Top 2009 Hybrid Vehicles

2009 is a great time to buy a hybrid with good deals on new cars and a new Presidential attitude towards greening America’s highways. For 2009, domestic and foreign car makers are now selling about 20 different hybrid vehicles. Unfortunately, only six of these models are eligible for tax credits.

So, if you are seeking to buy a brand new hybrid model, what do you choose? See the list below and some driving impressions of 2009 hybrid vehicles:

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid: Called the “world’s first luxury SUV hybrid” by ailing GM, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid delivers with GM’s two-mode V8 engine with the Escalade’s pimped out exterior and interior. I drove this SUV beauty last fall in Arizona at a GM drive event and I really couldn’t tell much of a difference between the all-gas and two-mode hybrid models. Kudos GM!

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: Another great GM car is the 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid. This good-looking sedan (both inside and out) is the most quiet hybrid car I’ve ever driven with its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Plus, the 2009 Chevy Malibu Hybrid is the nation’s least expensive hybrid to buy. Love the new Chevy Malibu!

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, 2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid, 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid: All of these GM truck and SUV models were built on basically the same 6.0-liter V8 platform. I have road tested all of these models and I’ve found them to perform just as brilliantly (and super quiet!) as their gas engine counterparts.

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid: Ford’s mid-sized Escape Hybrid SUV is a good choice for an American-made utility or family vehicle with its sporty 2.5-liter inline four engine. Other good news is the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD is eligible for a $3,000 tax credit while the 4WD model has a $1,950 credit.

2009 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Ford competes against the popular Toyota Camry Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid with its 2.5 liter, four-cylinder mid-sized sedan. The hybrid engine in this made-in-America car is top notch as is the newly-designed exterior and interior.

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid: Honda always builds zippy cars with lots of function, minimalist design and good technology. So, its newly-designed 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is a winner, especially as the Honda Civic can be bought with lots of cool options and amenities.

2009 Lexus GS450h, 2009 Lexus LS600h, 2009 Lexus RX450h: Lexus makes amazing cars. Period. Whether you are driving a two-mode hybrid model or an all-out gas burner, Lexus brings fun-to-drive luxury cars to America. You can’t go wrong with Lexus!

2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid: The 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid is based on the Ford Escape Hybrid platform (see notes above). This mid-sized SUV, along with the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid, all qualify for tax credits ($3,000 for the 2WD and $1,950 for the 4WD models).

2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid: I’ve always been a big fan of the Nissan Altima with its sporty styling and fun-to-drive engine. Although I haven’t road tested the 2009 edition of the Nissan Altima Hybrid, I’m certain this super cool sedan lives up to its previous heritage as an overall best hybrid buy.

2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid, 2009 Saturn Vue Greenline: With the Saturn brand in limbo, it’s hard to recommend buying anything from Saturn (except if you are interested in a great going-out-of-business sale). However, I drove both the 2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid and the 2009 Saturn Vue Greenline last fall at a GM drive event and I love both of these models for function, utility, tech, drive and overall good value.

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid: Toyota’s Camry is one fine sedan and its two-mode hybrid model is no exception. The Toyota Camry is best in its most luxury edition, but even the entry-level model is a worthy buy. I drove a 2008 model Toyota Camry Hybrid and I thought the gas-electric engine was both zippy and rather quiet.

2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is a great choice for mid-sized SUV. I have road tested both the 2007 and 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid models and they have performed superbly. I’m hoping the 2009 model’s interior is a bit more modern and less like a minivan.

2009 Toyota Prius: Alphabetically, the Toyota Prius ended up at the bottom of this list, but the Prius actually started the hybrid revolution. Still a good overall buy for drive, utility and technology, the Prius now has stiff competition with the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, 2010 Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid.

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.