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Top Ten Best Hybrid Cars For 2012 – Part Two

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This is part two, please click here to read Top Ten Best Hybrid Cars For 2012 part one.

6. Toyota Prius C or Toyota Aqua

Toyota Prius C

Fuel economy: 53 city/46 highway mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 10.6 sec
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $N/A
Price tag: MSRP from $19,710

The Toyota Prius C has just been launched a month ago for less than RM100K in Malaysia and it is expected to be launched in the U.S. around spring 2012. The fuel economy is five stars but the price is only one star. The “Smaller Prius” is powered byToyota’sHybrid Synergy Drivesystem, fitted with a 1.5-liter petrol engine and an electric motor giving a total output of 101 hp. Under the rear seats, you can find a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery which is used to power the motor. For safety, a pair of ventilated discs is fitted to the front wheels and the drums were at the back. Thanks to theNormal, ECO and EV mode available for the driver, the Prius C gets an impressive 53 mpg in city drive which is even better than the Prius.

7. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Fuel economy: 43 city/39 highway mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 7.6 sec. It is fast and less thirsty!
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $31,494
Price tag: MSRP from $25,900

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine paired with an electric motor that helps to achieve a combined 41 mpg. The engine is beltless with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive “Full Hybrid” system like the Prius, Prius C, and Honda Civic Hybrids. The Camry Hybrid is big, the interior is big, and the saving on fuel is big too. Safety features including Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology are all available in this car.

8. Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt

Fuel economy: 95 city/93 highway mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 9.2 sec in electric mode and 9 seconds in gasoline-powered engine mode.
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $To Be Calculate
Price tag: MSRP from $39,145

Years ago, cars with 40 mpg are extraordinary but today, cars with 90+ mpg are amazing. Chevy Volt is one of the plug-in hybrids in the market that amaze its buyers with a combined 94 mpg OTR (On The Road). It may be pricey but savings on petrol could be worth at the end of the day. With a full charge on the T-shape lithium-ion battery, the Volt is able to travel 35 miles solely on electric. Once the battery juice is run out, the gasoline-powered engine will kick off and give an extra of approximately 300 miles. 35 miles on pure electric mode is adequate for people who travel within this distance. The only thing not-so-good about the car is the rear seat legroom that should be wider.

9. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Fuel economy: 35 city/40 highway mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 8.7 sec. It is reasonably quick for a hybrid sedan.
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $34,718
Price tag: MSRP from $25,850

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is fully equipped with what its competitors have. This includes high fuel economy, comfortable cabin, spacious cargo, and high safety rankings. Besides, it is also one charming hybrid you can find in the market in 2012. Longer warranty is a huge attraction for consumers who compare the Sonata with other similar cars such as Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid. All hybrid components in the Sonata enjoy a lifetime warranty from Hyundai. For those who look for a cheap but good looking hybrid, the Sonata Hybrid will be the one.

10. Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

Fuel economy: projected a combined 45 mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 9.0 sec
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $N/A
Price tag: Expected to be launched in late 2012 with a claim from VW “competitively priced with other compact hybrids”

If you are not in a hurry to get a hybrid in 2012, you may wait until late 2012 as the Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is expected to be launched then. The Jetta Hybrid features a small lithium-ion battery pack at the back with just 1.1 kWh but it is able to push the car up to 44 mph using just electrons. The hybrid system marries a 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with a 20-kW (27hp) electric motor giving a total of 150 hp output and 184 Nm of torque. For all these features, do you think it worth to wait for a few more months?

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