hybrid cars: March 2010

Mercury Mariner - FWD 4dr Hybrid

>> Wednesday, March 31, 2010

MSRP Range: $23,560 - $31,855
Fuel Economy: 34 MPG city / 31 MPG highway
Seating capacity: 5

Honda Civic Hybrid - Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT)

The 2010 Honda Civic returns virtually unchanged from 2009, continuing in sedan and coupe body styles and again offering a gas-electric hybrid model. Choose a sedan over a coupe for the best blend of cabin space and ride quality.And go for the 2010 Honda Civic LX trim level (one step up from the base DX) for the best value in the Civic line. That gets you a spry compact car packed with features at a competitive $18,400 or so with automatic transmission.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Overview

Technical Specifications

Make: Toyota

Model: Camry Hybrid

Engine: 2.4 litre four-cylinder

Aspiration: Natural

Maximum Power: 147 hp (110 kW) @ 6000 rpm

Maximum Torque: 138 lb-ft (187 Nm) @ 4400 rpm

Electric Motor Maximum Power: 141 hp (105 kW) @ 4500 rpm

Electric Motor Maximum Torque: 199 lb-ft (269 Nm) @ idle

Transmission: Continuously variable transmission (CVT)

Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive

Mazda Tribute Overview

Price Range: $22,130 - $28,600
Body Style: SUV
Performance & Efficiency: 2,488 cc 2.5 liters in-line 4 front engine with 88.9 mm bore, 100.1 mm stroke, 9.7 compression ratio,
Mazda Tribute Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- 2,488 cc 2.5 liters in-line 4 front engine with 88.9 mm bore, 100.1 mm stroke, 9.7 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder-
- Unleaded fuel 87 and petrol
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 17.5 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 14.6
- Power: 128 kW , 171 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 171 ft lb , 232 Nm @ 4,500 rpm

The 2010 Mazda Tribute is the smallest crossover SUV in the zoom-zoom family, but it’s big on utility. Under the Tribute’s hood is a 171-horsepower, 2.5-liter inline-four or an all-aluminum 240-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6, both of which have variable cam technology and earn the Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle award. A hybrid version is also available. Drivetrain options include two- and all-wheel drive, and a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tribute earned 18-22 mpg city and 23-28 mpg highway ratings from the EPA.

For added environmental friendliness, both engines are now Flex Fuel capable. Horsepower and fuel economy are competitive with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4; of particular importance, the Honda CR-V does not offer a V-6, meaning the Tribute is a much higher-powered vehicle when properly equipped. Functionality is high with over 1,100 pounds of payload capacity and up to a 3,500-pound tow rating.