Hybrid cars are those which combine electric and gas power to enable the vehicle to operate more efficiently than it might on gas power alone.
Ushered into the modern era of automobiles by the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, hybrid vehicles have appeared in many guises. In parallel hybrids, gas and electric are used simultaneously. Series hybrids use their battery electric power before switching to gas or other combustion sources.
Plug-in hybrids can operate in a variety of modes, but also offer the plug for drivers to recharge the battery, providing much better ability to drive on battery power alone for longer distances, before the gas engine is called into action. The Chevrolet Volt offers a good example of a series hybrid that engaged some infrequent parallel-hybrid modes in the name of efficiency—and also offered drivers the ability to plug in and recharge its batteries for 50 miles or more of all-electric driving.
Diesel hybrids also exist in some markets outside of the U.S.
The typical setup pairs a moderately sized battery pack with an electric motor, which contributes power to the gas drivetrain at intervals or during scenarios determined by engineers for optimal fuel economy. Some hybrids can decouple their gas powertrain entirely to reduce friction and increase efficiency—and some offer more motors to distribute power differently. Many Toyota hybrids, for example, use an electric motor with the gas drivetrain, and a second motor dedicated to supply power to the rear wheels, to create an all-wheel-drive system known as “through the road.”
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The 2025 Honda CR-V and 2025 Mazda CX-50 are two strong attempts to unseat the bestselling Toyota RAV4, in what’s become the most popular vehicle segment in America. Among these so-called compact crossovers—close to what we considered midsize not long ago—the Honda CR-V remains...Read More»
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The redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius debuted on Wednesday on the eve of the Los Angeles auto show, and the hybrid hatchback might be a showstopper. With a larger engine, improved fuel economy, and uncharacteristic style, the fifth-generation Prius breathes new life into a fading star. The only thing...Read More»
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The 2021 Toyota Avalon Hybrid enters its last year with sound fundamentals but an inability to stand out. The full-size sedan joins so many other sedans discontinued after 2022. Like the wily veteran cut from your favorite ballclub, the Avalon is appreciated but no longer essential. About three...Read More»
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The 2022 Ford Maverick touches down as a small pickup truck powered by a standard hybrid engine with an estimated 40 mpg around town, Ford announced Wednesday. Just like "Top Gun: Maverick" returns to the big screen later this year, the 2022 Ford Maverick dusts off its forgettable past as a compact...Read More»
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The Venza nameplate returned to the Toyota showroom as a sleek two-row crossover SUV with a hybrid powertrain that looks and feels as much like a Lexus as it does a Toyota. The 2021 Toyota Venza would fit in a Lexus showroom if the Japanese automaker’s luxury division hadn’t gotten ugly...Read More»
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The 2021 Toyota Venza is reborn as a hybrid crossover. With six Lexus or Toyota hybrids to choose from, we pitted the new Venza’s luxury-leaning interior against the 2020 Lexus RX450h to see how premium trims have narrowed the gap on premium brands. Is the Venza better for the money? Is the...Read More»
Toyota's venerable small car can always learn a few new tricks. When it arrives in dealers later this year, the 2021 Toyota Corolla will offer standard Android Auto and satellite radio compatibility, as well as more standard and available safety equipment, Toyota spokesman Zach Reed confirmed. Reed...Read More»