The Family Car features Hybrid cars

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Toyota has bred its incredibly successful hybrid technology to the Lexus GS 450h (20-22 mpg / $55,665), a small and sporty sedan that has the look and feel of a higher-priced luxury import.
Nissan’s lone wolf, the four-cylinder Altima Hybrid (36-42 mpg / $24,400), has the ability to operate in electric-only mode at low speeds, but is only available in a handful of states so far. General Motors has come out with a series of sedans featuring “mild hybrid” technology that focus on adding a power boost rather than great fuel economy to the vehicle.

An example is the Saturn Aura Green Line (24-32 mpg / $22,790), which uses the electric motor to improve thrust while adding a couple of extra miles per gallon over the gas-only model.

Full-size sedans

The lavish Lexus LS 600h hybrid (20-22 mpg / $104,765) is here to help satisfy those easy-to-clean leather cravings while also conserving some fuel. The flagship of the Toyota/Lexus lineup features a powerful V-8 engine that is mated with an electric motor to improve performance and fuel efficiency. Best of all, you and your family will ride on a cloud-like cushion of comfort as only a Lexus can deliver.

Mercedes gets into the hybrid family later this year when it will roll out the S-Class Hybrid, but it’s too soon to know price and mileage.

Compact SUVs

Families love sport utility vehicles (SUVs) for their ability to handle many friends and large loads while traversing off-road terrain. In 2004, the Ford Escape (30-34 mpg / $26,505) became the nation’s first hybrid SUV to hit the market, offering families the increased space and durability of a utility vehicle with the fuel efficiency of a small sedan. Honored as the North American Truck of the Year in 2005, the Escape quietly saves gas and is light on the environment without howling “I am a hybrid” to the neighborhood.

2008's Ford Escape Hybrid features bold, dramatic angles.

For comparison, last year's 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid is seen above .

A year later, the Lexus RX400h (27-33 mpg / $41,180) arrived on the scene as the world’s first luxury hybrid SUV. The RX400h is defined as a "full hybrid," which means that it is capable of operating in electric-only, or gas engine-only mode in addition to combining the power of the gas engine and electric motor.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid (30-34 mpg / $25,765) is a kissing cousin of the Ford Escape hybrid, basically rebadged and redesigned to appeal to Mercury fans.

Already used:
The '07 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Like its Aura hybrid sibling, the Saturn Vue Green Line (25-32 / $24,795) features a hybrid system that puts more emphasis on power enhancement than fuel economy.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid (25-27 mpg / $32,490) has been redesigned in 2008 and is the only fuel-sipper to offer families three-rows of seats that fold flat to accommodate the extra cargo that typically accompanies fun-loving families. And we can't forget that the Highlander comes from Toyota, a company which (like Honda) has a well-established hybrid development program. You may want to watch our video about the Highlander.

Mazda's Tribute Hybrid (28-32 mpg / $28,630) is basically a Ford Escape Hybrid in Mazda clothing and has the ability to move in electric-only mode at low speeds.

Full-Size SUVs

Named the Green Car of the Year for 2008, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid (21-22 mpg / $49,590) is a big and versatile, family-friendly SUV that’s built to save fuel while aggressively handling all the needs of today’s active families.

Utilizing the same technology as the Tahoe, the new Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is due to be introduced later in the year.

So there you have it. Frugal families no longer need to fear rising fuel prices, not with the current generation of high-tech hybrids leading the way.

Happy driving!

Keith Turner is a syndicated automotive writer and the father of two. He can be reached at carguy@hotmail.com. His reviews can also be found www.dogcars.com.