Photo Gallery: Gas-Sipping Hybrids For 2008

Introduction

July 2, 2008 By Ron Perry

2008 Lexus LS 600h L

Leave it to Lexus to lead the charge (no pun intended) in the luxury-hybrid segment. The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L sedan's fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

By Ron Perry
Photo Credit: Oliver Bentley

Page 2

2008 Lexus GS 450h

Call it trickle down if you like (again, no pun intended), but Lexus uses hybrid technology in its GS sedan also. You can bet with the price of fuel rising, it won’t be long before a hybrid version of each model is available. The GS 450h is rated at 22 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.

Photo Credit: Lexus

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2008 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid

There's a buzz in the air when it comes to hybrids, and Saturn isn't about to be left out. Starting at $24,550, the Aura Green Line Hybrid earns an EPA rating of 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

Photo Credit: Saturn

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2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Chevy scored big with the new 2008 Malibu and then one upped themselves by creating a hybrid version of their already acclaimed sedan. The Malibu Hybrid gets 24 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and a combined rating of 27 mpg.

Photo Credit: Ron Perry

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2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

With the Toyota Camry being one of the most popular cars in the states, there is no doubt the Camry Hybird continue to gain attention. The EPA estimates fuel economy ratings of 33 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 34 mpg combined.

Photo Credit: Toyota

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2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

With ratings of 35 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on they highway, the Nissan Altima Hybrid achieves an average of 34 mpg. As a midsize sedan with a starting price of $25,480, the Altima Hybrid is sure attract budget- and fuel-conscious shoppers.

Photo Credit: Nissan

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2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

With the Honda Civic outselling the Ford F-150 for the first time and gas rising to over $4.00 per gallon, there's no doubt the hybrid version of the Civic sedan was responsible for a large portion of those sales. The Honda Civic Hybrid's fuel economy numbers are 40 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 42 mpg combined.

Photo Credit: Honda

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2008 Toyota Prius

In a market where SUVs ruled the road, the first-generation 2001 Toyota Prius hybrid introduced to the U.S. was all but ignored by the car-buying public. Small in stature and with looks that fell short of praise, the Prius faltered until the second-generation model in 2004. Today, the four-door Prius dominates the hybrid market for Toyota, leaving other manufacturers to play catch-up. With ratings of 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined, it's easy to see why the Prius dominates the hybrid market.

Photo Credit: Toyota

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2009 Honda FCX Clarity

When the first Honda FCX Clarity left the production line on June 16th, 2008, the four-door Clarity officially entered the hybrid market. Honda announced the lucky first five owners as the first car rolled off the line, one of whom is actress Jamie Lee Curtis. The Clarity runs on hydrogen, not gasoline, so with filling stations being far and few between, it will take some time for the Honda Clarity to gain popularity.

Photo Credit: Honda