Drivers looking at hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs should research hybrid ratings before heading to local dealerships. The popularity of hybrid cars has encouraged auto writers and magazines to develop hybrid rating systems to help consumers find the best values possible.
Looking For Hybrid Ratings And Reviews
The first step to finding a great hybrid car or truck is determining vehicles that fit within the household budget. A driver should calculate the difference between the regular and hybrid versions of cars to find the best value over the life of the vehicle. This calculation should take into account annual mileage, regular maintenance, and fuel costs to assess if a hybrid car is the right option.
Another concern for drivers looking at hybrid cars is the spaciousness of the cockpit. The success of the Toyota Prius® over the last five years has come from its balance between fuel efficiency, passenger room, and cargo capacity. The days of diminutive hybrid cars are over, as trucks and SUVs are outfitted with hybrid drive trains to accommodate new consumers.
While hybrid ratings may offer information on gas mileage and handling, consumers have to conduct their own research on warranties. Automakers like Toyota© and Honda© offer excellent warranties for their hybrid offerings to prevent customer dissatisfaction with green vehicles. The term hybrid does not imply product quality, and drivers should look carefully at manufacturer and extended warranties to protect themselves from breakdowns.
Sifting Through Hybrid Vehicle Promises
Hybrid ratings on the Internet and auto magazines cut through marketing language about greener vehicles to provide the truth to consumers. The average driver may not realize that the term hybrid is not monolithic, and new entrants in the hybrid car market may not offer great mileage. Hybrid vehicles from Ford©, Saturn©, and Chevrolet© are considered by hybrid experts as “soft” or “light” hybrids. These vehicles feature hybrid drive trains that offer marginally improved gas mileage over traditional vehicles.
Another area of concern for consumers using hybrid ratings is determining the disparity between EPA mileage ratings and reality. The EPA mileage rating that is featured on sales stickers and promotional materials separates city and highway ratings. Hybrid ratings and reviews allow drivers to determine if the EPA ratings are high, low, or consistent with actual performance. The best ratings will feature analysis of fuel mileage and performance over weeks or months rather than a few days to debunk inflated ratings.
Hybrid Ratings Websites
The starting point for hybrid car ratings for every consumer should be FuelEconomy.gov (http://www.fueleconomy.gov). This website is maintained by the U.S. EPA and the Department of Energy to assist consumers in their search for traditional and alternative-fuel vehicles. FuelEconomy.gov allows users to compare multiple hybrid cars going back to the 2001 model year with a few clicks of the mouse. The EPA and the DOE also promote federal tax incentives for purchasing hybrid vehicles alongside its extensive list of fuel mileage standards. Drivers can look at vehicles on the market using electric power, natural gas, and solar energy if hybrid ratings do not meet their standards.
Motor Trend Magazine© (http://www.motortrend.com) offers hybrid ratings based on its extensive library of road tests and first-look reviews. The Motor Trend© rating system gives consumers all the information needed to filter out undesirable vehicles before driving to dealerships. Users can find ratings for every model year of a particular vehicle along with MSRP pricing, photos, and EPA mileage ratings. The magazine adjusts this list each model year to reflect rising and falling vehicles based on driver experiences.
U.S. News and World Report© offers hybrid ratings through its News and Reviews section (http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com). The magazine uses a 10-point rating system to determine the best hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs each year. Reviewers offer ratings from 1 to 10 on five categories including interior, exterior, performance, safety, and reliability. Each hybrid rating offered by U.S. News and World Report© is accompanied by basic data like MSRP and invoice pricing along with gas mileage ratings. The credibility of this national news magazine ensures that its hybrid ratings and reviews are well respected by motorists and industry experts.
Drivers who head to the IntelliChoice© (http://www.intellichoice.com) website can peruse its Best Overall Values and Best Deals sections for hybrids. The Best Overall Value for each model year is based on an assessment of ownership costs over a five-year period. While IntelliChoice© does not feature a separate space for hybrids, the multitude of sedan, truck, and coupe ratings invariably features hybrids. IntelliChoice© updates its Best Deals section regularly to reflect the changing balance between hybrid prices, incentives, and economic circumstances. IntelliChoice© gives its readers the opportunity to rate their hybrids through the Motorist Choice Awards given out each year. The website uses overall vehicle satisfaction along with its ratings of ownership costs to determine which hybrid is the king of the hill each year.
Hybrid Road Tests And Reviews
While hybrid ratings may be beneficial in eliminating purchasing options, hybrid road tests can push drivers toward their favorite cars. Car and Driver© (http://www.caranddriver.com) has reviewed most hybrid cars and trucks that have hit the market in recent years. Each hybrid rating features a detailed assessment of the road test by an experienced writer, giving voice to the ratings offered by aforementioned websites. This assessment includes a “high” and a “low” from driving a particular car as well as a one-sentence summary of the hybrid driving experience.
Drivers in search of complete perspectives on hybrid cars and trucks can head to Edmunds.com© (http://www.edmunds.com). Every hybrid car listed on Edmunds.com© comes with a 360 degree view of the vehicle to show the roof, doors, back bumper, and other angles. The website’s reviewers offer clear and concise language about the driving experience with descriptions of handling, braking, suspension, and other important aspects. Since consumers want to see their prospective cars in action, Edmunds.com© includes video of closed-track tests with photos and performance details. Edmunds.com© archives its past reviews, videos, and photos for each model on its website to help drivers compare current and older models.
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