Getting your player ready...
Thirty-eight models of vehicles are being offered with gas/electric hybrid power in the U.S. today. They represent 20 makes and 10 manufacturers.
These numbers ought to suggest a scramble for market share, though that isn’t the case. The hybrid field has been dominated for 12 years by Toyota Motor Corp., since introduction of its popular Prius hybrid in 2000, and unveiling of other Toyota and Lexus variations along the way.
The Prius wasn’t the first hybrid on the U.S. scene; that honor fell to the Honda Insight, but that odd-looking two-door didn’t last. More than a million Prius cars have been sold since. In addition to five Toyota models and five of Lexus already in the hybrid mix, Toyota will soon offer a 2013 Avalon gas/electric sedan. It also plans to introduce a Yaris hybrid in Europe; that line is covered in the U.S. by the new Prius c, so the Yaris version won’t be sold here.
Top four selling hybrids through the end of June this year are all Toyotas. Following the standard Prius Liftback are the Camry, the Prius v and Prius c, then the Hyundai Sonata hybrid. Sixth in sales, and the best-selling Lexus, is the CT200h, which uses the same 1.8-liter gas engine and 60kw AC electric motor as does the Prius. It, too, is tied to a continually variable transmission. I spent last week piloting the Lexus, which in its wagon-type hatchback style is better-looking than the Prius, and offers a much softer, luxurious and appealing interior. I averaged 42 miles per gallon with the CT200h, a few mpg under what I normally achieve with the Prius. The front-drive Lexus and its CVT is very smooth, though not always responsive, as the CVT’s gear ratios default to “most efficient” rather than “most responsive” performance. That can be improved a bit by switching the drive mode to Sport (for more throttle and quicker shift), rather than Normal or Eco. The Premium edition of the CT200h is dressed up with an F Sport package, highlighted by dark alloy wheels, rear spoiler, aluminum sport pedals and black leather inteior. Steering and suspension are tightened with retuned springs and antiroll bars; it becomes somewhat of a sporty handler, with a low center of gravity. Constant maneuvering in Sport mode, of course, would drop fuel mileage into the 30s. The Lexus is equipped with small sun visors and large side mirrors, which are set out an extra inch or two from the pillars. The rear seating area, tight for legroom and footroom in exiting, has no cupholders.
