If you are a car enthusiast, you may have noticed cars that have a “hybrid” sign either in the back or on the side. So, what exactly are hybrid cars? Hybrid vehicles use more than one means of propulsion. They combine a gas or diesel engine with an electric motor. The main benefit of hybrid cars is that they consume less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide than conventional gas or diesel-engine cars.
Hybrid cars consist of a conventional engine, an electric motor, and a battery. There are three types of hybrids: parallel hybrids, range extender hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Parallel hybrid cars can be powered in three ways, including by the electric motor, by the engine, or by both power sources together.
Range extender hybrids use the conventional engine to produce electricity for a generator that recharges the batteries. Plug-in hybrids can be plugged in to an electric outlet to recharge the batteries.
There are different brands of hybrid cars available in the market. Hybrid vehicles have excellent fuel efficiency, which reduces the amount of carbon emissions released into the environment. Hybrids also have a good resale value since they are less affected by gasoline prices. In addition, they capture the energy used during braking and recharge the battery. Here are five of the highest overall rated hybrids.
2019 Ford Fusion Energi
The 2019 Ford Fusion Energi has an attractive shape, low center of gravity, and some new safety technology. It has a passenger capacity of five and also comes with a sunroof. The interior has heated front seats, and some models have a heated steering wheel, inflatable rear belts, and adaptive cruise control. The exterior has some exciting features such as fog lights, rear spoiler, privacy glass, and alloy wheels.
In terms of performance, the Ford Fusion is an excellent gas saver. It has a combined fuel economy of 42 mpg for gas and 103 MPGe for electric. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid that puts out a total of 188 horsepower. It has an estimated electric range of 26 miles. The standard Ford Fusion comes with an automatic transmission with front-wheel drive and a hill start assist.
The 2019 Ford Fusion is loaded with state-of-the-art technology and exciting features. They include a navigation system, remote keyless entry, proximity sensors, and remote engine start. Infotainment features include an 8-inch touch screen monitor, satellite radio, USB port, smartphone interface, and voice recognition system.
This hybrid offers the best of both worlds with its decent styling, comfort, and good gas mileage.
2019 Chevrolet Volt
The 2019 Chevrolet Volt is an excellent plug-in hybrid car that can travel long distances. It can cruise up to 53 miles on electric power before converting to a gasoline engine. It comes with a clean and stylish design and optional cloth seat patterns. The rear seats can be folded to create more space, and the interior has ambient lighting. The Chevrolet Volt offers comfort and convenience with a standard heated steering wheel, integrated garage door opener, and a power driver’s seat.
The Volt is fitted with cool technological features to improve your comfort and convenience. They include Bluetooth wireless technology, internet access, remote keyless entry, push-button engine start, and a smartphone interface. Its infotainment features include a touch screen monitor, satellite radio, and a voice recognition system.
The Volt has a maximum seating capacity of five people and a trunk space of 10.6 cubic feet. Safety technology includes driver and rear-side air bags, child door locks, blind-spot alert, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera.
In terms of fuel economy, the Chevrolet Volt has a combined gas fuel economy of 42 mpg and 106 MPGe for electric. It comes with a standard 1.5-liter gasoline engine that puts out an impressive 101 horsepower and also has a pair of electric motors. It has a gas engine that provides electricity to an 18.4-kWh battery that powers the motors.
The combined system produces a whopping 149 horsepower that enables the Volt to reach up to 53 miles on electric power and an extended 367 miles on gas to total up to 420 miles.
The 2019 Chevrolet Volt is a fun, quick, and quiet hybrid that has a low cost of ownership.
2019 Toyota Prius Prime
When it comes to hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius is arguably the most notable and popular car. It is fuel-efficient and comes with cutting-edge technology in the cabin and the engine. One of the significant changes in the Prius Prime is that it can be driven solely on electric energy for 25 miles.
Both the gasoline engine and electric power can combine to reach as far as 600 miles. The exterior has a wedge shape that gives the vehicle its signature appearance.
The Prius Prime is equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces about 95 horsepower. It also has two electric motors that produce 76 kW and combine with the gas engine to put out 121 horsepower. In terms of fuel economy, the Prius Prime has a combined 54 mpg for gas and 133 MPGe for electric. It comes with automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, and hill start assist.
The interior of the Prius Prime is modern with cloth and heated seats. The rear seats can be folded to create more space for the 19.8-cubic-foot trunk. Technology features include Bluetooth wireless technology, audible text messaging, remote keyless entry, internet access, a navigation system, and proximity-sensing keyless entry.
Infotainment features include a massive 11.6-inch touch screen display, iPod connector, and premium and satellite radio.
The 2019 Toyota Prius Prime is a big gas saver that offers a smooth and quiet ride.
Toyota Avalon Hybrid
The Toyota Avalon hybrid offers more space with powerful engines and more modern styling. It has improved handling and steering feedback with a less noisy cabin.
It comes with a continuously variable transmission. The Avalon hybrid has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine connected to two electric motor-generators that combine to produce 215 horsepower.
The interior has an elegant design and offers room for five adults. It has dual power front seats with a power driver’s seat, and the rear seats can be folded to create more space. It also has a telescoping steering wheel that is wrapped in leather. The Avalon has a spacious 16.0 cubic feet of trunk space.
The Avalon hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 43 mpg for gas and electric. Technological features include a voice recognition system, smartphone interface, navigation system, and remote keyless entry. Infotainment features include iPod connector, Bluetooth streaming audio, and premium and satellite radio.
The Toyota Avalon hybrid is economical, safe, and quiet and offers a beautiful and enjoyable ride.
2019 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid
The Acura RLX Sport hybrid has a well-engineered drivetrain that delivers impressive fuel efficiency and performance. The base model has a 3.5-liter V-6 engine under its hood that produces 310 horsepower. An electric motor is paired with two other motors that drive each rear wheel. The system combines to produce about 377 horsepower. The Acura has a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg.
It has a spacious interior with dual power front seats and a power driver’s seat. The interior has ambient lighting and a heated steering wheel. The 2019 Acura RLX Sport hybrid delivers comfort and convenience with a remote control liftgate and an integrated garage door opener. Technological features include Bluetooth wireless technology, a navigation system, remote keyless entry, smartphone interface, and a remote engine start.
The Acura RLX is a sporty hybrid that combines power and fuel efficiency into a stylish ride.
Hybrids are becoming more common with many people opting for them due to their fuel efficiency. Toyota has led the market in the production of hybrid cars, but other big manufacturers are stepping up to offer competition. The above models are some of the highest-rated hybrid vehicles, and they promise to deliver value for your money.
