Prius top compact according to JD Power

Prius reliability still tops

The Toyota Prius isn't just the most fuel efficient hybrid on the road today, it's also one of the most dependable vehicles available according to JD Power. The Prius took the top spot amongst compact cars in the latest JD Power rankings.

In terms of hybrid cars, the Lexus RX400h was a runner up in the midsize premium category.

RX 450 hybrid 20 percent more efficient than RX 400h

32/28 MPG City/Highway

In recent weeks I've received a number of Lexus RX 400h hybrid testimonials that have strongly complained about the real world fuel efficiency of the first Lexus hybrid.

Lexus has been listening.

The RX 450h, which will replace the RX 400h, will be 20 percent more fuel efficient than the original 400h, improving from 27/24 mpg on the city/highway cycle to 32/28.

Likewise, Cars.com reports that the new Lexus will offer "better acceleration and cold-weather operability, plus reduced vibrations and noise."

Haven't added your hybrid testimonial yet? Do it now.

Led by Prius, Toyota hybrid sales decline

7,232 units sold in February

Overall, for the month of February, Toyota new vehicle sales declined dramatically, although passenger car sales increased by 6.3 percent compared to last month. In terms of hybrid cars, however, the news was even worse - particularly for the Prius.

Overall, Toyota hybrid sales dropped from 11,876 units in January to 11,814 in February. The Toyota Prius went from 8,121 units in January, to 7,232 units in February.

Ironically, the Lexus RX400h hybrid saw an uptick in sales of 36.3 percent over last February.

Lexus hybrid most fuel efficient luxury SUV

A great hybrid for luxury drivers

When it comes to hybrid cars and fuel economy, I probably hear more complaints about the Lexus RX400 h hybrid than any other hybrid vehicle. Of course, I always wonder, what were these buyers expecting from a luxury hybrid?

When push-comes-to-shove, for the performance it provides, the RX400 h is a great vehicle, and its performance in urban traffic makes it Forbes' Top Most Fuel Efficient Luxury SUV.

If you want the most fuel efficient SUV, pick up a Ford Escape hybrid. If you want a luxury SUV with good fuel economy, it's the RX400 h.

Would you pay $50,000 for a 100 mpg plug-in Prius?

Toyota Prius about to be converted into a plug-in hybrid

What would you pay for a loaded plug-in Prius that could achieve 100 mpg? Would you pay as much as $50,000? $40,000? What's the magic number?

It seems hard to believe that the add-on costs for plug-in hybrid technology could break under $10,000 anytime soon without substantial government incentives. So, what's an extra 50 mpg worth?

More interesting, is the Prius even a good launching pad for plug-in technology if the price of the technology is so high? Other less efficient hybrid vehicles, such as the GMC Yukon hybrid or the Lexus RX400 h hybrid might be better fits until the technology costs can be reduced - a 60 mpg Yukon would be pretty impressive.

What are plug-in hybrid vehicles worth to you?

Jerry Maguire wants to clean up sports

Basis for Jerry Maguire character goes hybrid

"For this superstar sports agent -- widely considered to be the model for Jerry Maguire -- buying a Lexus RX 400h was a symbol of his conversion to environmental activism. In fact, he has a team working on "an ambitious program to 'green up' sports," he says. It includes running stadium scoreboards on solar power, installing water collectors to irrigate playing surfaces and, perhaps most important, persuading athletes who drive Hummers and Escalades to ditch the brawny bling and be better environmental role models. He's even working on a hedge fund to finance it all."

Check out more on this story on Kiplinger.com, which also includes the Best Values in Clean Cars.

2008 Lexus RX400h pricing announced

Lexus hybrid price stays the same

In 2008, the Lexus RX400h will start at the same price as it did in 2007, $41,800. The all-wheel drive RX400h will also remain the same at $42,580.

For the most part, the 2008 RX h will be the same as the 2007 RX h, except the 2008 model will receive "several styling enhancements including a restyled front grille design, new exterior chrome door handles, a new finish on the five-spoke, 18-inch wheels, and a color-keyed rear spoiler. The world's first luxury utility hybrid also receives seven new exterior colors including Smoky Granite Mica, Golden Almond Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Brandy Wine Mica, Desert Sage Metallic and Matador Red Mica."

Toyota reports hybrid sales for June

Toyota's hybrid sales still strong

Toyota sold almost 30,000 hybrid vehicles in June, an increase of almost 50 percent compared to last June. Not surprisingly, the Prius was the top selling hybrid, posting sales of 17,756 units. The Camry hybrid achieved sales of 5,530 units, while the Highlander hybrid posted sales of 2,403 units.

The Lexus RX400h hybrid achieved sales of 1,562 units.

Toyota hybrids post record sales in May

The Camry hybrid was also hot

Ouch! That's all I can say regarding the sales of the Toyota Prius hybrid car this May.

With a tax credit that has been cut in half, then cut in half again, one might have expected a bit of a drop in the sales of Toyota's hybrid vehicles, or at least some stagnation. Instead, Toyota posted its BEST EVER month of Prius sales, selling some 24,009 Prius vehicles - almost equaling the total sales of Toyota's entire Lexus division.

----> Finish: Toyota hybrids post record sales in May

Hard sell? Hybrids help drive record Toyota sales

Almost 20,000 sold in March

With significant help from hybrid cars, Toyota posted "best-ever monthly sales" for the month of March. The Toyota Prius achieved the best month of sales for the second month in a row with 19, 156 vehicles sold, an increase of 133.2 percent according to Toyota.

The Camry hybrid achieved sales of 5,144 units sold in March, while the Highlander hybrid achieved 2,501 units sold. In addition, Toyota also sold 1,471 units of the Lexus RX400h hybrid.

While some of this increase in hybrid sales might be attributed to a decreasing tax credit for Toyota hybrids, that's still an amazing month. Too bad the credit is expiring, I guess Congress just doesn't feel the need to get as many foreign oil dependency fighting, global warming reducing automobiles on the road as fast as possible?

Hybrid Vehicles Dead? Toyota Prius sales soar in January

Are hybrid vehicles losing their appeal?

Despite lower gas prices and a federal tax credit that was reduced by 50 percent, the Toyota Prius had its best January on record, selling 8,299 units. The Camry hybrid posted sales of 2,801 units, the Highlander hybrid reported 1,810 sales, while the Lexus RX400h reported 1,245 units sold.

So, if Toyota sold more than 14,000 hybrid cars in January with only a reduced tax credit, how many more would Toyota have sold if it still qualified for the full tax credit? Considering the seriousness of foreign oil dependency, pollution and global warming, it is simply silly that Toyota is being punished for being too successful doing the right thing.

--> More on Hybrid vehicles dead? Prius sales soar in January