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Honda Civic Hybrid

The last of the 2009 sales figures are in for the U.S. auto market, and it's been an interesting year for the hybrid car. A look at total car sales for the year will tell you that auto sales dropped by a whopping 21.4 percent in comparison to 2008. However, hybrid vehicle sales fared far less poorly with only 7.6 percent drop in year-to-year sales.

Overall, hybrids contributed to 2.8 percent of the total car sales for the year. This number, while small, continues to grow from year to year. While year-to-year sales for most hybrid vehicles dropped, an introduction of several new models helped the segment stay relatively strong. Since many of these models remain relatively unchanged for the 2010 year, it may be helpful for current hybrid shoppers to understand which hybrids have historically been most popular and why. Of all the hybrids sold during the 2009 year, the best-selling models are discussed below:

Toyota Prius (139,682 units)

The Toyota Prius remains top dog in the world of hybrids for the 2009 year. The vehicle has long been the most popular hybrid of choice for a number of reasons. For one, it's one of the oldest and reliable hybrid models on the road. For two, it offers a comfortable, fairly roomy interior and pleasant (albeit conservative) styling. For three, the Prius is by far the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the road, with an estimated 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. Additionally, a base price below that of almost all competitors ($22,400) didn't hurt sales figures either.

The newly introduced 2010 Toyota Prius bolsters the already impressive feature set of the vehicle by improving exterior styling, adding a larger, more powerful engine and incorporating solar energy technology.

Toyota Camry Hybrid (22,887 units)

Toyota reinforces its stranglehold on the hybrid market with the Toyota Camry Hybrid. For those who prefer a more traditionally styled sedan, the 2010 Toyota Camry proves an amiable alternative to the Toyota Prius. In many respects, the Camry is a better hybrid for those who want the improved driving dynamics of a non-hybrid while still benefiting from the exceptional fuel mileage of a hybrid. Toyota's legendary dependability adds to the appeal of the Camry Hybrid. EPA fuel estimates for the 2010 Toyota Camry come in at 33 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Base price is $26,150 – an affordable number compared to many hybrid alternatives.

Honda Insight (20,572 units)

The newly resurrected Honda Insight burst back onto the scene in 2009. Intended to be the first serious competitor to the Prius, the Insight posted decent numbers for the year. Some of this can be attributed to the low entry fee – at $19,800 the Insight was the most affordable hybrid in 2009. Good driving dynamics and a comfortable interior also help to boost the appeal of this Honda hybrid. However, the Insight is smaller and less fuel-efficient than the Prius, which may be why Honda was generally disappointed with the inaugural sales figures posted by the 2010 Insight. Fuel efficiency for the Insight is estimated at 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.

Ford Fusion Hybrid (15,554 units)

Ford scored a major success with both car reviewers and drivers with the introduction of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. With a more upscale interior than the Prius and better fuel efficiency than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Fusion Hybrid stacks up nicely against the two Toyota hybrids. Top on the list of factors that set the 2010 Fusion Hybrid apart from the competition is the smooth driving dynamics. More than any other hybrid, the Fusion drives like a traditional car. If you're interested in a vehicle that combines the comfort creatures of a traditional mid-size sedan while still earning 41 mpg in the city, then the Ford Fusion Hybrid is certainly a difficult vehicle to beat.

Honda Civic Hybrid (15,119 units)

Honda has been quietly making the Honda Civic Hybrid since the 2003 model year. The Civic Hybrid offers a good combination of interior luxury and sleek exterior styling. As a compact car, the 2010 Civic Hybrid earns an impressive 40 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Still, smaller dimensions and a higher MSRP make it difficult to compete with the class-leading Toyota Prius. However, if you don't like the looks of the Prius, the Civic delivers as a solid alternative.

Ford Escape Hybrid (14,787 units)

The Ford Escape Hybrid was the best-selling hybrid SUV for 2009. This is largely because the Escape Hybrid manages to retain much of the utility and engine performance of a traditional SUV. Despite this fact, the 2010 Escape Hybrid musters 34 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway – enough to make it the most-fuel efficient SUV for the year. A base price of $29,785, while a bit steep in comparison to standard SUVs, is as affordable as it comes if you want a hybrid SUV. If you like the idea of the Ford Escape Hybrid, you might also check into the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which features the same architecture and engine.

