This article was taken from the June 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Wired takes five hybrid electric cars for a spin to compare their green credentials
How we tested
We drove each car for 200km, via challenging off-road terrain on Salisbury Plain, to analyse performance and efficiency. Setting off with full tanks and fully charged batteries, we calculated how much of the journey was covered using electricity.
As well as environmental impact, the final scores reflect design, performance and practicality.
Vauxhall Ampera
The Ampera uses only its electric motor for propulsion. The 1.4l petrol engine acts as a generator to recharge the battery. It also comes with a plug, which meant that on a full charge from the mains we could complete 53km of our journey on electricity alone. Without a fuel engine to offer a four-wheel-drive mode, it lacks the power of the other cars, but the electric motor has plenty of torque, making it a pleasure to drive. And while the boy-racer styling is loud, the engine is always whisper quiet.
Wired:
Practical; economical
Tired: <span class="s4">No 4WD
From £34,995
Lexus GS450H Luxury
For a luxury saloon, the Lexus is one of the most fuel-efficient in its class, but in this company it's a relative gas-guzzler. The petrol hybrid system is similar to a Prius's, but it's configured for performance with the combined motors providing hair-raising acceleration in Sport Plus mode. With no plug-in option the battery lasted barely 4km in electric mode. Regenerative charging tops it up -- eventually.
Wired:
Elegant; comfortable; fast
Tired: <span class="s2">No plug-in option; very heavy petrol usage
Cost: £44,995
Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4
Its name refers to the four driving modes. Auto mode is default, using battery and then the diesel engine when it goes flat (after 3km). Combined with the clunky automatic gear changes and the periodic charging that feels like braking, it's difficult to drive this car economically. ZEV (100 per cent electric) is good only for short distances. Sport mode is the least economical.
Wired:
Practical crossover design
Tired: <span class="s2">Sluggish in Auto mode
Cost: £26,995
Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid
This is the only car on test with a plug-in diesel hybrid, hence the price. The big 2.4l engine and heavy batteries bring the total weight to more than 2,000kg, but the bulk is hidden well behind sleek, aerodynamic lines - and its 63kpl figure is no exaggeration. We drove for 53km on a full battery before the diesel kicked in. A half-hour charge in a supermarket car park then topped it up almost completely.
Wired:
Aerodynamic; powerful 4WD
Tired: <span class="s2">Very heavy
Cost: £45,000
Toyota Prius Hybrid Plug-in
The latest Prius has a superior lithium-ion battery that can be plugged into the mains. By fully charging it in just 90 minutes we gained almost 50km of electric motoring. Apply too much accelerator, passing 64kph, and the engine kicks in. The dashboard's slick graphics show battery performance.
Wired:
Spritely
Tired: <span class="s2">Small interior
Score: 7
Cost: £33,242
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
