HYBRID SUV

A hybrid SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) can operate in some different ways. The base model of a hybrid SUV has a petrol or diesel engine that will allow recharging some additional electric batteries. You should not confuse a hybrid SUV with an electric vehicle that requires a (special) power outlet to recharge its batteries. The big difference of a hybrid SUV with a classic auto is an electronic system that will use the gasoline or diesel propulsion when needed and at other times use the electrical energy stored in batteries. These batteries are recharged in general using the energy of your engine as well as the energy released when using your breaks and when starting your vehicle. A hybrid SUV is not necessarily a vehicle that uses little fuel. This will depend greatly on the manufacturer, the model of vehicle and your driving style. For example, when you drive into town or if you are stopped at a red light a hybrid SUV does not need to use the maximum power and run solely on battery power (if the model allows).
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So a hybrid SUV can allow you to save fuel but it will depend largely on your driving style and the use of your vehicle. If you are forced to make many trips on the highway, your car will only use the powered heat engine (gasoline or diesel) and your consumption will be almost identical to a conventional car. Indeed it must be remembered that the purchase price of a hybrid SUV is still much higher than similar conventional vehicle. Of course the prices of hybrid SUV will vary depending on model and options that you add.

Typically hybrids SUVs are relatively robust (at least as much as a conventional vehicle) with the latest advancements in technology and in security. Most hybrid SUVs have either better grades or a note identical to conventional vehicles for crash tests conducted by insurance companies or car manufacturers. The robustness of your hybrid SUV will allow you to perform round the counter several times without any problems and with minimum maintenance. It will only take into account that the batteries used to operate the electric motor have a lifespan of about five to six years. If you ever buy a used hybrid SUV (even new ones) you should take into account the cost of replacing the batteries (which can be relatively high depending on the model of your auto).
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A hybrid SUV is an automobile that require two or more sources of energy to operate. The main reason of the growing popularity of hybrid SUV is of course the economy of fuel consumption but also in the reduction of exhaust emissions. It is generally considered those hybrids SUVs are environmentally friendly vehicles which are helping greatly to reduce the emission of toxic gases (especially during city driving). Indeed the energy transmitted by the electric motor is considered to be non-polluting and does not emit toxic gas. This is one of the reasons that United States under the presidency of George Bush has been established since 2006 many tax benefits for owners of hybrid autos. It was planned that about 20% of each of the major cities of the United States should have a sizeable fleet of hybrid cars in 2015. So much has been made to impose this type of car to reduce the emission level of carbon dioxide in major U.S. cities. Europe has followed closely the United States where many countries such as France which now offers an environmental bonus of € 2,000 for the purchase of a new hybrid vehicle.

Although the initial cost of a hybrid SUV is relatively high, the costs of maintenances tend to be relatively less important than those of conventional vehicles. Remember that, more fuel you use and more taxes you will pay! And on top you can benefit of the various tax benefits that most of the world's governments are willing to sacrifice to reduce environmental pollution. It is true that in Europe the hybrid SUV market has not yet reached the level of the United States and there are still few models available. Now, we will review the best models of hybrid SUV available on the American market at the moment (both new and second hand) to help you making the right choice.

BMW X 6 Active Hybrid SUV

BMW like Mercedes has also attacked the hybrid market with luxury models especially with the 7 Series and the X6 Active Hybrid. You can also enjoy the flexibility and comfort of driving a BMW with the X6 Active Hybrid, which offers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions well below similar models using only fuel. The series BMW X6 Active has no less than two electric motors which do not prevent him from keeping higher performance with acceleration from 0 to 100 km in 5.6 seconds.

Unlike the model of Mercedes, the X6 Active Hybrid of BMW allows you to drive in electric mode without using the petrol engine (which becomes very useful if you travel often in the city). With a relatively high base price of about 90 000 $ (over 30 000 $ additional to a conventional model) it is interesting to do some research on second-hand market (especially as rumors come along concerning the cessation of production of the model X6 active hybrid in early 2012).

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid SUV

Chevrolet offers a large hybrid SUV able to compete with conventional cars in terms of fuel consumption: There is 25% fuel savings for the Chevrolet Tahoe 4x4 with V8 engine when it is equipped with the hybrid permanent and asset management system fuel.
The technology of Active Fuel Management is already known and used on different models. It will turn off four of the eight-cylinder engine power when demand warrants. This has the effect of reducing consumption and emissions. This system combine’s active management with a hybrid permanent dual-mode approach which is currently one of the most effective in terms of energy savings.

The two-mode hybrid system developed in the Tahoe Hybrid aims to optimize the consumption both on the highway and in town. The first mode is designed to travel in urban areas. It allows the vehicle to operate in three ways: with only the electric motor, the gasoline engine alone or with any combination of the two types of propulsion. The maximum benefit of fuel economy comes from the electric motor when driving in town.

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

The 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid is more or less identical to the conventional ford escape SUV. The power of the Ford hybrid 2012 includes an Atkinson 4-cylinder engine with a consumption of 6.5 liters/100 and an electric motor. At low speeds, the vehicle can operate using only the electric motor. Ford says the Escape Hybrid can run up to 70 km / h with only electricity. When combined, the 4-cylinder engine with electric motor it delivers acceleration similar to a V6.The Escape Hybrid can also let five people with a comfortable seat, a flexible cargo space and a range of standard and optional equipment, including an intelligent four-wheel drive for enhanced traction.

2012 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid SUV

Despite a sharper competition, Toyota continues to have a real advance in terms of hybridization. Lexus, the premium sector of the Japanese group, confirms this supremacy with the RX 450h which is designed to embody the flagship of SUVs.

Like its predecessor, the RX 450h allows a 100% electric haulage via the function EV, one of three new driving modes selected. It delivers clean energy, during a trip estimated of 4 km.
More than ever, this new generation of Lexus RX will bring eco-driving to a new level. Not surprisingly, its rates are also nothing trivial. Be ready to spend 42 700 $ for a President Pack RX 450h, which is about the claim of luxury SUVs.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

If the Toyota RAV4 is still a very popular choice among buyers of compact SUVs, it must be said that the Highlander is much less present in the minds of those shopping for a midsize SUV. Yet this is a vehicle that is on the road since 2001 and offers many interesting features. Moreover, a hybrid version is in the catalog since 2005 while the Highlander became the first seven-passenger vehicle to be offered with a gasoline-electric engine.

This is probably the price around 37 000 $ of the Highlander that stop buyers looking for a compact SUV. Without fanfare, the 2012 Highlander continues to be a good SUV. You can appreciate his qualities and its smooth driving. One wonders, however, if you can easily return the additional expenses required for the hybrid version, especially if the vehicle does not run often in urban or congestion area, where the Toyota hybrid system derives all its benefits.

The hybrid SUV market has a bright future especially with the almost constant increase in oil prices and the demand for more and more of environmentally friendly vehicles. Indeed, the main source of energy for these vehicles is electricity, not oil. Thus most of the major manufacturers have marketed the hybrid SUV by providing better annual performance and using a really sophisticated technology. Buying a hybrid SUV will be quite interesting if you use your auto mainly in urban areas.