They're three of the 10 best-selling cars in America, and now the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry are available with engines powered by both electricity and gasoline. But not all hybrids are created equal. We found big differences in power trains and options when we took them for a spin.
Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan entered the hybrid game late, biding its time to see whether the market would take off. Its first model was worth the wait. Much of its hybrid engine technology is licensed from Toyota, but the Altima blows away the Camry with excellent mileage (35 mpg) and a beautifully finished interior that would suit a much pricier car. The budget conscious could opt for the base model at $24,400—a killer value—but they'd miss out on all the geeky extras, such as a terrific navigation system, a Bose stereo, and a backup camera.
$32,365, www.nissanusa.com
Honda Accord Hybrid
When you get behind the Honda's wheel and really stomp on the gas, you're in for a pleasant surprise. This hybrid packs much more power than you'd expect (a 253-horsepower engine system) into a fairly conventional package. The downside is that you won't see the sort of fuel savings that other hybrids offer — the electric engine is used primarily to boost power, not save gas. The Accord is rated at 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway, but we didn't do any better than 25 mpg.
$33,090, www.automobiles.honda.com
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Ah, the Camry. So solid. So reliable. So dull. It's not that the Camry's a bad car—far from it. But there's absolutely nothing here that quickens the pulse. The interior? Fine, but with no bells or whistles. The performance? Capable, with Toyota's proven Hybrid Synergy Drive. But the Camry underperformed its 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway rating, getting 30 mpg in our tests, and each time the gas engine kicked on or off, we noticed a lurch. Sure, it's a decent value. But you'll find yourself looking wistfully at other drivers having more fun.
$27,727, www.toyota.com
How We Tested
Mileage We drove hundreds of city and highway miles to test fuel consumption.
Ride Quality We looked for a balance of handling and comfort.
Extras We evaluated GPS navigation, stereos, and interior fit and finish.
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