Hybrid SUVs
Gray Rollins

We've become an SUV fun loving country. After all what could be better than a vehicle that's got plenty of room, goes just about anywhere, and makes you feel safe when you're driving. The trouble is SUVs are fuel guzzlers and they also aren't great for our environment. But wait! Not to worry! Hybrid SUVs are the answer and here are a few of the choices already on the market.

The Ford Escape - It is available as a FWD or 4WD unit. The 2WD gets 31 mpg in town and 36 mpg on the highway; while the 4WD gets 29 mpg in town and 33 mpg on the highway with a cruising range of 400 to 600 miles. Base price is $26,900 US.

A stock 2.3 liter, four cylinder engine is combined with a 65 kilowatt electric motor for a total of 155 HP. It has an electronically controlled automatic variable transmission; rack and pinion steering with electric power assist; and power assisted ABS 4 wheel disk brakes. Fuel capacity is 15 gallons/60 liters and it comes with 16" aluminum wheels.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning; ABS; roof rack; power windows, doors, and mirrors; AM/FM stereo with 6 disk CD; keyless entry; driver and front passenger air bag; intermittent wipers; and perimeter alarm.

The Lexus RX 400H 2WD - It gets 27 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the highway with a cruising range of 450 to 530 miles. Base price is $48,500 US.

The Lexus RX 400H comes with a stock 3.3 liter four cylinder engine, which is combined with permanent magnet electric drive motors for a total of 268 HP. It has electronically controlled automatic variable transmission; rack and pinion steering with electric power assist; and power assisted ABS 4 wheel disk brakes. Fuel capacity is 17.2 gallons/65 liters and it comes with 18" aluminum wheels.

Standard equipment includes dual zone automatic climate control, ABS, 8 speaker sound system with 6 disk CD, slide moon roof, power tilt, garage door transceiver, part time all wheel drive, voice activated navigation system, memory system, remote entry system, and accessory power outlet.

The Toyota Highlander - It is available as a FWD or 4WD unit. The 2WD gets 28 mpg in town and 33 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD gets 27 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the highway. Base price is $33,000 US.

It comes with a stock 3.3 liter double overhead cam V6 gas motor with 4500 rpm electric drive motors for a total of 268 HP. It has electronically controlled automatic variable transmission; electronic power steering; and ABS 4 wheel disk brakes. Fuel capacity is 17.2 gallons/65 liters and it comes with 17 1/2" five spoke aluminum wheels.

Standard equipment includes dual power tilt, moon roof with sunshade, roof rack, intermittent wipers, remote keyless entry, advanced airbag system, digital climate control system, power heated outside mirrors, and optional 4WD.

There's quite a range in pricing between these hybrid SUVs; so you'll want to do your research and find out which unit best meets your needs and provides the best value.

Today's Headlines:

Lexus Announces New RX 400h Hybrid Model, New Pricing on RX 400h Luxury Gas/Electric Hybrid SUVs

Lexus announced today the addition of a front-wheel drive RX 400h in addition to the all-wheel drive model which has been on sale since April of this year, making the hybrid gas/electric version of America's ...


Governors Parking SUVs

A CNN article reports on several Governors that are parking their SUVs to encourage conservation. Here are some Governors that have switched to cars with better gas mileage. Florida Governor Jeb Bush is now driving a white Ford Escape hybrid. "It's kind of hard to be arguing to conserve gasoline when you're driving around in a Ford Expedition that guzzles it down at a 6- to 8-mile per gallon clip," Bush said last month. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is driving a Ford Escape hybrid. "You need to practice what you preach," Richardson said. Maine Governor John Baldacci is driving a Chevrolet Impala. And Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack have switched to SUVs that run on a blend of gas-ethanol called E85.


Tax savings for hybrid cars and SUVs

With gas still hovering just below three bucks a gallon, hybrids are more and more appealing -- and thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, U.S. residents who own hybrids may be eligible for savings on their taxes, too....


Consumer Reports rates Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Lexus RX400h best in tests of midsized SUVs

Two new hybrids, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h, are now Consumer Reports' top-rated midsized SUVs following tests for the November issue. The sport-utility vehicle earned "Excellent" overall scores--the only midsized SUVs tested by Consumer Reports to earn that distinction. Four other SUVs in this monthly test group, the Mercedes-Benz ML350, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Nissan Pathfinder, and Land Rover LR3, earned "Very Good" overall scores.


Toyota's Hybrid SUVs Will Carry Premium Price

Posted 3/29/05 11 a.m. CST The Lexus RX 400h will go on sale in the United States on April 15.