MSRP: $110,000

Estimated MPG: 20 city / 22 highway

Class: Full-size sedan

The Lexus LS 600h L proves without a doubt that there is a market for hybrids priced above the $100,000 mark.  This ultra-luxury sedan not only swaddles driver and occupants in one of the most comfortable and opulent passenger cabins ever conceived, but it also delivers reasonable fuel economy and much lower emissions than other comparably-sized cars.

To be sure, the gasoline / electric hybrid system installed in the Lexus LS 600h L is tilted more towards the performance side of the equation rather than focusing on strict fuel economy.  An electric motor is teamed up with a 5.0 liter V8 engine in order to produce a total of 438 horsepower, thanks in part to variable-valve timing and direct port fuel injection.  A continuously-variable automatic transmission (one which features intriguing special modes to help drivers cope with such things as snowy roads) and all-wheel drive help to make the LS one of the smoothest hybrid rides out there.  Fuel mileage is rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway – interestingly, almost identical to the Silverado pickup – but those aren’t the only figures that should impress connoisseurs of top-end sedans.  The LS 600h L launches to 60 miles per hour in a rocket-like 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 130 miles per hour, enabling it to keep pace with almost every other vehicle in its class.

For the 2010 model year, the LS 600h L received a styling upgrade as well as new options packages.  The new edition continues along the same themes.  It is hard to overstate the amenities provided by the Lexus in terms of features and technologies.  Four zones of individual climate control, reclining rear seats, DVD entertainment screens and even a fridge are on hand to keep passengers happy, while voice-activated navigation helps to make sure that the vehicle always stays on the right track.  The LS is also one of the safest hybrids ever built, thanks to a pre-collision detection system that primes all of the sedan’s airbags and seatbelts in order to mitigate the effects of an imminent impact.  With far too many options to list, the 600h L is one of the most advanced vehicles ever to have been built, hybrid or not.

MSRP: $28,240

Estimated MPG: 41 city / 36 highway

Class: Mid-size sedan

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is one of the smoothest-driving, most comfortable gasoline / electric vehicles on the road.  Even when driven in real-world situations, this sedan turns in phenomenal fuel mileage.  Benefiting from the complete redesign of the standard Fusion platform, the Hybrid model ranks as one of the most popular and efficient sedans in its class.

The Fusion Hybrid is a startling achievement from Michigan-based automaker Ford, managing to top all other electric-powered sedans currently on the market in terms of overall fuel economy.  Rated at 41 miles per gallon in city driving and 36 miles per gallon on the highway, it consumes significantly less gasoline than comparable-sized competitors like the Toyota Camry Hybrid.  The secret to the Fusion’s success is a 2.5 liter Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder engine that uses advanced engine and valve management technologies that merge perfectly with an electric motor.  Combined, the two output 191 horsepower, but perhaps even more impressive is the fact that the electric power plant can serve as the sole motivating force behind the Fusion at speeds of up to 47 miles per hour.  An electronically-controlled, continuously-variable automatic transmission is standard equipment on the Fusion Hybrid, as it is for most hybrid vehicles.

Like the Insight – although not quite as involved – the Fusion Hybrid provides a special gauge cluster incorporating something Ford calls EcoGuide, which is a unique data display that can provide many different levels of information about both the hybrid’s systems, as well as driver habits and the effect they have on efficiency.  In fact, the “greener” a driver performs, the more leaves grow to the far right of the display – a form of instantaneous feedback that will also cause them to fade should more fuel be used than necessary.  The Fusion Hybrid is loaded up with features compared to other editions of the sedan, with dual automatic climate controls, leather trim, backup sensors and the Microsoft SYNC entertainment system all provided free of charge.  A la carte options include a moonroof and a navigation system, adding an extra layer of luxury to the already plush Fusion Hybrid.

MSRP: $28,345

Estimated MPG: 41 city / 36 highway

Class: Mid-size sedan

The Mercury Milan Hybrid is at its heart a mechanical clone of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, using the same platform and drivetrain as its celebrated family member.  The Milan Hybrid’s excellent fuel economy numbers are buttressed by exterior and interior styling that goes in a different direction than that of the Fusion, making it appealing to a different class of buyers.

