Buying Guides
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For several years, Toyota had the hybrid market pretty much sewn up with its Prius. Okay, so it never reached the heady economy highs of the original Honda Insight, but it was far more practical and electric running made it the hybrid of choice in city driving. That's until the Ford C-Max Hybrid appeared, at any rate. If you're in the market for one of the cars, the chances are you're also in the market for the other--so we've pulled together the pros and cons of each to help you decide on your next hybrid family car. Toyota Prius We'll start with the incumbent challenger. Loved and loathed...
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Is The 2001-2003 Toyota Prius A Good Used Car Buy?
It was small, unassuming, almost a shrinking violet, really. The first-generation Toyota Prius hybrid -- launched in the U.S. in 2001 -- was the first five-seat family car to offer hybrid-electric drive and unimaginably high gas mileage. Twelve years after its initial launch, the Prius family has...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Hybrid Cars: Six Important Things Everyone Should Know (But May Not)
Hybrid cars are increasing in popularity all the time in the U.S, but they still make only a small proportion of new vehicle sales, and as such some people still aren't clued-up on their benefits. Hybrids use two powertrains--in the U.S, that's generally a gasoline engine and electric motors...
Antony Ingram -
Diesel Cars: Six Important Things Everyone Should Know (But May Not)
It's an exciting time for diesel fans in the U.S, with automakers finally waking up to that section of the market that longs for great highway MPG and lots of torque. Most people already know the benefits of modern diesels, but there are a few general things that people may have missed. So in the...
Antony Ingram -
Electric Cars: Eight Important Things Everyone Should Know (But May Not)
Sometime in the next few weeks, the 100,000th plug-in electric car will be sold in the U.S. But they're still mostly a mystery to the average new-car buyer, and there are a few key principles that get shared over and over again. Here they are, boiled down for easy consumption: eight things you need...
John Voelcker -
Buyer's Guide: 2014 Plug-In Hybrids From Toyota, Ford, Honda & More
Not all plug-in electric cars rely on battery power alone; some also have gasoline engines as backups, for longer range or more power. Last year, we identified six plug-in hybrid vehicles on sale during 2013. This year, the list gains three new entries (from BMW, Cadillac, and Mitsubishi) and loses...
John Voelcker -
Make a car desirable enough, and people will buy it whatever is powering the wheels. That's the theory anyway, but in a world of unease over the suitability of electric cars, the Henrik Fisker has taken the more comfortable, usable route to creating an electric car: The range-extended Fisker Karma. When the EPA-rated 32-mile electric range is depleted, a 2.0-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine kicks in to generate power, keeping the electric motors running. The $102,000 Karma gets 52 MPGe under electric power and 20 MPG in range-sustaining gasoline mode. Full review: 2012 Fisker Karma We've...
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2013 Electric Cars: Rated Range For Each Model, Ultimate Guide
It's really the defining feature of any plug-in electric car: How much electric range does it have? The ever-helpful EPA, which has rated the gas mileage of all new cars, publishes its estimates of electric range for every plug-in car on the market. So here's our list of all 2013 plug-in cars, with...
John Voelcker -
Most Efficient AWD Cars: Beat The Snow, And The Gas Pump
When a weather system dumps an uncommon amount of snow in your part of the world, thoughts often turn to how you might get about in it. Provided you've not got a seven-foot drift blocking you indoors, those plans might involve an all-wheel drive car. 4WD is no substitute for careful driving and a...
Antony Ingram -
Best Gas Mileage You Can Get: Top 10 Hybrids
Are you in the market for a hybrid car? You probably want great gas mileage, without switching to diesel fuel, or taking the next step into plug-in vehicles. The good news is, plug-ins aside, virtually all the most fuel-efficient cars on sale right now are hybrids. Whether you're after a spacious...
Antony Ingram -
Skyfall Sequel: Five James Bond Cars For A New Green Age
James Bond, Agent 007, has now been driving his Aston Martin DB5 sports cars since 1964. With the new film, Skyfall, opening tomorrow, we thought we'd propose some new motor cars for Commander Bond. He's ventured into many other vehicles, including airplanes, submarines, and newer Aston Martins...
John Voelcker -
2013 Nissan Sentra: Details, Reviews, Gas Mileage
If you're in the market for a new Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Jetta, you're also in the market for the 2013 Nissan Sentra. While we haven't driven the 2013 Sentra on GreenCarReports yet, our sister site at TheCarConnection has reviewed the car in full--useful for any potential buyer...
