Fuel Economy Comparo: Kia Optima Hybrid vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Story by John LeBlanc Feel free to thank the rising price of fuel and stricter government-mandated fuel economy ratings for today’s variety of new gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. Once limited to being quirky or small when they arrived in the late 1990s, hybrids now come in all shapes and sizes.

Dear John: Hybrid sedans

By John LeBlanc When they first came out over a decade ago, gasoline-electric — or “hybrid” — cars definitely saved more fuel compared to their gas-only counterparts. But their low-volume sales numbers meant automakers were obligated to sell hybrids at premium prices. That’s no longer the case.

Top 10s: The most fuel-efficient hybrids for 2013

Story by John LeBlanc When Natural Resources Canada announced its top fuel-efficient new 2013 models, there were a host of pure-electric vehicles that sip no fuel at all. But not all new car buyers can afford the limited driving range and inconvenience of plugging in these EVs. For the rest of us, here are the […]

First Drive: 2013 Ford C-Max Energi

Story and photos by John LeBlanc SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. –  Each time Ford launches a new electrified vehicle of some kind, inevitably, rival Toyota takes a licking. Two months ago, Ford launched its new 2013 Fusion Hybrid sedan. And the American automaker’s media presentation was chock-a-block with references to how much better its hybrid sedan […]

2012 Detroit: Worst in Show

By John LeBlanc Despite what the local media were saying, this year’s Detroit auto show was a bit of a yawner. Okay, a real, big yawner. Not only were the number of true concepts at an all-time low, but most of the types of exotic brands car enthusiasts drool over (i.e. Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces) didn’t […]

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