominant hybrid on the market? It further slammed the competition by lowering the price.

The Prius is also among the industry's most deceiving offering. It looks small from the outside, but it's really a midsize sedan with a wondrous design.

In short, how does a angular-shaped body style provide so much room for passengers and cargo alike?

Spaciousness aside, the Prius has built its reputation as the country's most fuel-efficient hybrid, although its EPA mileage estimates have been lowered to just under 50 mpg in 2008. Still, it's common for owners to boast substantially higher average, particularly among those with primarily city driving routines.

The Prius can operate on electricity alone in combination with its four-cylinder engine. It's available in three body styles - standard, base and touring. The new standard model features 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, full power accessories, tilt steering wheel, touchscreen controls, a hybrid system display and a six-speaker stereo with CD player. The base model adds cruise control, different wheels and heated side view mirrors. The Touring model adds a sportier suspension, 16-inch wheels and Xenon headlights.

The Prius' options list is extensive, with five distinct packages that combine rearview camera, keyless ignition, HomeLink, foglamps, an auto-dimming mirror, leather upholstery and steering wheel, auxiliary audio jack, MP3 playback, Bluetooth, a navigation system and a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer. Satellite radio is also a dealer option.

A 1.5-liter gasoline engine and two electronic motors, respectively, for the front wheels and as a generator to recharge the battery pack, power the Prius.

Regardless of electric or gas usage, however, the Prius, now in its third generation, is smooth and steady, although never peppy. It's also loaded with standard safety equipment: antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Stability control is a package option.

Non Prius converts still scoff at the vehicle's unique look. But Toyota has little concern. From its humble worldwide debut in 2001, the Prius is now among the auto industry most talked products - with good reason.