Steep gas prices have led many drivers away from pumping stations. With the volatile price changes, car owners prefer to have the constancy of hybrid cars. With hybrid cars, families are less exposed to changing gas prices that can drastically change their budget over time. In addition, suburban families that highly depend on cars prefer inexpensive driving as a critical element in balancing their finances. The reality is, no one wants to spend money on oil when it could have been spent for better things. Add in the tax cuts and perks, and you will find that buying a hybrid car makes more economic sense.
Aside from purely economic reasons, there are certain hybrid car facts that motivate new car buyers to opt for hybrid cars instead. For example, car consumers believe that buying a hybrid car is the “right thing to do” if the Americans want to be less dependent on foreign oil. Parents with these strong convictions can teach their children how to make a statement by being economical. By buying a hybrid car, families understand that they are joining a new trend in car technology that will improve their quality of life down the line.
Here are some of the best hybrid cars for families. The list includes different sized vehicles and a wide range of fuel efficiency ratings.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is the most efficient hybrid car for families, boasting 48 miles per gallon fuel economy. The Toyota Prius is not only popular in the United States but all over the world, selling more than a million units since its first release in 1997.
The Prius has a larger trunk space than other hybrid cars in its class, besting even the impressive Toyota Camry hybrid. The car itself is more spacious - you can fold down the back seats to free up space for larger items. The roomy interior in the back seat is perfect for families who have small children. If you need to separate the kids, a fold-down armrest is available.
The Toyota Prius is also one of the safest hybrid cars today. Its safety features include improved dynamic traction and stability, pretensioners, and advanced air bags and seatbelts. The unique and sleek design rivals other top hybrid cars in the market, and for less than $25,000, it is the most cost efficient car today.
Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid is a perfect car for smaller families. Compared to the hatchback design of Toyota Prius, this hybrid car offers a sedan look in a compact package. Although Civic Hybrid pales against the Prius in fuel efficiency, its 40 miles per gallon rating for city driving and 45 miles per gallon for highway driving is impressive nonetheless. Like most hybrid cars, the Civic Hybrid has slow acceleration; Honda made up for it with excellent handling.
Many prefer the design of the Honda Civic Hybrid over the design of the Prius. The compact design is enhanced with interior accommodations and excellent “driving feel.” The Civic Hybrid is also a great family hybrid car because of its strong resale value, high safety ratings, and excellent reliability record.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is one of the popular hybrid cars for families and is the benchmark of midsize hybrid sedans. The Camry has the roomiest and most comfortable interior for a hybrid sedan which allows passengers to experience a luxurious family ride. The smooth performance of this hybrid car affords families a refined ride with enough legroom for your family’s needs.
Like the Prius, the Toyota Camry has a slow acceleration and can be sluggish on the road. The fuel economy estimates are 33 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.
The only compromise that you have to make with the Camry is its smaller trunk. The trunk of the hybrid version is one-third smaller compared to the non-hybrid version. If you need a no-frills car with some bulk, then this hybrid car is for you.
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Many car reviewers call the Nissan Altima Hybrid the sportiest midsize hybrid car today, defeating the Toyota Camry Hybrid in terms of driving experience. The Altima’s hybrid uses Toyota’s hybrid technology via a licensing agreement, but Nissan enhanced Toyota’s 40 horsepower electric motor with its own 158 horsepower and 2.5 liter, four-cylinder gas engine. As a result, the Altima has stronger acceleration, and better handling with a more polished chassis. Unlike the Camry, the Altima provides a bustling, but less refined driving experience.
The Nissan Altima is a hybrid car that packs an exciting driving feel. With a fuel efficiency rating of 35 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway, the Altima is a perfect family car if you want a sporty driving experience that will not shortchange you on fuel cost.
Honda Insight
The latest release of the Honda Insight is a five-door hatchback model that resembles the design of the Toyota Prius. This model has a much lower base price compared to other top hybrid cars and sedan. For less than $20,000, the Honda Insight hopes to push down the price of hybrid cars and make them even more competitive compared to non-hybrid models.
The Honda Insight compares favorably to the Toyota Prius, as it has better handling and similar fuel efficiency for a lower price. However, the base version of this model lacks key features like electronic stability and cruise control. Some car owners will like the driving feel of the Honda Insight because it runs more like a conventional non-hybrid car. On the other hand, hybrid purists will prefer the silent engine of other hybrid cars.
The Honda Insight’s fuel efficiency rating is 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 miles per gallon on the highway.
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