The Nissan Versa debuted in 2007, joining the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, as a leader in the growing subcompact class....
(06/13/08) The Nissan Versa debuted in 2007, joining the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, as a leader in the growing subcompact class. This small car, like all others in its segment, emerged out of the need for reliable, fuel-efficient commuter vehicles. For 2008, it continues to live up to its name (Versa for versatility) with only a few minor equipment revisions. Offered in two body styles, a sporty 5-door hatchback and a 4-door sedan, the Versa’s build quality is generally considered just a notch below that of the Fit and Yaris, but it is superior to all the rest of the subcompacts on the market. It is also the largest and most powerful entry-level city car of any. Due to its size, it offers more interior room and the greatest ride comfort in this segment. Its substantial presence is a cross between a compact and a crossover. The Versa’s 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine produces a class-leading 122 horsepower, dwarfing the Fit and Yaris, which are both powered by smaller 1.5-liter engines. The Versa’s...See less
$12,880 available at hybridcars.com
Just like its biggest competitor, the Honda Fit, this is the second year for the Toyota Yaris to be sold in the U.S....
(06/13/08) Just like its biggest competitor, the Honda Fit, this is the second year for the Toyota Yaris to be sold in the U.S. Introduced in Europe in 1999, it finally appeared on American soil for the same reason so many other fuel-sipping subcompacts did: The rising cost at the gas pumps. The Yaris entered the Toyota line-up in March of 2006 as a replacement for the insipid Echo. Offered as both a liftback model and a sedan, the Yaris is generally considered the leader of the subcompact triumvirate, which includes the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa. The Yaris has an immediate advantage over many other brands, simply for the reason that it offers two separate variants (unlike the Fit). And visually, what sets the Yaris apart, is its deliberate urban persona. Originally designed for the tight metro centers of Europe and Asia, the Yaris is highly citified. Carried over from last year’s model, the 2008 version of this entry-level car still offers energetic styling, a finely-finished interior, and...See less
$11,550 available at hybridcars.com
As soon as the second-generation Prius arrived on the scene in 2003, the Civic Hybrid was cast in its role as runner-up...
(06/13/08) As soon as the second-generation Prius arrived on the scene in 2003, the Civic Hybrid was cast in its role as runner-up in the hybrid world. It’s true that the Civic Hybrid is not quite as fuel-efficient, not quite as comfortable and roomy, and not quite as powerful as the Prius. But the gas-electric Civic, like Rodney Dangerfield, deserves more respect than it receives. In fact, it’s the Civic Hybrid’s un-hybrid-like looks and sticker price that makes it such a compelling proposition. Prius buyers usually spend at least a couple thousand more dollars to buy Toyota’s celebrity hybrid than those who drive off with a Civic. And yet the Civic’s 40-mpg in the city and 45-mpg on the highway, places it right next to the Prius as the only two vehicles with average fuel economy in the 40s. Perhaps more importantly, the Civic Hybrid looks like a cool car, not a cutesy electronic device. Auto critics have heaped praise on the Civic's design, calling it "gorgeous" and "head-turning." The Civic...See less
$22,600 available at hybridcars.com
The Toyota Prius has sold more than all other hybrids combined—and for good reason. Since the debut of the second...
(06/13/08) The Toyota Prius has sold more than all other hybrids combined—and for good reason. Since the debut of the second generation Prius in 2003 (as a 2004 model), the midsize hatchback sedan has racked up award after award. Years later, the Prius continues to be a red-hot seller. The Prius inspires a cult-like devotion from its drivers. Satisfaction rates, consistently at 98 percent, are unparalleled. Prius owners are already looking 20 years ahead, when they can claim with great pride, "Yes. I drove one of the first Priuses." The Prius drives like a charm, humming along silently in all-electric mode at low speeds and revving up its 110 combined gas-electric horsepower for a respectable 0-to-60 rate of 10.2 seconds. Its stability control system makes it very safe. And the Prius has loads of bells and whistles, from keyless entry, a high-tech fuel use dash display, and a rear-view camera system to help you squeeze into a tight parking spot. When Toyota released the second generation Prius in...See less
$21,500 available at hybridcars.com
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