Roughly 100 vehicles are making their world premieres at this show, which is a record in itself. They range from outlandish concept vehicles to unconventional and totally unexpected combinations of brand and drive train. HY-KERS! There is even a ”hybrid Ferrari” that gets nearly 15 mpg (here).

Amid all the car models and super models, one vehicle that caught our eye in making its debut at the 2010 show was the Lexus CT 200h. As you can see from the picture (above, right), this hybrid combines element from the small sport utility crosssover and hatchback segments. No, it is not just a fancy station wagon. Lexus prefers to call it the first and only premium compact hybrid (not to be confused with their HS 250h which Lexus points out is the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid).

You might recall the LF-CH concept vehicle (left) that Lexus first showed off only six months ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show (autoblog). Well, the CT 200h is what became of that initial unveiling - and a year from now, you could be driving one. How’s that for moving quickly?

Under its hood, the hybrid CT200h will stow a 1.8 liter in-line 4 alongside a high-output electric motor. Total horsepower will be around 134 with four driving modes to choose from (EV, ECO, Normal, and Sport). It sounds promising that the 200h will find its way to the United States as well, but at what cost you might ask? While no price has been released by Toyota officials, rumors have it coming in somewhere between $27,000 and $32,000. Based on its size, we can also expect that Prius like economy nearing 50 MPG wouldn’t be a stretch - unless you’re stuck in Sport mode.

More Resources:

Lexus CT 200h Premium Compact Hybrid press release here.
USA Today CT200h article from Geneva Motor Show includes photo gallery.
egmCarTech - CT 200h high resolution images.

In that respect, the Yukon and the Tahoe are quite different.  The Yukon favors a more understated, slick look when compared to the extroverted Tahoe, and this puts it on the list of buyers who are more interested in blending in with the crowd.  The Yukon Hybrid has plenty to offer on the inside as well, with a long list of standard equipment that dwarfs that of the Tahoe.  Features such as a rearview camera, three zones of climate control, power leather seats and a navigation system are all included within the vehicle’s fairly hefty base price.  In fact, there are very few optional items that can be added to the Yukon’s pile of creature comforts:  only a sunroof and a DVD player for rear-seat occupants can be selected.  Three rows of seating can accommodate up to 7 passengers, and interior room is excellent when compared against a minivan or crossover.

The Yukon’s two-mode hybrid system, like that in the Tahoe (and the Sierra / Silverado) consists of a hearty 6.0 liter V8 engine that incorporates two electric motors mounted in its electronically-variable automatic transmission to provide 379 peak horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque.  All of this prodigious power is achieved alongside excellent fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon during highway cruising.    Particularly noteworthy is the city mileage, notoriously the weakest part of a full-size vehicle’s efficiency rating.  Yukon Hybrids outfitted with four-wheel drive see their mileage drop to 20 miles per gallon for both city and highway measures, which is still not bad considering the extra utility provided by the additional traction.  The 2010 GMC Yukon Hybrid is also a capable tow vehicle, with its 6,000 lbs of trailer capacity more than enough to lug along a camper or boat.

If you are planning to purchase one of these new green Yukons, bring your checkbook (and your banker). The MSRP starts at more than $51,000, unless you opt for the more fancy Denali version which will set you back at least $58,500. These are BIG SUVs, but because both of these models cost thousands more than their non-hybrid counterparts, they aren’t big sellers. Last year less than 2,000 Yukon hybrids left dealer lots.

Official website

Read about John Voelcker’s test drive and full review here.

Related Articles: See photos and read Hybrid SUV’s 2009 GMC Tahoe hybrid review.

Although there wasn’t any additional new information offered in the interview, it is interesting to look at some of the most probable options that Honda might be considering.

For starters, you might recall that Honda Motors once offered a hybrid system in their popular Accord model. The 2005-2007 Accord hybrid was quickly discontinued mainly because it was more about hybrid power than improved fuel-economy. To date, the Accord was the largest hybrid vehicle offered by Honda. In addition, they still make the Civic hybrid and they are on their second version of the Insight hybrid.  Also coming soon Honda plans to build a Fit hybrid and a sporty new CR-Z hybrid. What all of these hybrids have in common is their relatively small size, but that may soon change.

In 2007, the most popular hybrid SUV search that included a specific manufacturer was for a Honda, even though no models were planned. We saw similar search data just a year ago with many people looking for news of a hybrid Honda Pilot, CR-V, or Element. Maybe Honda was listening?