The Mercury Milan Hybrid’s 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine and matching electric motor provide the same 191 horsepower surge as the Fusion, and it also benefits from a well-designed continuously-variable automatic transmission.  Its 41 miles per gallon of around town fuel mileage is possible in part due to the hybrid system’s ability to benefit from regenerative braking, which captures 94 percent of the energy generated by the friction of the brake pads pressing against the discs.  This is then converted into electricity and fed directly into the battery, effectively charging it without the use of the gasoline engine.  The system is unobtrusive in terms of how it affects the vehicle’s driving experience, as is the switchover from gasoline to electric power when the vehicle is coasting or stopped.

In addition to the same SmartGauge EcoGuide package shared with the Fusion Hybrid, the Milan Hybrid’s look skews more towards refined than edgy, which helps it to score well with buyers looking for a casual daily driver.  This is combined with serious leg room both front and rear, although the trunk shrinks to 11.8 cubic feet from the 16.8 of the standard Milan, due to the placement of the nickel-metal hydride battery pack.  Electronic stability control, solid braking and 17-inch aluminum wheels help the Milan feel relatively nimble for a vehicle of its size, even during inclement weather.  The sedan’s price starts a little higher than that of the Fusion, but it does manage to include a correspondingly greater amount of standard equipment in order to make up for the differential.

MSRP: $26,780

Estimated MPG: 33 city / 33 highway

Class: Mid-size sedan

The Altima Hybrid represents the latest version of the very first electric vehicle to bear the Nissan brand.  Thanks to a technological partnership with Toyota, Nissan has been able to bless their sporty mid-size sedan with a green-friendly drivetrain that goes a long way towards reducing the amount of fuel consumed by the vehicle. Nissan plans to eventually introduce its own proprietary hybrid technology within a short period of time.

The Nissan Altima Hybrid licenses the same Hybrid Synergy Drive that is used by Toyota in the Prius and the Camry.  In Nissan’s application, the vehicle’s 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine is tuned to provide 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.  An electric motor kicks in an additional 40 horsepower, for a grand total of 198 ponies.  The Xtronic continuously-variable electronic transmission sends all of this power to the front wheels, and the Altima Hybrid’s fuel economy is a decent but not spectacular 33 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway.  Speed-sensitive electric power steering and electric air conditioning help to reduce some of the load on the gasoline engine and contribute to thriftier driving.  The Altima Hybrid provides a more engaging ride than some other gasoline / electric vehicles, managing to retain a significant portion of the driving experience that the Altima has become known for, especially during cornering.

Unlike some companies who choose to outfit their hybrid models with heavy amounts of comfort gear and gadgets, the Nissan Altima is a mixed bag when it comes to features and equipment.  The vehicle starts off with cloth seats, dual climate controls, a push button start and of course the now mandatory gauges that track battery charge and energy flow between the engine and the electric motor.  The roomy Altima can be upgraded with niceties such as leather hides for the seats, as well as almost every single option available to other versions of the sedan, which can quickly load the car down with gadgets and gizmos.  The automobile also benefits from a 2010 exterior restyling effort as well as a refresh of the sedan’s interior that took place at the same time.

MSRP: $34,200

Estimated MPG: 35 city / 34 highway

Class: Compact sedan

The Lexus HS 250h is a unique entry into the hybrid market from the Japanese luxury car company which has already fronted several other larger gasoline / electric vehicles.  The HS 250h is the very first compact luxury hybrid, with no competitors visible on the horizon. Lexus’ decision to target this heretofore unexplored segment of the car-buying public is an interesting departure for the premium brand.

The HS 250h is powered by a 147 horsepower, 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine that also provides 138 lb-ft of torque.  This unit cannot be found in any of the company’s other hybrids, and it combines with not one, but two electric generators to provide a total system power of 187 horses.  Variable-valve timing and an Atkinson combustion cycle help the somewhat portly (3,682 lbs) vehicle achieve fuel mileage of 35 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway – or quite simply, 35 miles per gallon in combined driving.  A continuously-variable automatic transmission, regenerative braking and a number of different operational modes help to make the Lexus a pleasure to drive.  The vehicle’s computer controls can be set to emphasis economy, performance or even force the vehicle to run for limited distances exclusively on electric power.  This latter feature is particularly stealthy, as the HS 250h produces almost no sound with the gasoline engine shut down.

Although it doesn’t offer the sportiest feel behind the wheel, (0 to 60 miles per hour takes place in 8.4 seconds), the Lexus HS 250h is certainly a comfortable cruiser, eating up the miles with ease.  Driver and passengers benefit from a raft of features that are typically associated with Lexus’ other vehicles:  Lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and a navigation system are all available.  The vehicle even makes use of some more exotic materials in its construction, such as seat materials derived from plant matter that form almost a third of the vehicle’s interior trim and trappings.  The vehicle’s trunk is also much larger than it would first suggest, able to deal with real-world cargo concerns that some other small hybrids would have trouble accommodating.

