Tag: best

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

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. (more…)

It is always uneasy to work out a top ten list but still, here are the top ten best hybrid cars for 2012 compiled by our car review team. We also calculated the estimated 5-year cost of ownership based on maintenance, repairs, fuel, depreciation, financing, and insurance. These hybrid car models are currently available for sale in the country with reasonable price, high fuel economy, and of course good looking. Years ago, a car with more than 40 mpg seems astonishing but it is no longer extraordinary today.

1. Toyota Prius

Fuel economy: 51 city/48 highway mpg
Zero to 60 mph: 11.0 sec
Total 5-Year ownership cost: $29,097
Price tag: MSRP from $23,015

The 2012 Prius is in its third generation and it excels all the previous Priuses. This year, it is even classier with some makeover. Outlook is just one thing, the superior fuel efficiency and the selling price are what makes the Prius stay on the top list all the time. The 51 mpg in city drive is able to travel double the journey of a car with 25 mpg. The 2012 Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a pair of electric motors pumping a total of 134 hp. The Prius pushes away all its competitors easily with its spacious cargo, high safety ratings, and many high-tech goodies. (more…)