The 50 mpg Toyota Prius brought hybrids into the mainstream -- and set high expectations for extreme efficiency. But not all gas-electric cars deliver impressive fuel economy. This is because automakers create hybrids with two very different goals:
Improving fuel economy by using an electric motor to boost a low-horsepower gas engine
Or
Improving performance by using an electric motor to boost a high-horsepower gas engine
Hybrids like the Prius fall into the first category. They won't thrill anyone with their acceleration, but they will sip gas at a much slower rate than conventional cars. This makes it easier to justify higher MSRPs than customers would pay for non-hybrids.
The second category is filled with hybrids from premium manufacturers. They also cost more than conventional alternatives -- but customers pay a hefty premium for better performance, not better gas mileage. In other words, many high-end hybrids don't deliver the one thing most people expect of a hybrid.
Here's what we mean:
Lexus LS 600h
With 438 horsepower on tap, the big Lexus screams to 60 mph in a scant 5.6 seconds. But don't expect any improvement at the fuel pump. An LS 600h that retails for $119,910 returns only 20 mpg combined. A $71,990 LS 460 with a conventional engine will get 19 mpg combined.
BMW ActiveHybrid 3
The $49,650 hybrid in BMW's 3 Series lineup supplements an inline six-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 335 horsepower. It's much faster to 60 mph than a conventional 320i -- priced from $32,550 -- but delivers worse highway economy: only 33 mpg compared to the 320i's 36 mpg.
Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid
The Cayenne lineup has something for almost everyone, including a $70,900 hybrid that scoots to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and returns 24 mpg highway. This might be more impressive if the $56,600 diesel Cayenne didn't earn an EPA rating of 29 mpg highway, while giving away only a second in the 0 to 60 mph dash.
The bottom line: A good case can be made for most hybrids -- but it isn't always good fuel economy.
Whether you're looking for hybrid economy or hybrid performance, you can always build and price your next car at CarsDirect.