MSRP: $26,575

Estimated MPG: 33 city / 34 highway

Class: Mid-size sedan

The Toyota Camry is the best-selling sedan in North America, and the Hybrid version offers buyers many of the same characteristics that have made the standard Camry so popular.  When compared against other hybrids, however, Toyota’s mid-size offering isn’t quite as impressive in the fuel economy department, which can make difficult for shoppers to swallow paying a premium price for the vehicle.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid does provide a 10 mile per gallon improvement over the base 4-cylinder sedan around town, but on the highway the two editions of the same vehicle are separated by merely 1 mile per gallon – despite an almost $7,000 price chasm.  That’s not to say that the Hybrids fuel efficiency rating of 33 miles per gallon around town and 34 miles per gallon on the highway aren’t good, it just means that the Camry doesn’t blow its gasoline competitors out of the water like some other hybrids in its class.

Between the Camry Hybrid’s front fenders sits a 4-cylinder engine that squeezes 147 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque from 2.4 liters of displacement.  The vehicle can also draw from the 45 horsepower produced by its electric motor, either in the form of an assist to the gasoline power plant or as the sole method of propulsion for the front-wheel drive sedan.  A continuously-variable automatic transmission does a good job of managing power, enabling useful rates of acceleration and comfortable stop and go driving.  The electrical system, which operates independently of the shut-down gas motor when stopped, is capable of powering the air conditioning and power steering, so that neither are forced to pause while the vehicle is at rest.

The vehicle’s interior is as accommodating as that of a higher-range 4-cylinder Camry, including automatic climate controls, a 6-CD changer and the option of a moonroof and heated front seats.  The Hybrid also of course features Toyota’s Eco Assist which allows drivers to keep a watchful eye on both the effect that their driving style is having on fuel economy along with the hybrid’s total system status.

MSRP: $29,935

Estimated MPG: 34 city / 31 highway

Class: Compact SUV

The Ford Escape Hybrid is advertised as the most frugal sport-utility vehicle in America when it comes to fuel consumption.  This is largely due to a concentrated effort from Ford to save weight and improve the capabilities of the SUV’s outstanding gasoline / electric powertrain, allowing them to claim dominance in an area of the market where few other automakers have tread.

The Escape Hybrid combines two electric motors generating 94 horsepower with a 2.5 liter, 153 horsepower gasoline engine that form a system with a total output of 177 ponies.  Buyers who opt for all-wheel drive will see a third electric motor installed in their vehicle which is designed to step in and offer extra grunt for the rear wheels should traction conditions demand their intervention.  A continuously-variable transmission handles the gear shifting duties, and thanks to excellent system management the Escape Hybrid is about as fast as a regular version of the same truck.  The Hybrid’s fuel mileage is rated at 34 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway for front-wheel drive models, with all-wheel drive lopping off 4 miles per gallon from each measure.

The newest model has seen a number of upgrades over previous years, both in terms of cosmetics and features.  Technological options such as a rearview camera and a special system that allows for increased parental control over vehicle speeds will grab the attention of most buyers, but the vehicle’s automatic parallel-parking feature is also impressive in terms of how it handles a task a fair number of drivers find challenging at best.  All versions of the Escape Hybrid come nicely equipped with automatic climate controls, cruise control and power windows, door locks and mirrors.  The Hybrid Limited trim boasts a sunroof, heated leather seats and upgraded interior accents, while navigation is available as an option across the entire line.  The vehicle’s cargo area is barely smaller than the conventionally-powered Escape, with 66 cubic feet of total storage space available once the rear seats are out of the picture.

