2011 Hyundai Equus Review & Prices

The Equus has been highly anticipated by many Chicago Hyundai Equus enthusiasts because it has many of the same features as a high-end luxury vehicle with a price anywhere from $12,000 - $35,000 less. The leather is soft. The seat is plush and comfortable, and the headliner is made from of Alcantara suede, just like that in an S65 AMG. The 2011 Hyundai Equus even has French stitching on the leather-wrapped dash.

This full-size, rear-drive luxury sedan will give Hyundai a budget alternative to a Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS, Jaguar XJ or other top-notch sedans. The Equus rides on a 5-link suspension (front and rear) featuring lightweight aluminum control arms while Hyundai has worked in partnership with ZF-SACHS to develop an air-suspension that is electronically governed to minimize body roll, nose-diving and other undesirable characteristics.

Other notable highlights include the standard Vehicle Stability Management which integrates the Lane Departure Warning System, Pre-Safety System, Third Generation Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and other sub-systems, as well as the addition of a Knee Air Bag for the driver that brings the total airbag count to nine.

Hyundai says the price of the 2011 Equus should start at $50,000-$60,000 and the vehicle will be extremely well-equipped, meaning the Equus would undercut prices on comparable competitor vehicles.

2011 Nissan Altima Review

 In 2009, Nissan sold 203,568 Altimas, which earned it the bronze medal behind the Toyota Camry (356,824 units sold) and Honda Accord (290,056), but put it only a scant 20,000 units ahead of the Ford Fusion. So, when changes to America's number-three-selling midsize family sedan were announced, we knew we had to see firsthand whether Nissan improved its car -- and potentially, its position on the sales podium.

Now the changes aren't huge. The Altima received a head-to-toe redesign back in 2007,which was largely responsible for those strong sales numbers. To keep things fresh without losing the formula, Nissan product planners have wisely kept this update subtle.

The biggest change the 2010 Altima receives is to its front end. The one-piece front-bumper fascia receives understated chrome edging to the three slats of its tweaked grille. Vertical creases now break up the intake area of the lower fascia into three separate parts and give the Altima a beak reminiscent of a VW Jetta's. The hood has been reshaped to include a bump in the center and is now straight at its leading edge. More noticeable is that the headlights have lost their large amber reflective element.

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review

The best-selling passenger car in America for 8 striaight years, the Toyota Camry, is now available for the 2011 model year as a fuel-saving hybrid sedan at Carson Toyota. This new Camry Hybrid is rated at 31/35 MPG (33 combined), and provides power via both the gas engine and the electric motor, or both.

The 2011 Camry Hybrid model owes its outstanding efficiency to Hybrid Synergy Drive, which produces a combined 187 horsepower and varies power between the gas engine and electric motor, or combines both, as needed. The first part of Hybrid Synergy Drive consists of a 147-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine coupled with an electronically- controlled planetary-gear continuously variable transmission.

The second part combines a small high-torque 40-hp electric motor, an ultra-small inverter with a specially designed compact battery and a transaxle to seamlessly combine power from the electric motor and gasoline engine. Because there are situations in which the gasoline engine in a Toyota hybrid shuts completely off, air conditioning and power steering systems are driven electrically.

Los Angeles Toyota shoppers can further reduce energy by using Camry’s “ECO” button which limits energy consumption by the climate control system, and under certain conditions can actually help improve fuel economy. Special attention was also paid to vehicle underbody aerodynamics, including the use of wheel spats and underbelly pans, which help yield a coefficient of drag of just 0.27.

The 2011 Camry Hybrid is certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and is one of just a handful of cars that meet this strict standard. It produces over 70 percent less smog-forming emissions than the average new car

2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid Review

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid ranks 3 out of 8 Full Size Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 18 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2010 Silverado 1500 Hybrid combines improved fuel economy with decent truck capabilities. However, it may take you a while to recoup the extra cash you'll lay out for the Silverado Hybrid's price premium over the gas-only Silverado.

