The consumer is king in the auto world, so it should be no surprise that the success of hybrids on showroom floors has given the technology a commanding lead in the race for title of 'Car of Tomorrow' or maybe even 'Car of Today.' We decided to take a look at a few of the many hybrid technologies currently competing for attention, and a bigger share of a shrunken market.
The Godfather vs. the Upstart
Most car companies are just now contemplating catching up to Toyota when it comes to making hybrids and other greener models. As Honda's newest hybrid was getting widely panned earlier this year, the Third Generation 2010 Prius was being unveiled to rave reviews. Toyota has now had several years to improve on customer complaints related to below-average power and handling, all while upping its eco-credibility with an EPA-rated 51 mpg city. The centerpiece of the Prius' success remains Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive featuring a separate electric motor assisted by a gasoline engine. Hybrid Camrys and the forthcoming Lexus ES 350 are also generating buzz for boosting efficiency among sedans and luxury models. Honda's system flips and simplifies the idea with a small “electric assist motor” integrated into a small conventional engine – the result has been disappointed reviewers and perhaps proof that there's no room for shortcuts when it comes to driving green.
Score one for the home team
One of the top reasons Ford hasn't been clobbered (well, not quite as badly) as the rest of the Big Three is its focus on hybrids, particularly theFusion, and the 2010 model sedan even surpassed the hybrid Camry in a 4-car comparison by Car and Driver. Ford loves to tout the fact that internal combustion can remain shutdown at speeds as high as 47 mph – (probably not if you're jamming your MP3 Bluetooth stereo while gawking at your full-screen GPS with the A/C cranked up full, though) and the 41 mpg EPA city rating certainly gives us pause considering the Fusion's interior space and 191 HP, but road tests have found an average closer to 35 mpg to be more realistic. Still, Ford seems to be leading the way in greener ways to transport the whole family.