MSRP: $30,115

Estimated MPG: 34 city / 30 highway

Class: Compact SUV

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is in many ways a re-skinned version of the successful Ford Escape Hybrid.  Both are front-wheel drive SUV’s that also offer the option of all-wheel drive for drivers who often have to deal with snowy winter roads or slick, wet pavement.  They also each offer very good cargo space for their size, with a 29 cubic foot trunk and 66 cubic feet of total usable space. Perhaps what is most endearing about the Mariner is that like the Escape it offers real-world combined fuel economy in the neighborhood of 30 miles per gallon.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid’s fuel mileage is broken down by the EPA into 34 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway (front-wheel drive models only – all-wheel drive detracts somewhat from these numbers).  Responsible for these impressive numbers – significantly higher than the ones provided by gasoline-powered competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V – is a 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine that is bolstered by a pair of battery-powered electric motors (3 in total for all-wheel drive models).  Together they produce a very usable 177 horsepower that works well to keep the SUV moving forward with considerable authority.  Seamless shifts from its continuously-variable automatic transmission and effortless management of the balance between battery use and gasoline power make it difficult to tell from behind the wheel whether the Mariner is a Hybrid model or not – at least until it comes time to pay the monthly fuel bill, when the differences are thrown into stark relief.

The Mariner Hybrid benefits from the same gee-whiz technologies packed into the Escape, not the least of which is an optional automated parallel parking system that amazingly pilots the vehicle into an acceptably-sized parking spot almost at the touch of a button.  Regenerative braking and a feature that shuts the gasoline engine down when stopped help to improve fuel savings to an even greater degree, and the Mariner Hybrid finally benefits from electric air conditioning that doesn’t power off when the 4-cylinder stops purring as it did in previous models.

MSRP: $43,235

Estimated MPG: 32 city / 28 highway

Class: Mid-size SUV

The Lexus RX 450h represents the introduction and evolution of the very first hybrid to move beyond economy and add a flavor of luxury to the mix.  The RX helped set the stage for Lexus’ further forays into the world of gasoline / electric vehicles and proved that there was a market for premium hybrids.

The new Lexus RX 450h improves many things about the original Lexus 400h that it replaced for the 2010 model year – its drag coefficient, suspension setup, interior design and overall look – and also sees a more modern hybrid system installed.  Displacement for its V6 is bumped up to 3.5 liters, and using the same style of single or dual electric motor attack the vehicle now produces 295 horsepower.  Despite this increase in output, fuel mileage has actually improved to 32 miles per gallon in city driving and 28 miles per gallon on the highway (front-wheel drive edition).

The vehicle is afforded with a continuously-variable automatic transmission, and can even be ordered with a special sport suspension in order to help it stay surefooted when put through its paces.  Lexus also includes its ECO mode hybrid system management software that can juggle the power demands imposed by the driver and whenever possible revert entirely to battery power to propel the vehicle at lower speeds.

Inside, the RX 450h could best be described as cavernous, with passenger space for 5 and just over 80 cubic feet of total cargo space available.  The crossover SUV can be filled to the brim with comfort options, including leather seats, a DVD entertainment system with not one, but two rear-facing screens, a heads-up display that projects vital vehicle information onto the windshield and even parking assist and a navigation system.

MSRP: $37,290

Estimated MPG: 28 city / 28 highway

Class: Mid-size SUV

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a large SUV that makes use of the company’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system in order to return fuel economy numbers that are more often associated with family sedans rather than heavy trucks.  The Highlander’s combination of enormous interior room and respectable fuel mileage make it a popular choice amongst families on the go.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid has been refreshed in terms of styling, but more importantly its drivetrain has been significantly upgraded.  It now features a 3.5 liter V6 and the addition of two electric motors running through a continuously-variable electronic transmission sends a total system power of 280 horses to all four wheels – 10 ponies more than the year before.  The resulting fuel mileage is also improved to 28 miles per gallon around town and 28 miles per gallon on the highway, which is excellent considering the extra grip, weight and complexity offered by an all-wheel drive vehicle.  The rear wheels are meant to remain idle until a low traction situation is encountered, whereupon they spring into life and offer as much as 25 percent of the hybrid system’s output to help plow ahead.  The SUV’s acceleration matches that of its gasoline-powered stable mate, and it can even be driven up to 2 miles solely on battery power, as long as speeds are kept under 25 miles per hour.

The Highland Hybrid offers up to 3 rows of seating, providing space for as many as 7 passengers or as much as 94.1 cubic feet of luggage, soccer balls, Home Depot purchases or groceries.  Keyless entry, a backup camera and a nice LCD display on the dash that helps to control vehicle functions are standard.  Leather seats, folding outside mirrors, dual climate controls and a cargo cover can be ordered as options.  The Highlander Hybrid’s tall seating position provides a commanding view of the road and helps make drivers feel secure behind the wheel.  Overall, the vehicle’s plus-size dimensions are manageable enough that the Highland makes an excellent minivan replacement for anyone interested in big power and capability without the typical fuel costs.