40-50 mpg diesel sedans in Europe. Some built by Ford but not offered here. What gives?
My guess is, if the USA doubled or tripled the mileage of its fleet, it would decrease tax revenue by said amount; it's all about the money going to the government coffers. What else, could it be?
"Sleek" and "sporty" aren't typical adjectives used to describe the vast majority of today's hybrids. Instead, hybrids conjure up descriptors such as "practical," "bare-bones," and "ho-hum." But that's to be expected. Their job is not to be fun to fling, but rather to be eco-friendly and efficient. A slick design and lots of amenities would only add weight to the vehicle and, consequently, reduce fuel economy. They would also drive up the price tag considerably. Here are our our picks for five hybrids that might be winners in the efficiency game but that are losers when it comes to style.
Unless you have an unshakable loyalty to the Civic, Honda's hybrid version of this stalwart is a thoroughly uneventful vehicle. Although it was redesigned for 2012, the gas-electric Civic still looks bland next to the more innovative Insight, and it can't match the Toyota Prius for fuel economy or cargo space. The 2012 model brings some notable advances, such as a lithium-ion battery, but little else to raise an eyebrow.
When Lincoln rolled out a hybrid version of its MKZ, nobody looked too surprised. The MKZ is essentially a better-appointed version of the Ford Fusion, a car that Ford has hybridized to notable acclaim. The hybrid MKZ comes with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 191 horsepower. As for fuel economy, the MKZ hybrid ranks at 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway.
The Prius is king of the hybrids, a title it rightly deserves. Now in its third generation, this is the car that set the market standard and continues to reign in fuel economy, at 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway. But the success and popularity of the Prius are exactly why it goes on the boring list. Great as it is, the Prius is almost a cliché. However, things might get more interesting as Toyota broadens the Prius line to include a larger model and a compact city car.
Honda deserves credit for trying to hit a lofty target: a sporty and inspiring hybrid with great fuel economy. Sadly, the CR-Z fails to impress on either count. With its 1.5-liter engine and electric motor assist, the CR-Z gets 35 mpg city/39 mpg highway — respectable but not exceptional — and reviewers tend to find its performance underwhelming. If nothing else, Honda has drawn attention to a segment of efficient, sporty and city-centric vehicles of which we would be happy to see more.
What the Camry Hybrid possesses in quality, it lacks in attitude. Generally regarded as a comfortable, well-thought-out and capably performing car, the Camry Hybrid is one of the most tepid gas-electrics on the market. For its size and capabilities, the Camry Hybrid punches in at 31 mpg city/35 mph highway. If your aim is to blend in, this is one of the most comfortable and fuel-efficient ways to get the job done.
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