Green Technology

Let's face it.  Most Hybrids are not cool cars; they lack "sex appeal".  Think the Honda Insight and the  GM EV-1. 

Some manage to become stars in their own right.  Think the Toyota Prius as seen all over Hollywood and in the HBO Series Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Recently I was looking for cars to replace a 10 year old (non hybrid) Saab.  While not super cool it is not a mini van either.  And it gets pretty decent mileage - around 24 MPG average over 140,000 miles.  As a family we had taken many long trips piled into the Saab with the roof rack loaded so whatever we get needs to carry lots of stuff.

As a family (wife, son and daughter) we checked out the Toyota Prius and Highlander.  As a couple we checked out the Civic.

Here's what I found: 

Toyota Prius -
Pluses:   Cool electronics and back up camera showing on display.  Fun watching the propulsions system show the switch back and forth (electric to gas to both). Almost a game seeing who can get more regenerative kW from braking.
Minuses:  Small, not available with a roof rack.

Toyota Highlander -
Pluses:   Big, roomy and commanding view of the road.  Roof rack and the ability to tow.  Should be comfortable for a long road trip. 
Minuses:  Not so great gas mileage.  Elecronics were not as cool as the Prius.

Honda Civic -
Pluses:   Cool electronics, can take a roof rack and drivew well.  Grat gas mileage. 
Minuses:  Small.  Rear seat cannot fold down due to battery packs so a bit limiting in space / carrying ability

So what did we do?  We decided to wait for the Hybrid minivan that should appear on the horizon any time now.  Problem is that a mini van is even less cool than a Hybrid.  I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.  

See what others think ...

VIA The New York Times, Wed, Oct. 25, 2006 (Gas and Electic:  Searching for the Sex Appeal in a Hybrid). 

Check out these Hybrid Links:

Prius
Highlander
Civic