2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: First Drive

When it appeared in 2011 to counter rivals like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid generally didn't fare too well in head-to-head matchups. Complaints of a lack of refinement in the hybrid powertrain and braking feel were cited, and the Sonata routinely under-delivered on the fuel economy front. Hyundai seems to have been listening, as these are exactly the areas the company focused on for the 2013 Sonata Hybrid, and the result is a top-notch, fully competitive hybrid sedan ready to take on the competitors.

Changes start with the powertrain: The same 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine remains, but it now makes slightly less power, 159 horsepower compared to the 2012 model's 166. This is made up for by a more powerful electric motor, rated at 35 kilowatts instead of the last model's 30. Net power thus drops from 206 in the 2012 model to 199 in the 2013, but this is the only trade-off for superior performance, fuel economy and cargo room. The 2013 Sonata Hybrid's lithium polymer battery has a higher capacity, but it's also lighter and better packaged, allowing the trunk's cargo room to grow from 10.7 to 12.1 cubic feet.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 Lexus RX 450h

Parents are often in search of a little tranquility, and the 2013 Lexus RX 450h delivers it, says Cars.com Family reviewer Courtney Messenbaugh. Of course, silence is golden, so you'll have to pay a premium for this hybrid crossover, which starts at $47,205. The RX seats five, but it was a squeeze for Courtney to fit her three kids and their child-safety seats into the backseat.

2013 Lexus RX 450h Family Review

Snapshot of a Hybrid Owner

According to new data from Experian, hybrid vehicles still make up only a small percentage of all cars on the road today, but they're gaining market share. The data company's study showed that hybrid car market share went from 2.2% in 2011 to 3.1% in 2012.

Who's buying hybrids? The study also took a look at the typical hybrid owner and came up with an interesting snapshot. First off, hybrid consumers have a higher credit score than those buying a non-hybrid car; the average score of a hybrid owner who applies for a loan is 790 compared to 755 for non-hybrid loan applicants. Experian also notes that hybrids tend to appeal to a younger audience; 25- to 34-year-olds are 16% more likely than average to live in a household that owns or leases a hybrid vehicle, the agency reports.

How Automakers Recycle (Graphic)

Because it's Earth Day, we're looking at how car parts are recycled, how outside objects are recycled for use in cars and how automakers are using new, renewable energy resources to make cars less of a drag on the environment. Senior Editor Kristin Varela spoke to many automakers, and we've compiled her findings into the infographic below.

When a Hybrid Doesn't Outperform at the Pump

Luxury and hybrid don't necessarily go together in the car world. Buyers who can afford an expensive luxury car typically can afford an expensive stop at the gas station. Why even consider a hybrid version?

There are entry-level models that return excellent mileage resulting in significant savings at the pump, and savings are savings. Then there is a different breed of hybrid where the electric-assisted powertrain is designed to deliver a better driving experience — or more power — without the drain at the pump more power typically demands.

Lexus was the first luxury car maker to offer a hybrid model in its lineup: the RX 400h back in 2006. Today it makes entry-level hybrids like the ES 300h and CT 200h. Both start at less than $40,000 and return an impressive EPA rating of at least 40 mpg combined.

Then there's the LS 600h L, a full-size luxury flagship that sports a unique hybrid system that teams a 5.0-liter V-8 engine with a 165-kwh electric motor and 288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery to make a grand 438 combined horsepower. It also starts at $120,805 (including destination of $895).

We decided to see how the mileage of this uber-hybrid really shook out in the real world, driving it and a non-hybrid LS 460 on a nearly 200-mile round-trip commute. We were a bit surprised at the results.

The Top 10 Cities Where Car Shoppers Go Green

In celebration of Earth Day Cars.com has compiled a list of the U.S. cities with the greenest car shoppers.

We analyzed data from millions of our visitors to find out where searches for hybrid and other environmentally friendly cars were most concentrated.

Cars.com's Best Hybrids For The Money

It turns out only two cities weren't located on the West Coast.

"It is not surprising that California and other West Coast cities top the list with some of the greenest car shoppers. That part of the country has long led the charge in the green movement," said Joe Wiesenfelder, Cars.com's executive editor.

2013 Lexus LS 600h L Video

The 2013 Lexus LS 600h L challenges conventional wisdom about what a hybrid should be. As Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder notes, this luxury hybrid is EPA rated at an unimpressive 19/23 mpg city/highway — only 2 mpg better than its non-hybrid counterpart, the much cheaper LS 460 L. However, not only does the hybrid far outweigh the 460, it packs beefier horsepower and quickness. It also boasts one of the softest rides around, an enormous backseat and a host of over-the-top features like a power ottoman and massaging seat that could shame Sharper Image. In other words, it's totally awesome and awesomely impractical.

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Talkin' 'Bout Regeneration: Cadillac ELR Lets Driver Harness Power

A new feature set to debut next year on the Cadillac ELR puts control over energy regeneration in the driver's hands. Equipped with the Regen on Demand system, the extended-range electric compact luxury coupe uses paddle shifters that enable the driver to temporarily control the regenerative braking system, which captures and stores braking energy in the battery pack for later use.

To engage Regen on Demand, the driver removes their foot from the accelerator and pulls back on either the left or right steering-wheel paddle, according to Cadillac. That provides greater deceleration than normal coasting and is similar to when a driver downshifts with a manual transmission, Cadillac stated. Releasing the paddle disengages the feature, allowing the vehicle to coast normally; it cannot stop the vehicle.

"Regen on Demand enables ELR drivers to actively recapture energy when slowing down, such as when approaching slower traffic or setting up for a tight turn," said Chris Thomason, ELR chief engineer. "This allows the driver to take a more active role in the electric vehicle driving experience."

Best Hybrids for the Money 2013

Gas prices remain volatile, but even so, no one expects prices below $3 per gallon ever again, and many parts of the country consistently see prices near or above $4. As much as ever, shoppers need to know how effectively hybrids deliver efficiency for your dollar — if they do at all.

To determine if a hybrid's added expense is worth the cash, we devised an efficiency-cost rating to reflect efficiency bang for your overall buck.

It's simply the combined city/highway mpg divided by the base price (MSRP plus destination charge). We then multiply that number by 1,000. This formula can be applied to any type of vehicle, hybrid or not. A high mpg rating and low price provide a high efficiency-cost rating. A higher score is the better score.

We don't account for equipment levels, quality judgments, cost of ownership or any variances from EPA mileage estimates. The goal here is to pay the least for the most mileage, barring all other considerations.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

With three rows of seats, the 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid seemed like it'd be a perfect fit for Cars.com Family reviewer BreAnn Ahara and her family, but this midsize SUV's small cargo area cramped this family of five's style. BreAnn was impressed, however, by the second row's removable center seat; it creates a pathway to the third row.

2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Family Review