When you look at Honda’s current vehicle lineup, some of the other vehicles not yet mentioned above include:

• Honda Accord Crosstour (a hybrid Crosstour could create the perfect combination of green car and SUV)
• Honda Odyssey (no company currenty offers a hybrid minivan in the U.S., so this would be really big news)
• Honda Ridgeline (remember all the buzz about Toyota’s concept hybrid truck called the A-BAT. It is on hold, so now might be the perfect time for Honda to offer a hybrid Ridgeline)
• Honda Green (while this one isn’t really part of Honda’s current lineup, we think it would be a perfect new addition)

Three years seems like a long time, but maybe it will be less and if not - it’s no time at all in auto years. We will keep you posted as more news comes available!

In July of 2008, oil futures hit their record high of more than $145 per barrel and several areas of the country neared $5/gal. prices at the pump. Since then we’ve seen the price dip below $34/barrel (12/08) and most recently it has traded in the $70 to $80 range. During these huge fluctuations, sales of hybrid cars have closely mirrored what we pay to fill our gas tanks.

Low gas prices encourage less fuel efficient vehicles.

In a 2009 CNNMoney.com interview, AutoNation CEO, Mike Jackson voiced his opinion that gasoline is too cheap and that the United States government should consider a gas tax to make sure the price does not fall below roughly $3.50 to $4 per gallon. While many others agreed (including executives at several auto makers) it is unlikely that higher taxes would be a popular approach to reducing our dependence on oil.

Are new CAFE standards the answer?

In a recent Wall Street Journal article Bob Lutz (General Motors Vice Chairman) stated that GM will continue to build hybrids due to more stringent federal fuel economy standards even though the company most likely will always lose money on hybrids. Lutz also predicted that hybrids will never comprise more than 10% of the U.S. car market.

Bob may be right, especially if the cost of gas remains low. Last year the best selling hybrid in the U.S. was the Toyota Prius with about 140,000 vehicles sold. Not bad, but that put the Prius in 16th place. The Ford F-Series pick-up was #1 selling vehicle (413,000 sales) and two other trucks cracked the top ten.

In Japan, the Prius was the #1 selling vehicle last year.

The difference? Government sponsored tax breaks and incentives combined with much more expensive gasoline (over $5 per gallon in US dollars). A similar trend unfolded all across Europe with fuel sipping cars like the Volkswagen Golf (570,000) and Ford Fiesta (472,000) outselling all others. A litre of petrol in many European countries is currently the equivalent of $7 per gallon gas (U.S). If gas ever reaches those levels here, you can bet that hybrid cars, phevs and electric vehicles will be hard to find.

World Gas Prices By Country (converted to U.S. dollars per gallon)

Data from wikipedia and gas buddy

If you live outside of the U.S, how much do you pay for gas/petrol?

Unsurprisingly, the ‘10 Cadillac Escalade hybrid doesn’t alter the excellent two-mode hybrid game plan that GM has rolled out across their full-size SUV lineup.  The vehicle’s 6.0 liter V8 engine enlists the aid of two 60-watt electric generators to offer up a combined 379 total horsepower and 367 lb-ft of torque.  Rear or four-wheel drive can be specified when the vehicle is ordered, and an electronically-variable automatic transmission simulates a four-speed auto with a fair amount of accuracy.  The goal of the gearbox is to provide variable gear ratios during regular driving and default to more defined ratios when demand increases during towing or hauling.

The Escalade’s fuel mileage rating of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the highway (2wd version) is a phenomenal improvement over the standard edition’s 12 miles per gallon city rating.  On the highway, the Escalade is also capable of shutting down up to 4 cylinders and cruising along with a concomitant reduction in fuel usage.  Given that there are no other full-size hybrid luxury SUV’s being produced in North America, the fact that Cadillac has made such an effort to increase the Escalade’s efficiency is laudable. 

In addition to the novelty of cruising at speeds approaching 25 miles per hour on battery-power alone, the truck features a number of other luxury offerings sure to please the crowd that purchases vehicles within its lofty price range.  Three zones of climate control, heated and cooled front leather seats, a rearview camera that combines with a parking assist feature and of course an entertainment system for rear seat passengers are all in the cards.

For those who want to take green luxury to an all new level, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Platinum model raises the bar even higher. Heated steering, heated and cooled cup holders, push button retractable running boards and built-in headrest video monitors are just a few of the extras you get for going platinum.

For those who can afford to buy or lease an Escalade, shelling out an extra $6,000 for the hybrid version most likely isn’t an issue. That said, you could instead drive a slightly smaller luxury hybrid SUV in the 2010 Lexus RX 450h and put your $30,000 savings toward something that hopefully won’t depreciate quite so fast - like retirement!

