Hybrid car reliability according to Consumer Reports

"These hybrid systems have been very reliable," states David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' auto test center, noting the 94% of Toyota Prius owners who would buy another Prius, according to their influential consumer survey.

Moreover, Mr. Champion called hybrids "mainstream technology" with the introduction of the Honda Accord hybrid, winner of Consumer Reports Best Family Sedan, which beat out 32 other models for the prestigious award.

While some auto analysts have criticized the hybrid car powertrain, joking that why do you need two motors to do the job of one, Consumer Reports disagreed. "It's the electric motor that really adds the power, or adds the torque to the engine, says Champion. "That allows it to really launch itself off the line."

In Consumer Report testing, not only did the Accord hybrid achieve superior fuel efficiency, it went 0 - 60 more than a half second faster than its conventional cousin.