Antony Ingram -
As cars throughout the automotive spectrum get more efficient, it's an increasing dilemma for buyers looking to improve their gas mileage. Just what should I buy? One of those fancy hybrids, or a regular, fuel-efficient car? Different fuel efficient vehicles excel at different types of driving--and as we know, driving styles and conditions have quite an effect on gas mileage. City driving Driving in the city presents its own set of unique challenges, and driving conditions also vary from city to city. Usually though, city driving means a few things: Slow traffic, plenty of time spent at a...
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Five Turbocharged Green Cars You Need To Drive
There was a time when a turbocharger under the hood meant one thing and one thing only: that the car you were driving was a performance-oriented, sporty beast with that oh-so-addictive turbo whine. Today, the turbocharger has become the biggest thing in green car technology since the hybrid...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Ultimate Guide To Gas-Sipping Minicars On Sale In The U.S.
Which side are you on? Bigger is better? Or perhaps 'No replacement for displacement'? Or do you think more along the lines of 'small is beautiful' and 'good things come in small packages'? If it's the latter, then you may also be a fan of the smallest cars manufacturers have to offer. And if you...
Antony Ingram -
2013 Green Car Buyers Guide: Hybrids, Diesels, Plug-Ins
It's autumn, which means that new 2013 cars are now showing up in dealerships all across the country. With gas prices high and new fuel-economy standards in effect, automakers are rolling out new green cars of every type. Here's our selective list of the important new green models you'll be able to...
John Voelcker -
2013 Plug-In Hybrids: Our Roundup
Hybrids have been popular gas-sipping choices for several years, but it's taken until this year for momentum to really gather behind plug-in hybrids. Using mostly familiar hybrid technology, but with larger batteries that can be charged separately as well as during driving, many consider plug-in...
Antony Ingram -
Making The Transition To A Hybrid Car? Here’s What To Expect
Over the past decade, hybrid electric cars have gone from being niche market vehicles for movie stars and green thinkers to everyday vehicles that can save you big money on your gas bill. In fact, with more hybrid cars to choose from than ever before, there’s never a better time to make the...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
It's not difficult to find cars with high gas mileage these days. Car manufacturers have made a stirling effort in recent years to push economy up, without sacrificing performance or equipment. So if you're in the market for a new green car, but want a little fun every time you drive it, what are your options? We've taken a look at several price points, to select a fun, gas-sipping car for every budget. Under $15,000 Smart ForTwo Passion Coupe, $14,890, 36 mpg combined The Smart ForTwo doesn't have the greatest reputation for fuel efficiency given its size, but with new cars under $15,000 you...
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2013 Ford Escape: Why You Need To Look Beyond Gas Mileage
Ford’s all-new 2013 Escape compact crossover may have only been on sale for a few months, but it is already proving a strong seller at Ford dealerships across the U.S. On paper, there’s little difference between the gas mileage figures of the entry-level 2.5-liter, four-cylinder Ford...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
2012 Tesla Model S: Electric Luxury Sedan Ultimate Guide
Finally, after several years of teaser images, videos, clips, auto show appearances and more, there are finally production examples of the 2012 Tesla Model S driving around on the streets Tesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] has been working tirelessly to put the Model S on the market, and CEO Elon Musk even...
Antony Ingram -
Where's The Cheapest Place To Buy A Toyota Prius In The U.S?
Have you ever wondered whether you're paying over the odds for a car, compared to your neighbors in other states? We all know that prices differ abroad, but there can sometimes be hundreds of dollars between a car in one state, and the price people pay in another. We decided to investigate the...
Antony Ingram -
2012 Retro Rides: Fiat 500 Beats Beetle, Mini On Gas Mileage
There was a time when small European cars like the original Fiat 500, Volkswagen Beetle and Mini represented the very epitome of cheap, stylish, practical motoring. So much so that all three original cars have inspired contemporary retro-styled rides meant to evoke the memories of days gone by. But...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield -
Outgoing 2012 Nissan Altima: Could It Be A Bargain?
Right now, Nissan dealers across the U.S. are preparing themselves for the launch of the 2013 Altima. In order to clear their inventory of old stock, dealers are likely to be offering some great deals on the outgoing 2012 Altima -- the second best selling car in the U.S. last year. But should you...
Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield