Automakers have discovered two primary benefits to hybrid technology: more power, with better efficiency, and total efficiency. Trouble is, they aren’t necessarily willing to broadcast the differences. Case in point: the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Honda Accord Hybrid. Curious shoppers may think that they’ll get great fuel mileage and low emissions with these vehicles, but they won’t – at least not what many assume they would get from a hybrid vehicle. The Highlander and the Accord are power hybrids, designed to offer excellent torque and performance by basically mating the electric part of the hybrid powertrain to V6 engines. Other power hybrids include the recent batch of vehicles from Lexus, such as the 2006 Lexus RX 400h – a luxury SUV that gets about 26 miles to the gallon, and actually offers a more spirited drive than the more traditional RX. Also coming soon from Lexus is the world’s first rear-drive hybrid, the 2007 GS 450h – a powerful performance machine, not to be confused with, say, a Honda Insight.

The result of these power hybrids is great fun and improved efficiency, when compared to vehicles of similar performance character, but not when compared to hybrids that usually feature four-cylinder engines and continuously variable transmissions, such as the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid or Honda Civic Hybrid. These are economy hybrids, and the focus here is what people generally think of when they think hybrid: high miles per gallon, low emissions, and, as a trade off, not-so-hot performance. In exchange, car buyers get tax incentives and special favors, such as up front parking spots and access to car pool lanes. The benefits vary by state, primarily because the federal government has yet to actually define what makes the grade when it comes to good-enough hybrid efficiency. The reasons? Changing EPA regulations (see the link at left), automakers that have lately been adding more performance into the hybrid mix and opportunistic politicians. The best rule of thumb is to go with the most efficient hybrid vehicles available, which means the Honda Insight (production ending later this year), the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid. These should generate the largest tax incentive, and qualify for car pool lane access in most states. Of course, it would be a, uh, good idea to check with your local state transportation department before buying. In California, for example, the Ford Escape Hybrid does not qualify for access into HOV lanes because it generates less than an estimated 45 mpg. That’s an arbitrary and ridiculous ruling, when you consider that even the gas-sipping Prius is lucky to get 45 in real-world driving.

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