Official website is here 
New Hybrid Escalade review from Edmunds.com

The 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid’s fuel mileage is broken down by the EPA into 34 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway (front-wheel drive models only – all-wheel drive detracts somewhat from these numbers).  Responsible for these impressive numbers – significantly higher than the ones provided by gasoline-powered competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V – is a 2.5 liter, 4-cylinder engine that is bolstered by a pair of battery-powered electric motors (3 in total for all-wheel drive models).  Together they produce a very usable 177 horsepower that works well to keep the SUV moving forward with considerable authority.  Seamless shifts from its continuously-variable automatic transmission and effortless management of the balance between battery use and gasoline power make it difficult to tell from behind the wheel whether the Mariner is a Hybrid model or not – at least until it comes time to pay the monthly fuel bill, when the differences are thrown into stark relief.

The new Mariner Hybrid benefits from the same gee-whiz technologies packed into the Escape, not the least of which is an optional automated parallel parking system that amazingly pilots the vehicle into an acceptably-sized parking spot almost at the touch of a button.  Regenerative braking and a feature that shuts the gasoline engine down when stopped help to improve fuel savings to an even greater degree, and the 2010 Mariner Hybrid finally benefits from electric air conditioning that doesn’t power off when the 4-cylinder stops purring as it did in previous models.

Final thoughts: From a safety standpoint, the green Mariner gets high marks. It scored five stars (out of 5) for all occupants in front and side impact crash tests from NHTSA. Unlike the nearly identical 2010 Escape hybrid, the Mariner is much more elusive. Chances are you will need check with several dealers just to find one on the lot, as not as many are made. If you like the styling, you can always order one to your exact specifications. Federal tax credits expire soon on the Mariner hybrid. According to FuelEconomy.gov the current credit is $650 to $750 and it will be gone as of April 1, 2010.

2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
MSRP $29,995
Estimated MPG 34 City/30 Highway

Review from Edmunds
Road Test from Automedia
Test drive with video from Autoblog (2009 model)

Last year, the 2009 Highlander Hybrid was the 3rd best selling green SUV trailing only the Ford Escape hybrid and Lexus Rx hybrid (Toyota Motor Corporation’s luxury model). Winning the bronze is respectable but the hybrid Highlander was the top-selling hybrid SUV in 2008 (the first year it was totally redesigned to compete with larger hybrids) while sales were down nearly 43% in ‘09. Now the marketing department is looking for a way to steady the ship and win back the silver or gold.

The ‘10 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is unchanged from last year, still available in two trim levels (Base and Limited). Both feature a 3.3 liter V6 that generates 208 horsepower and 212 lb-ft of torque. The addition of two electric motors running through a continuously-variable electronic transmission sends a total system power of 270 horses to all four wheels . The resulting fuel mileage – 27 miles per gallon around town and 25 miles per gallon on the highway – is excellent considering the extra grip, weight and complexity offered by an all-wheel drive vehicle. The rear wheels are meant to remain idle until a low traction situation is encountered, whereupon they spring into life and offer as much as 25 percent of the hybrid system’s output to help plow ahead. AWD is the only option for these hybrids (no 2WD version). The SUV’s acceleration matches that of its gasoline-powered stable mate, and it can even be driven up to 2 miles solely on battery power, as long as speeds are kept under 25 miles per hour.

The Highland Hybrid offers up to 3 rows of seating, providing space for as many as 7 passengers or as much as 94.1 cubic feet of luggage, soccer balls, Home Depot purchases or groceries. Keyless entry, a backup camera and a nice LCD display on the dash that helps to control vehicle functions are standard. Leather seats, folding outside mirrors, dual climate controls and a cargo cover can be ordered as options. The Highlander Hybrid’s tall seating position provides a commanding view of the road and helps make drivers feel secure behind the wheel. Overall, the vehicle’s plus-size dimensions are manageable enough that the Highland makes an excellent minivan replacement for anyone interested in big power and capability without the typical fuel costs.

MSRP:  $34,900 (base) and $41,200 (limited). With options and destination fees, pricing can exceed $46,000. 

Additional Reviews of the 2010 Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV:

Edmunds

As many car makers have told us in the past, one difficulty in bringing new vehicles to market is in trying to figure out what consumers will want to buy in the next 2-3 years. Judging from some of the new entries we’re seeing this year, it appears their best guess is that smaller, more practical, high tech cars are the near future. Granted, much of this is driven by increasing CAFE standards for fleet average fuel economy which will reach 35.5 miles per gallon in 2016. But even with gas prices now at their highest level in 15 months, are smaller more fuel efficient cars what people really want?

