Best Hybrid SUVs
Consumer Reports has come up with a list of the best hybrid SUVs for 2010. Keep in mind that a hybrid SUV is not a bona fide SUV according to some people used to driving really big SUVs like Chevy Suburbans and such. Regardless, they are bigger than other hybrid cars.
Onward…
Leading the list is the Ford Escape 4-cylinder CVT, which is surprising to me because it’s a U.S. manufacturer. By the way, in case you didn’t know, “CVT” stands for “Continuously Variable Transmission.” Drivers of CVT – equipped vehicles enjoy better gas mileage from the CVT alone, smoother acceleration, quieter rides, and none of the other disadvantages associated with conventional 3 or 4-speed geared transmissions.
Next on the list is the Mazda Tribute 4-cyl CVT, followed by the Mercury Mariner 4-cyl CVT and the Ford Escape XLT V6.
Notice that the Ford Escape XLT has a V6 gasoline engine (along with the electric motor system like all hybrids). It’s interesting to note that all of the V6-equipped hybrids listed by Consumer Reports in the top ten, including the Mazda Tribute XLT and the Mercury Mariner XLT, were listed as getting 26 mpg overall (city plus highway averaged together) – all of them.
But 26 miles per gallon of gasoline for a mid-size SUV that has monster acceleration is not bad at all.