Hybrid Price Wars – Five Manufacturers with the Best Listed Hybrid Car Prices
When hybrid cars first became a household name, they were also identified as too expensive and outlandish to even be plausible to purchase. Even for the most futuristic minded and environmentally friendly types, most agreed that they would wait until they hybrid cars were mainstreamed. Some people were worried about the kinks that engineers were still trying to work out. No one wanted to be the guinea pig. Others felt that the money they would save in gas would not help them with the up-front costs, warranty questions, and possible battery issues, which were much more risky than in the average car. Luckily, some brave, financially secure people were willing to start the market rolling. Several years later, the demand is high enough to even produce some healthy price wars among makers.
Despite the stereotype that hybrids are a luxury vehicle, prices have gone down considerably. The 2005 Toyota Prius, for example has a base price of $21,275, which includes the eerie halogen headlights, High Solar Energy-Absorbing glass, and integrated fog lamps. These standard options are not the norm for most typical, non-hybrid, 4-door vehicles, so it already sounds like Toyota is creating an irresistible package for their hybrid. Honda’s Civic hybrid is also competitively starting at $21,850 for this energy efficient version of their famous sedan. Their standard package includes MP3 capabilities built-in, cruise control, and speed-sensitive volume control, not to mention their patented iVTEC engine technology. Honda has also created the insight, which also starts in the $21,000 range. Ford has also begun its hybrid campaign, which will hopefully combat the general idea that they are the king of American gas-guzzling vehicles.
In fact, only Lexus bypasses Toyota and Honda in price range. The Lexus hybrid is going to start you in the $49,500 department, but even that sounds good if you consider that their GS starts for just a couple thousand less than that. This is nothing shocking, though. Lexus has always been the luxury maker, and everyone knows that you are going to spend at least double for a sedan or SUV when you buy from them. Since other makers in their range have not started pushing their own hybrids yet, Lexus can only compete with itself.
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