The Essential Hybrid Car Handbook: A Buyer's Guide

This is a very good book and I read it from cover to cover as soon as I got it. The author summarizes the various hybrid technologies and then dives into a model by model analysis of what was available at the time of writing, 2006, and as far into the future as the car manufacturers would let him peek. There are two caveats however. This book may not age well as the information is so specific to current hybrid offerings, and more awkwardly, all of his MPG ratings are in a now-obsolete scheme. As of 2008 ALL fuel economy ratings have been recalculated using new formulas. For instance, the Toyota Prius, formerly rated at 60/51 city/hwy is now recalculated to 48/45. So none of the MPG values shown in this book will be found on any new car stickers you'll on the lot as of late 2007. These new numbers are said to reflect actual consumer experience more accurately. That said, comparing MPG's for various vehicles within the book to each other is still perfectly valid. Or you can convert these old numbers to new using calculators on the www.fueleconomy.gov site.

By accident of timing, I was interviewed and quoted on pp. 8, "Bob Wilson", and am pleased with the accuracy. Since then, my understanding has improved but I still reject the "hypermiler" label. It doesn't take extreme driving to get excellent mileage. Hybrids are different but not some weird science project. Nick's book is a terrific collection of the history of hybrids and the technology. He did his homework and his writing style is easy and factually complete. Even without page 8, the book is a great read.

This is an excellent, clearly written book that brings together lots of different details about hybrid cars, all in one place. I would also recommend "Plug-In Hybrids: The Cars that will Recharge America" for some more information on hybrids around the world, and the new feature of converting a hybrid into a plug-in hybrid.

Excellent resource, with diverse model information all in one place. Since the technology seems to be somewhat static this book provides good information, expecially if you are going to or have already purchased one of the Hybrids in the book. I'm still on the fence, but the Ford models are calling to me.... I want 4wd.

Seems the boys from South Park got it all wrong. Hybrid car owners aren't smug, they're cool! And this is the book that certifies their coolness. In addition, it tells in vital detail everything you want to know about the Hybrid car industry, how these vehicles work, their pluses and their few negatives. Well written and entertaining, the strength of the book is that it's not a political statement saying something like "you should buy these crappy cars to save a tree" but is more a veteran, gas-combustion addicted gearhead saying "what do you know, these smooth, clean, gas $$$ saving babies work great and here's precisely why." Anybody considering buying one of these vehicles - or those who already own one - should absolutely buy this definative book. - Dary Matera