Hybrid Car Review

Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) has launched a new green-cars site. And as part of the launch, they put together the top 10 Green Cars for 2008.

But the list doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Despite putting the most fuel efficient car (the Prius) at the top, KBB has 5 other hybrids on the list. But I can't imagine why the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid with a fuel economy of 21 mpg (combined) would make the list.  It's not even close to hitting the most fuel efficient vehicles for 2008.

KBB puts it this way:

Owners of full-size SUVs are suffering more than most at the pump, and many are trading the excess capacity for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. But what of the large, active families that really do need all the size and towing ability of a large SUV? Now there’s a hybrid for them, too. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid can be equipped with seating for eight, four-wheel drive and can tow over 8,000 pounds – all while seamlessly transitioning between gasoline and electric power and delivering 50-percent better city mileage than its gasoline-only counterpart.

I would understand why if you were to break the cars down into their types, then talk about the green cars in the monster SUV category. But otherwise...

The Top 10 Green Cars in 2008 According to KBB are:

1. 2008 Toyota Prius | 46 mpg (48 city, 45 highway)
2. 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid | 42 mpg (40 city, 45 highway)
3. 2008 smart fortwo | 36 mpg (33 city, 41 highway)
4. 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid | 34 mpg (35 city, 33 highway)
5. 2008 MINI Cooper | 32 mpg (28 city, 37 highway)
6. 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid | 32 mpg (34 city, 30 highway)
7. 2008 Honda Fit | 31 mpg (28 city, 34 highway)
8. 2008 Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC | 26 mpg (23 city/32 hwy)
9. 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 26 mpg (27 city, 25 highway)
10. 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid | 21 mpg (21 city, 22 highway)