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Five Manufacturers with the Best Listed Hybrid Prices.

When hybrid cars first became a household name, they were also identified as too expensive and outlandish to even be plausible to purchase. Even for the most futuristic minded and environmentally friendly types, most agreed that they would wait until they hybrid cars were mainstreamed. Some people were worried about the kinks that engineers were still trying to work out. No one wanted to be the guinea pig. Others felt that the money they would save in gas would not help them with the up-front costs, warranty questions, and possible battery issues, which were much more risky than in the average car. Luckily, some brave, financially secure people were willing to start the market rolling. Several years later, the demand is high enough to even produce some healthy price wars among makers.

Despite the stereotype that hybrids are a luxury vehicle, prices have gone down considerably. The 2005 Toyota Prius, for example has a base price of $21,275, which includes the eerie halogen headlights, High Solar Energy-Absorbing glass, and integrated fog lamps. These standard options are not the norm for most typical, non-hybrid, 4-door vehicles, so it already sounds like Toyota is creating an irresistible package for their hybrid. Honda’s Civic hybrid is also competitively starting at $21,850 for this energy efficient version of their famous sedan. Their standard package includes MP3 capabilities built-in, cruise control, and speed-sensitive volume control, not to mention their patented iVTEC engine technology. Honda has also created the insight, which also starts in the $21,000 range. Ford has also begun its hybrid campaign, which will hopefully combat the general idea that they are the king of American gas-guzzling vehicles.

In fact, only Lexus bypasses Toyota and Honda in price range. The Lexus hybrid is going to start you in the $49,500 department, but even that sounds good if you consider that their GS starts for just a couple thousand less than that. This is nothing shocking, though. Lexus has always been the luxury maker, and everyone knows that you are going to spend at least double for a sedan or SUV when you buy from them. Since other makers in their range have not started pushing their own hybrids yet, Lexus can only compete with itself.

Some people are saying that all these car makers should start focusing on the latest project of making SUV hybrids. The logic is that it is already easy enough to make a fuel efficient car that is not a hybrid. People really want to have the room and versatility of an SUV, but they do not want to contribute to the rising gas concerns. Already, GM, Mercury, Lexus, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Saturn, Chevrolet and Honda have started hybrid campaigns, under the realization that SUVs are the real gas guzzlers, and more environmentally unsound, compared to sedans and mid-size vehicles. Toyota, who has already boasted the best numbers for sales of hybrids in general, is starting their mid-size SUV, the Highlander at $33,000. The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariners, which are both compact SUVs, start at around $29,000. Of course, the mid-size Lexus RX400 is going to run you at least $48,000, but again, they usually do. Generally, a hybrid mid-size or compact SUV will cost at least $9,000 more than its non-hybrid counterpart.

The real wars are starting deep within the advances being made daily in hybrid technology. Honda and Toyota are constantly coming up with improved batteries which are smaller. The computer technology which helps the vehicles switch from electric to gas is being made smarter and more reliable. Honda’s revamped Civic has speculators saying that it will give Toyota a challenge, while Toyota is cutting down the prices for their Prius as much as possible to inspire consumers to purchase one. The new price wars are being fueled by foreign fuel and environmental concerns, which are making consumers more and more ready to trade in their car for a hybrid. Makers see this as an opportunity to inspire buyers to make the switch sooner, by lowering the prices for their hybrid models representing people’s favorite regular models. With all these factors, hybrids are becoming more accessible to the average person who wants to get the fuel-conscience movement racing.

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