Full size pickup trucks have long been a target for green-based complaints but the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid makes that target a little harder to hit.   While the fuel economy isn't going to set Al Gore's heart aflutter, the Silverado Hybrid and its corporate cousin, the GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid, is the most fuel-efficient truck you can buy -- and buying it requires little sacrifice in terms of capabilities. Motor Trend says, "Despite the eco-friendly gasoline-electric drivetrain and miserly (for a truck, at least) fuel economy that goes with it, this is a legitimate full-size pickup."

However, the Silverado Hybrid starts at the high end of the full size pickup class (though it does come very well equipped for the money). Even with an available $2,200 tax credit for buying the truck, the Silverado Hybrid's price tag means it doesn't make sense for every buyer. People who drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic are likely to get the most benefit from the Silverado Hybrid, because it can run on electric power alone at slow speeds, and its engine shuts off when it's stopped in traffic, which saves a lot of fuel. Still, even with the tax credit, if gas prices stay below $3.00 a gallon it should take about four years to save enough on gas to cover the Silverado Hybrid's price premium.  Of course, if you spend more time in traffic or gas prices go back up, the payoff comes a lot sooner.

Compared to the gas-only Silverado, the Silverado hybrid has a 40 percent increase in city fuel economy, and achieves gas mileage similar to a midsize sedan's. At the same time, it has a comfortable and roomy cabin and a useful cargo bed.  While it may not be able to out-tow or haul a gas-only truck, its capabilities are certainly in line with what most buyers need, and its fuel bills are in line with what most buyers want.
Other Trucks to Consider

The Silverado Hybrid has similar capabilities to the conventional Silverado, but if you frequently tow or haul large loads, the gas-only Silverado may make more sense.  At its beefiest, the Silverado can tow over 10,000 pounds, while the Silverado hybrid tops out at just over 6,000.  If your truck needs are more than the Silverado Hybrid can handle, you should also check out the Ford F-150.  The F-150 can out tow and haul the Silverado Hybrid, and while it only uses gasoline for power, it does have an ultra-efficient (for a truck) SFE trim that maximizes fuel economy. The Silverado is also available in a non-hybrid, super efficient XFE trim. Both the Silverado XFE and F-150 SFE get 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway.

Details: The Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

The Silverado Hybrid is available in two trims: the work truck-oriented HY1 and more luxurious HY2. Unlike most other trucks, it is only available in one configuration: a four-door crew cab with a six-foot short bed.  A 6.0-liter V8 is standard.  The Silverado Hybrid was introduced in 2009.  For 2010, it gains flex fuel capabilities.

Luxury Hybrid SUV Lexus RX 400h Review

Lexus RX 400h is world's first luxury gas electric hybrid SUV car. The hybrid car would be powered by V6 Hybrid Synergy Drive system. It will also be rated as Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle which is one of the toughest emission rating in auto Industry.

The other attraction for this hybrid car will be its Vehicle Dynamic Management or VDM. Its functionality is that it would anticipate whenever the vihicle tends to skid or slide and it also helps in controlling the situation by brakes and throttle control.

The 3.3-liter, V6 engine and 400h hybrid powertrain with powerful electric motor improves the fuel efficiency and low and mid acceleration. It could operate on gas or electic motor or combine both to have great fuel efficiency. The fuel consumption for this car is approximately 27.6 mpg. 0-60 km speed could be reached at sub-8 second time.

The  Lexus RX 400h Hybrid car charges batteries by reclaiming energy at the time of braking popularly known as regenerative braking system. When the brakes are applied electri motor acts as generator which in turn captures kinetic energy and convert it to electric energy which is lost in conventional cars in the form of heat through brakes.

Specifications for 2005 Lexus RX 400h hybrid car

`` Powertrain: Engine - 3.3 liter V6
`` Electric motor(s) - Permanent magnet
`` Estimated total horsepower - 270
`` Expected EPA emissions rating - Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV)
`` Transmission - Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)
`` Length: 186.6 in.
`` Width: 72.6 in.
`` Height: 66.1 in.
`` Wheelbase: 106.9 in.