HYBRIDCAR

Midsize Hybrid Cars on the Market

By:  Lestari

Nissan Altima

Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Camry, Lexus GS 450h, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid  are 4 competing midsize hybrid electric vehicles on the market:

Honda Accord Hybrid. Even before the release of the Hybrid, the Honda Accord was the second best selling car in the country. But the Accord Hybrid did not live up to the title “best-seller”. After soaring success in 2005, car sales plummeted when its rival the Toyota Camry Hybrid hit the market. In 2007, the hybrid version of the Accord was discontinued.

However, buying an Accord Hybrid will give you a good 30mpg/37mpg fuel rating. Accord is run by a powerful 3.0 L engine that produces 240-hp and 232 lb.-ft at 5000 RPM of torque. The electric motor is 16-hp with 100 lb.-ft at 840 rpm of torque. The sticker price of the Honda Accord Hybrid is approx. $30,000. You cannot buy a brand new Accord Hybrid from Honda but that’s not the only place where you can buy a car, right?

Toyota Camry Hybrid. Camry is known for its comfort, safety, and dependability. And surely, these characteristics are carried out with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Powered by 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and 105-kW electric motor and 244-volt battery pack, the Camry can deliver a total of 192 horsepower. It promises to run 33mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway.

2009 Lexus GS 450h Hybrid

Lexus GS 450h. This hybrid has 24-valve, 3.5-liter gasoline engine that produces 297-hp. That’s just the half of it. The electric motor-generator produces 197 hp giving the driver of this car the power and sheer adrenaline rush. But don’t be fooled, the Lexus GS 450h may perform like a sports car but it definitely has the luxury features you want in a midsize car. And why not? At the price of $55,000, you surely have to set high expectations.

Nissan Altima Hybrid. It is powered by a large 2.5-liter engine that produces 198 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft at 2800 RPM of torque. The Altima is only available in selected states including Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and California. Fuel economy is impressive considering the size of the engine. It is rated at 35mpg/33mpg and priced at approx. $25,100.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

By:  Lestari

Toyota Camry Hybrid

There are many hybrid vehicles on the market today. Unfortunately due to the unique technology they don’t come cheap, developments and experiments with high powered engines made them more expensive. The perks provided by luxury cars come at a price. If being environmental friendly is this heavy on the wallet then why buy?

Hybrid vehicles may be an instant shock to the wallet but they are beneficial in the long run. Apart from SUVs and luxury vehicles there are also compact four doors that may provide an alternative for the average Joe. Following the success of the Camry, Toyota has decided to give the model a fresh new trim by turning it into a hybrid. Using Toyota’s latest hybrid technology, the Camry may provide to be an alternative to expensive hybrids.

Camry facelift

The original Camry didn’t give its owner many problems. It’s priced right, big and powerful enough for the average Joe. With soaring gas prices, more people are willing to support and pay for hybrid technology. This prompted Toyota to hybridize its Camry to give customers a break from expensive sedans and Sports Utility vehicle hybrids.

Like other hybrids today, the Camry is equipped with a gasoline engine and electric motor combo. It has a 192 horsepower and runs at 38 miles per gallon. It still has the same accessories as of the previous Camry like alloy wheels, daytime headlights, power heated mirrors, six CD changer on the dashboard, eight way power and eight stereo speakers. The CD changer is compatible with a mp3.

It’s still equipped with standard safety features such as airbags in the front, on the seat mounts for side impact, at the side curtain, and for the driver’s knee.

The hybrid Camry has a push button start system, Smart Entry keyless locking, power door locks, anti-lock out windows and the air-conditioning relies on the electric motor. It also has anti-lock breaking system and Toyota’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated System. The latter has traction and stability control with other electronic devices for vehicle control.

The Camry may not look as stylish as other luxury sedans and SUVs.