Not All Hybrids Are Created Equal

The "hybrid" badges found on an increasing number of vehicles carry a lovely green aura, but some are a lot greener than others, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.

"There may be a misconception that all hybrids are created equal," said Don Anair, a senior analyst with the organization.

Anair adds that automakers have a lot of flexibility in how to apply hybrid technology, including how much money they want to spend. Some hybrids also are much more expensive than others because the automakers load them with equipment that would otherwise be options, Anair said.

That's why the nonprofit group came up with a "hybrid scorecard" to help consumers gauge hybrids based on fuel efficiency and value at hybridcenter.org/hybrid-scorecard.

The Web site ranks the vehicles in three categories: Environmental score, value and forced features.

Environmental score

To measure environmental impact the group looked at two factors: global warming based on fuel economy and emissions.

To determine this, it compares the hybrid with its closest non-hybrid model. For example, the Ford Escape Hybrid is compared to the standard Escape. Where there is no direct counterpart, such as the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight, "we choose a model in the manufacturer's vehicle lineup that most closely matched the hybrid in vehicle class, size and acceleration," said Anair. "For the Prius, we chose the Toyota Matrix; for the Insight, we chose the Honda Fit; and for the Lexus HS250h, we chose the IS250."

The top model for environmental score was the Prius.

"Going from a conventional Toyota Matrix to a Prius reduces global warming emissions 44 percent. That's like trading in a Hummer H3 for a Mini Cooper," the study says.

Also ranking high was the Lexus HS250h and RX450h, an all-wheel-drive sport-utility.

Anair says the SUV's performance was something of a surprise but shows the versatility of a well-designed hybrid system.

"I think the finding was that hybrid technology can be implemented in any type of vehicle and done in a way that maximizes fuel economy," he said.

At the bottom of the list of 31 vehicles were the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and the Saturn Aura Hybrid.

The Web site says "going from a Saturn Aura to an Aura Hybrid only reduces emissions 10 percent, the equivalent of trading in the Hummer H3 for a 3.7-liter Jeep Grand Cherokee."

Value

Hybrid value balances the fuel-economy improvement against the increased cost for the hybrid technology.

For example, "the hybrid system in the Lexus GS450h is $2,130 and reduces global warming pollution by 13 percent over a conventional model, giving it a hybrid value rating of ‘medium,' " the Web site says. "The hybrid system in the Civic Hybrid costs $3,983, but achieves a 31 percent reduction in global warming pollution, giving it a ‘high' hybrid value rating."

The HS250h and Prius and Mercedes S400 tied at the top with a "very high" rating.

The Mercury Milan Hybrid is ranked as "medium" value while its Fusion sibling gets a "high" ranking because Milan costs more — some $3,300 more according to the Mercury Web site.

A Ford spokesman insisted the Milan Hybrid only costs about $200 more than a Fusion Hybrid. However, the Mercury internet site shows the Milan Hybrid is not available without an option package that makes it about $3,300 more than the least expensive Fusion Hybrid.

Forced features

"Forced features" are basically the extra Equipment put on a hybrid.

"These are standard features on the hybrid that are otherwise optional on the conventional vehicle. On average they inflate the cost of these vehicles about $3,000," said Anair.

The best performers were the Honda Insight and Saturn Vue, which are available without any forced options.

The worst were the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrids and the Lexus LS600h L.

A General Motors spokesman said the automaker is equipping the hybrids with the packages history shows customers are likely to buy on those vehicles.

A Lexus spokeswoman points out that the automaker sees the hybrid as the brand's flagship and equips it as such.

While the automakers may dispute some of the conclusions the site is a good thing for consumers trying to figure out which kind of hybrid is best for them, said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign.

-CHICAGO TRIBUNE

"With over two dozen hybrids to choose from, it will help" differentiate them, he said.