Green-off: Hybrid models put to the test

"I want a hybrid."

I've heard that from more than one reader, and I have come to realize that most people don't really know a thing about hybrids. Not all hybrids are created equal and not every hybrid will fit into every garage the same.

First, let's define "hybrid." These are cars that run on gas and electric drivetrains. Some carmakers don't like the idea of hybrids because they have to create two powertrains for a single vehicle. Consumers, however, don't seem to mind.

These cars are not the final answer in mankind's quest for high-mileage, environmentally friendly machines, but they are part of the solution. A hundred years from now, when all of the vehicles are fueled by carbon neutral dilithium crystals and historians look back to trace the powertrain's lineage, hybrids will be a distant relative; the cars and trucks that started the world down a different road.

There are a dozen gas-electric hybrid cars sold in the United States, but that number will continue to grow in the coming years. They range in size, price and drivability. The $100,000 Lexus 600h was not included in this showdown. Neither was the Lexus GS 450h, a 340-horsepower thrill machine that manages 22 miles per gallon in city driving. Both vehicles miss the general idea of economical driving. The Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid also was not included for the same reasons.

Finally, there is also a group of vehicles known as mild hybrids not in this showdown. They use engine shut-off systems but do not use electric motors to help propel them. Calling them a hybrid is insulting to consumers and the equivalent to buying a refrigerator magnet that says hybrid and putting it on your Hummer.

So what's the best of the best when it comes to a hybrid car? Depends on the driver.

Of the eight in our comparison, three models, the 2010 Toyota Prius, the 2010 Honda Insight and the 2010 Lexus are hybrid-only models, meaning there are no gas-only versions of these cars. The remainder come in hybrid versions of regular models: 2010 Ford Fusion, 2010 Honda Civic, 2009 Nissan Altima (which is only sold in the nine most pretentious states in the U.S.), 2010 Toyota Camry and the 2010 Mercury Milan.

Daily performance

Gas mileage is not the only thing to measure when weighing a car's performance, and never, I mean never, take hybrid owners' mileage figures too seriously. Yes, it is possible to get 90 miles per gallon in a Prius, but you can also get 100 mpg in a semi truck if the 100 miles are downhill. Exuberant hybrid owners' mileage figures tend to fudge to the high side. For people not posting to CleanMPG.com, I have found EPA estimates to be pretty accurate. During a recent weeklong test of the Mercury Milan hybrid, I averaged 39 mpg, dead on with the EPA's combined mileage numbers.

Performance-wise, the least expensive hybrid, the Honda Insight, has the sportiest ride. It turns on a dime and feels most connected to the road. The Ford Fusion was a very close second, with only its size cutting into its agility. The Fusion and the Altima certainly felt the most "normal," which may deter some hybrid buyers and encourage others. The Toyota Camry's ride and handling are too spongy, with too much body roll through corners, whereas the other two Toyota Motor Corp. entries, the Prius and HS 250h, provided much better rides.

The new Prius holds to the road much better than its previous two generations did. The HS 250h feels stable, and when running under electric-only power, is insanely silent.

Winner: Honda Insight

Best exterior

A car's exterior was made for the rest of the world to see. So if you need strangers to know you're driving a hybrid, get the Prius or Insight. It's a design that takes the most advantage of aerodynamics and has become synonymous with the word hybrid.

But they both have the profiles of a door stop and looked like they were carved out of cheese. Iconic does not mean pretty; Robert Zimmerman may be iconic, but even if you rename him Bob Dylan, he's still just as homely.

The downside to many of the other hybrids is they have gasoline-only counterparts, so they may not provide the eco-credibility some crave. Most have green jewelry sprinkled across their sheet metal but it's hardly noticeable, so strangers will need you to tell them you own a hybrid, and, trust me, you will. The Fusion looks sporty, the Civic looks smart and the Milan looks like the Fusion. The Camry hybrid is just as boring as the regular Camry. The HS 250h is more nondescript than attractive, leaving only the Nissan Altima as the most beautiful in the bunch. It impresses with its aggressive front end, slung-back headlights and crisp lines across its body.

Default winner: Nissan Altima

Best interior

Some cars can't be judged by their cover: The Altima proves that part with a less-than-spectacular cabin that feels cheap.

The Fusion and Milan have upped the ante for many carmakers with well-crafted interiors and quality materials. The SmartGauge creates a beautiful instrument panel that displays a virtual vine, which grows the better you drive. My favorite feature is the trip summary. It will tell you your fuel economy, the distance traveled and the amount of fuel used. It reminds you every time you turn the key that you've helped save the world.

The Prius also has upgraded its interior for 2010, losing its spaceship feel and adopting a more car-friendly interior. Materials and fit and finish have been improved, and the Prius offers enough technology to choke someone at NASA. Its hatchback configuration also makes the Prius feel very roomy and comfortable for five people. The compact Honda, which is significantly smaller than the Prius, shies away from Neiman Marcus and more toward Wal-Mart. In fairness to Honda, the car starts right at $20,000 and undercuts all of the hybrid competition. A lower price comes with sacrifices and plastic.

Winner: Ford Fusion

Best car

As more carmakers enter the fray and introduce the next greatest hybrid, there will be something for everyone. Even now, all of these hybrids are fine choices that will provide good, economical rides. But showdowns don't work if everyone wins.

The Ford Fusion, with its high mileage, top-notch interior and spacious cabin, is the best car in the group. It may get you more than 40 mpg and ride around over 40 mph in electric-only mode, but you will quickly forget you're in a hybrid. And that's when you know a hybrid has made it -- when the results are more important than the badge.

But America has not gotten to that point yet and hybrids remain a niche status vehicle, edging into the mainstream. Hitting a combined 50 mpg, the Toyota Prius still rules. Add to that a spacious interior, unique technologies and iconic look, the Prius remains the hybrid to beat. It feels and sounds and runs like the future.

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