According to recent statistics from NADAguides.com, none of the five most researched vehicles last year were small or exceptionally fuel efficient (in part because gas prices were lower for much of the year). According to NADA the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, 2009 Lexus ES 350, 2009 Nissan Altima, 2009 Honda Accord, and 2010 Lexus RX 350 were what people were looking for the most.

While no hybrids or hybrid sport utility vehicles made the NADA list, it got me thinking that our readers might be interested in learning about the most researched hybrid SUVs during 2009. Based on searches and page views from HybridSUV.com, the 2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid was the most researched vehicle on our site, followed very closely by the  2009 Ford Escape hybrid and the Mazda Tribute hybrid. Rounding out the list were the Saturn Vue hybrid and the Mercury Mariner hybrid.

Several auto-related websites will be releasing their year-end data this month, including Kelley Blue Book. Their recent press release showed just one “hybrid only vehicle” in the top 10 (the 2009 Prius was #8). In order, the KBB.com top 20 were the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Honda CR-V, Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Prius, Nissan Altima, Honda Pilot, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Camaro, Honda Odyssey, Ford Fusion, Mazda3, Ford Mustang, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Sienna, Lexus RX 350, and the Chevrolet Equinox.

The Escape Hybrid combines two electric motors generating 94 horsepower with a 2.5 liter, 153 horsepower gasoline engine that form a system with a total output of 177 ponies.  Buyers who opt for all-wheel drive (4×4) will see a third electric motor installed in their vehicle which is designed to step in and offer extra grunt for the rear wheels should traction conditions demand their intervention.  A continuously-variable transmission handles the gear shifting duties, and thanks to excellent system management the Escape Hybrid is about as fast as a regular version of the same truck.  The Hybrid’s fuel mileage is rated at 34 miles per gallon in the city and 31 miles per gallon on the highway for front-wheel drive models, with all-wheel drive lopping off 4 miles per gallon from each measure.

The 2010 model has seen a number of upgrades over the previous model, both in terms of cosmetics and features.  Technological options such as a rearview camera and a special system that allows for increased parental control over vehicle speeds will grab the attention of most buyers, but the vehicle’s automatic parallel-parking feature is also impressive in terms of how it handles a task a fair number of drivers find challenging at best.

All versions of the Escape Hybrid come nicely equipped with automatic climate controls, cruise control and power windows, door locks and mirrors.  The Hybrid Limited trim boasts a sunroof, heated leather seats and upgraded interior accents, while navigation is available as an option across the entire line.  The vehicle’s cargo area is barely smaller than the conventionally-powered Escape, with 66 cubic feet of total storage space available once the rear seats are out of the picture.

Was this information helpful? See similar reviews of all 2009 and 2010 hybrid vehicles by ordering the Hybrid Guide.

2010 Ford Escape Hybrid Review:

The Weekly Driver
Auto Media

The Saturn and Pontiac fire sale isn’t exclusive to hybrids or SUVs, but for a large number of our readers - that’s where your interest lies (try here for information on the hybrid Saturn Aura). You might recall that the 2009 Saturn Vue was supposed to be equipped with the well publicized two-mode hybrid system, similar to what you currently find in the hybrid Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade and other hybrids from BMW and Mercedes Benz. That all changed when GM restructured to focus on only four major brands, Saturn no longer being one of them.

The mild hybrid Vue (formally known as the Green Line) is a front wheel drive model with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine. It is rated at 25 mpg (city) and 32 mpg (highway) which is about 25% better than the non-hybrid Vue. In case you are wondering, the hybrid version is not available in AWD.

Technically speaking the $7,000 discount buys you a used SUV rather than a new one, since dealers have to buy these vehicles from GM and then move them to service or rental fleet status. Even so, if you can find one (they won’t last long) it is like getting the hybrid technology for free, and then some. I stopped by SaturnOfDesMoines.com yesterday afternoon and they had only 5 hybrid Vue’s on the lot. Sticker price averaged around $30,000 but with the discount you’d pay closer to $23,000.

Obviously there are risks when you buy any vehicle (or brand) that won’t be around much longer, although you won’t likely hear that from GM or your dealer. In either case, if you are planning to take advantage of this hybrid SUV sale you need to move quickly. I’m guessing in a few days there won’t be any left, especially if General Motors extends this $7,000 incentive beyond 01/04/10.