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»
How big is big enough when it comes to the three-row crossover SUV? When Honda redesigned the Pilot for the 2023 model year, it got bigger and roomier, opening up to one of the roomiest in the crossover SUV class. Toyota followed it with a larger version of the venerable Highlander dubbed the Grand...Read More»
Looking for the utility of a pickup truck but don’t want the size or fuel economy penalty of a full-size truck? The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz fit the bill. They both seat five and ride like compact crossovers, and their small beds and modest length mean they easily fit into garages...Read More»
Mitsubishi's flagship vehicle is now a beacon for safety. On Thursday, the IIHS bestowed a Top Safety Pick designation on the redesigned 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid. To qualify for either the Top Safety Pick or the Top Safety Pick+ designation, 2023 model year vehicles such as the...Read More»
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»
Hybrid vehicles and sedans are the most reliable cars, while electric vehicles and pickup trucks pose the most problems for new car owners, according to respondents of a Consumer Reports study announced Tuesday. In its annual consumer survey based on more than 300,000 vehicles from the 2000-2022...Read More»
The Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid intends to dethrone the Toyota RAV4 Prime from its perch as king of the hybrid hill. The redesigned compact crossover chases the perennial bestseller in this class in most categories except for style, space, and most importantly, price. Squared off against each...Read More»
The 2023 Kia Sportage now comes with a third powertrain option, and it can go 32 miles on battery electric power. The redesigned compact crossover can be fitted with a plug-in hybrid powertrain loaded with convenience and safety features, the brand announced Tuesday. The 2023 Sportage PHEV comes in...Read More»
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»
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV stands out, but not always for the right reasons. With a TCC Rating of 7.2 out of 10, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson bests the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue thanks to a roomy back seat, bold design, and smooth hybrid powertrain. But its real-world fuel economy...Read More»
The 2022 Ford Maverick small pickup truck made its first public appearance at the Chicago Auto Show last week. The Maverick appeared to confirm its bona fides as a small pickup truck, and not just a compact crossover with a bed or a puny pickup from the 1980s and ’90s. We won’t know how...Read More»
Pack it in, pack it out. This camper’s maxim can be embraced by Jeep when it comes to tailpipe emissions in the great outdoors. The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid allows for 22 miles of all-electric range and the equivalent of 49 mpg, more than double the next most efficient Wrangler...Read More»
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»
My week with the redesigned 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid was a mixed-use experience that might be familiar to many families. The three-row crossover SUV hauled my two kids and their gear to an array of practices and events, and it carried us away on a long weekend road trip. Several positives stood out...Read More»
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»
For a brand that’s almost 80 years old, change comes slowly. Jeep’s latest evolution also will come silently. On Thursday, the brand unveiled its 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUV, which is the first plug-in hybrid Jeep on sale in the U.S. The boxy off-roader will be the first of many, Jeep...Read More»
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»
