The American made hybrid is relatively new but the genre is on its way to becoming the wave of the future. Ford has two entries on the list as does Saturn. Chevy has the cheapest hybrid, the Chevy Malibu along with Saturn which has the Hybrid Saturn Aura. Both cars price at around $26,000.
The list takes into account mileage and price as well as appearance and driving performance. The things to consider when buying a hybrid is the extra care you must take with the batteries and recharging the car. Some fast food restaruants like McDonalds are alotting recharging stations as well as Fresh and Easy to name a few.
1) 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Fusion sells for around $28,000 and gets about 36 miles per gallon on the highway and 41 miles per gallon. The two Fords actually get better gas mileage in the city which is a true mark of a hybrid. Car and Driver’s Mark Gillies writes in his article on the 2010 Ford Fusion, “The first thing you need to know about the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is that it’s the best mid-size hybrid sedan on the market. Yes, that’s right: it wipes the floor with the Toyota Camry hybrid.”
The Fusion Hybrid runs on a 2.5 liter four cylinder engine that displaces 156 horsepower. Accelerating from 0-60 in over 8.5 seconds isn’t going to win you any trophys at the local dragstrip but can get you on the freeway safely. The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a nice looking car with mooth lines and while it won’t get you any whistles it does look sharp.
2) 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid
The Mercury Milan Hybrid sells for an average of $28,000 and maintains 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Not only is the Milan striking to look at it is also the one hybrid that remains electric until it reaches 47 miles per hour. The Milan is available in a 2.5 liter four cylinder and a 3.0 liter six cylinder.
The Milan Hybrid also features the SYNC communication system along with a new voice activated navigation system and can also come with Sirius satelite radio. The Milan could easily unseat the Prius and the Honda Accord this upcoming year in sales. See a full reveiw of the Milan by Car and Driver magazine here.
3) 2010 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
The Chevy Malibu Hybrid sells for $26,000 and gets 34 miles per gallon on the highway and 26 miles per gallon in the city. The Malibu is a 2.4 liter four cylinder engine that gets 157 horsepower. Unfortunately the Malibu hybrid is being taken out of production. While most car makers that know how to make a hybrid and make money on it. GM was not making money on the hybrid Malibu and has decided to discontinue it as of this writing. See the New York Times story here. Is there a reason why GM had to be bailed out and Ford did not?
GM will try to launch themselves back into the hybrid market again with the Chevy Volt hybrid to be released in late 2010. The Volt as become one of the most anticipated vehicles in recent memory. The challenge will be for Chevy to market it properly this time.
Time will tell if the Chevy Volt hybrid will get Chevy and GM back into the good graces of the American public or it will bury the vulnerable manufacturer. Meanwhile Ford has a big head start on them.