Lexus RX Hybrid (14,464 units)

Lexus earns the blue ribbon for best-selling luxury hybrid in 2009. The Lexus RX Hybrid is a mid-size SUV crossover. In comparison to other hybrids on this best-selling list, the Lexus IS the clear winner in terms of luxury, power and prestige. An opulent interior and capable 3.5-liter V6 prove that Lexus is unwilling to compromise comfort and performance in favor of hybrid technology. If you're willing to hand over nearly $40,000 for a hybrid SUV, then the Lexus RX 450h is likely your best option. Fuel efficiency for the hybrid Lexus is 32 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

List of Hybrid Model Total Sales for 2009

Total sales figures for all hybrid models for the 2009 year are as follows:

• Toyota Prius: 139,682 units
• Toyota Camry Hybrid: 22,887 units
• Honda Insight: 20,572 units
• Ford Fusion Hybrid: 15,554 units
• Honda Civic Hybrid: 15,119 units
• Ford Escape Hybrid: 14,787 units
• Lexus RX Hybrid: 14,464 units
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 11,086 units
• Nissan Altima Hybrid: 9,357 units
• Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: 4,162 units
• Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid: 3,301 units
• Saturn VUE Hybrid: 2,656 units
• Cadillac Escalade Hybrid: 1,959 units
• GMC Yukon Hybrid: 1,933 units
• Mercury Mariner Hybrid: 1,693 units
• Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid: 1,598 units
• Mercury Milan Hybrid: 1,486 units
• Saturn Aura Hybrid: 527 units
• Lexus GS 450h: 469 units
• Lexus LS 600h L: 258 units
  

If you own a Honda Civic Hybrid that was built between the model years 2003 and 2008, then you may be eligible for an attractive discount on a brand new Honda vehicle. This windfall comes courtesy of a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Honda Civic Hybrid owners in 2007. The subject of the lawsuit? The claimed miles per gallon rating of the gasoline / electric vehicle.

It seems that many owners of the Honda Civic Hybrid had noticed that their compact sedans weren’t even coming close to the savings at the pump that Honda had initially promised through the EPA ratings that are affixed to the window sticker of every vehicle sold in the United States. The plaintiffs in the case are two California residents, who in the suit claimed that they had been deceived by Honda into thinking that their vehicle’s fuel mileage rating was something they could achieve in real-world driving conditions. Specifically, they referred to the 49 miles per gallon city and 51 miles per gallon highway that Honda advertised the Honda Civic Hybrid as being able to muster.

For its part, Honda has handled the accusations in a somewhat strange manner. While it has protested that it complied with the letter of the law, and that the EPA fuel efficiency ratings that it advertised for the car are completely legitimate, it has also opted to settle out of court with not only the two primary plaintiffs in the suit, but also the 120,000 Honda Civic Hybrid owners that they represent. A closer look at the vehicle’s revised fuel rating from 2008 provides a glimpse at why the automaker may have chosen to end the suit early rather than slog it out in court: new and more accurate EPA testing policies lowered the Honda Civic Hybrid’s overall fuel economy rating to 40 miles per gallon city and 45 miles per gallon highway. While many other vehicles also took a ratings hit as a result of the new methodology, the Honda Civic Hybrid’s was fairly dramatic.

While Honda may have decided to reconcile with angry owners, the settlement itself does feature a few restrictions. Current Honda Civic Hybrid drivers willing to trade in their underperforming vehicle are eligible for a $1,000 coupon on most new Honda vehicles, with the notable exceptions of the Honda Insight, the Honda Fit, and – ironically – the current edition of the Honda Civic Hybrid. Seeing as these models are the leading fuel savers in the Honda lineup and the automobiles that current hybrid owners would most likely purchase, it seems that Honda is gambling that most will choose to forgo the rebate and stay the course with their thirstier-than-advertised rides.

Owners unwilling to trade in their cars can still receive a $500 rebate on a brand new Honda, excluding the previously mentioned vehicles, while those who want to have nothing more to do with the brand are eligible for a $100 check if they can prove that they complained to Honda during the course of their ownership about substandard fuel mileage.

Some involved with the suit have voiced concerns regarding a settlement that ultimately leads to Honda selling more cars while the lawyers involved cash out to the tune of $2.95 million dollars. 25 states have filed a motion to have the settlement dismissed, but the final decision will be made next month as to whether Honda will be able to escape full prosecution thanks to this deal. Either way, current Honda Civic Hybrid owners are going to have some kind of cash or compensation in their pocket in the coming months to help them replace that gas-guzzling hybrid parked in the driveway.