The Whole Story on SUV Hybrids
Some think that it is quite surprising that the first hybrid was actually a car. Since SUVs have a reputation for being gas guzzlers and those who drive them have no respect for the environment, you would think that the Toyota Highlander would have come out long before it did. If the creators would have thought even further into the future we would have had the first hybrid minivans rather that Japan being the first.
There are several hybrid SUVs available on the market today and even more making their way to the spot light. The Saturn VUE was released in 2007 and Mazada came out with their Tribute in 2006. There are many people who have been waiting quite patiently for an affordable hybrid SUV to hit the market. If you are one of those who have been awaiting the day patiently, your time has come.
Affordable SUV hybrids are sweeping the market and more and more manufactures are making sure that everyone can have a hybrid. There are at least four hybrid SUVs on the market that are $35,000 or less because of the technology combined with the makers’ cutting a little off their prices. Unless you really want that Lexus RX 400H; you are sure to find a great hybrid for a decent price.
The 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid that was released in June of 2005 was considered to be well worth the wait. It completely surpasses its earlier models with a 208 horse power gas motor in addition to its electric components that rev up the engine to 268 horse power. The 2006 Toyota Highlander hybrid also gets great gas mileage at 28 mpg and has many extra features.
Toyota has other hybrids as well, such as the Prius which is a small sedan. However, the Highlander is an SUV hybrid that drives and feels like a regular SUV. However, if you are looking at the Highlander from the outside you would notice that there are some differences like the LED lights. If you are looking into purchasing a Highlander, you can purchase the hybrid for just a bit more than a regular one.
Now Toyota has decided that they will share some of their technology with Ford to help with the Escape. Ford seems to claim the first and of course the most expensive American Hybrid SUV. Though the Ford Escape may do well on mpg, it has fewer features than the Lexus and the Toyota. Conceivably, the persistent influence of Ford as a company which supports gas-guzzling left the sale of their SUV hybrid straggling behind the Highlander and Lexus, but requests has made up for some of that.
Although Ford has taken some time to wash away its image, the fact that it is going hybrid, is inspiring to buyers who only want to buy American. Besides waiting lists of up to a year and low production numbers for some makers, buying a hybrid SUV is becoming the next step in SUV purchases for more and more people. No matter how one looks at the numbers, these hybrid SUVs are getting better mileage than their gas only cousins. With more makers experimenting with and improving the hybrid technology, a hybrid in the low to mid $20,000 range might happen soon.
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