Jul 14, 2006  |  By: JOE PHILLIPS  | COMMENTS     

It’s summertime and the living is easy — if you have a hybrid. While diesels attempt a comeback and domestic automakers push ethanol-fueled vehicles, hybrids are today’s green scene blockbusters.

That’s because many hybrids get anywhere from 30 to 50 mpg and most get you a tax break, unrestricted access to car-pool lanes and good warranties. Some enviro-friendly companies even give employees closer parking and up to $3,000 to buy a hybrid. Earlier this year, Ford even offered interest-free hybrid loans.

But hybrids aren’t glitch-free. They can cost up to $5,000 more than conventional cars. And some hybrid owners have complained that Environmental Protection Agency mileage estimates don’t match real-world driving (At www.fueleconomy.gov, the EPA now lets owners of all cars, not just hybrids, post their mileage).

Still, with summer pump prices expected to be as much as 40 cents per gallon more than last year, hybrids are on a roll.

Nissan Altima
Price: $29,000 (est.)
Mpg: 43 city/37 highway (est.)
In showrooms: Early 2007
Look out Honda, Nissan is tossing its most popular and stylish sedan into the hybrid ring. That’s good news for buyers put off by the reliable but frumpy Honda offerings, the Insight, Civic and Accord.

Due in showrooms early next year, the super Altima (a tuner fave) was revamped earlier this year. The only problem is that Nissan initially will sell the car in only eight emissions-conscious states: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Expect this to change as demand heats up.

The slick hybrid, which offers the same creature comforts found in the traditional model, runs on a four-cylinder engine that has the power and torque of a V6. The result: a snappy performance car with great fuel economy.

Saturn VUE Green Line
Price: $23,000
Mpg: 27 city/32 highway
In showrooms: Any day now
With room for Captain Jack Sparrow and four of his mates, the VUE hybrid can stow plenty of pirate booty in the spacious cargo hold. There’s even a pop-up grocery-bag holder. For hauling extra-long items, the front passenger seat folds down.

This is a mild hybrid, offering less fuel savings than more hardcore hybrids. Still, it gets 20 percent better mileage and actually is faster than the regular model. It’s also the least-expensive hybrid SUV around, making it a fierce competitor to the popular Ford Escape. Another plus: the VUE’s redesign this year is almost as snazzy as the Saturn Sky roadster.

Lexus GS 450h
Price: $55,000
Mpg: 25 city/28 highway
In showrooms now
The devil may wear Prada, and it’s likely she drives the GS 450h, a helluva sweet ride. This is the first rear-wheel-drive hybrid, with a gutsy 339-hp gas-electric powertrain and dual exhausts to increase performance. Cornering is tight, with a spirited 0-to-60 time of just 5.2 seconds.

State-of-the-art wizardry gives the GS 450h better mileage than its V8 competitors, as well as fewer noxious emissions. As if that weren’t enough, the interior if loaded with Lexus luxury: real wood, eight air bags, rear back-up camera, run-flat tires, XM radio, voice-activated nav system, and a 14-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. Few sport sedans can be so devilish and heavenly at the same time.

Each week, another automaker seems to launch a new hybrid, which should bring about lower prices in the long run.

Compacts

Honda Civic
Price: $22,000
Mpg: 49 city/51 highway

Honda Fit
(due in 2007)
Price: $12,000 (est.)
Mpg: 55 city/55 highway (est.)

Honda Insight
Price: $20,000
Mpg: 57 city/56 highway

Hyundai Accent
(due in 2009)
Price: $12,000 (est.)
Mpg: 40 city/51 highway (est.)

Toyota Prius
Price: $22,000
Mpg: 60 city/51 highway

Mid-sized to large sedans

Chevy Malibu (due in 2007)
Price: $20,000 (est.)
Mpg: 26 city/38 highway (est.)

Honda Accord
Price: $31,000
Mpg: 25 city/34 highway

Lexus GS 450ht
Price: $55,000
Mpg: 25 city/28 highway

Lexus LS 600h
(due in 2007)
Price: $90,000 (est.)
Mpg: 21 city/21 highway (est.)

Nissan Altima
(due early 2007)
Price: $29,000 (est.)
Mpg: 43 city/37 highway (est.)

Saturn Aura Green Line
(due late 2006)
Price: $25,000 (est.)
Mpg: 24 city/36 highway (est.)

Toyota Camry
Price: $26,000
Mpg: 43 city/37 highway

Sport-Utility Vehicles

Audi Q7
(due in 2008)
Price: $65,000 (est.)
Mpg: 15 city/22 highway (est.)

Cadillac Escalade
(due in 2007)
Price: $58,000 (est.)
Mpg: 16 city/23 highway (est.)

Chevy Tahoe (due in 2007)
Price: $39,000 (est.)
Mpg: 18 city/24 highway (est.)

Chevy Equinox
(due in fall 2006)
Price: $25,000 (est.)
Mpg: 22 city/29 highway (est.)

Dodge Durango
(due in 2007)
Price: $35,000 (est.)
Mpg: 20 city/24 highway (est.)

Ford Escape
Price: $27,000
Mpg: 34 city/30 highway

GMC ...