Toyota Tests Plug-In Hybrids

Insight cheaper, simpler than Toyota's hybrid king

(NEWSER) - Honda is rolling out a fresh—and worthy—competitor to Toyota’s Prius, king of the hybrid market, writes Joseph P. White in the Wall Street Journal. The 2010 Insight will sell for just under $20,000, some $2,000 less than the most popular Prius model, and gets “minicar mileage” while offering enough room for a bike in the back seat. "Honda has already rattled the champ," writes White, "and the first round hasn't really begun." More»

Company believed to be trying to build first mass-market car running soley on sunshine

(NEWSER) - Toyota is trying to leapfrog rivals by developing a mass-market solar-powered car on the sly. The futuristic vehicle will get power from solar cells in the rooftop, providing enough energy to power only its accessories initially, reports Hybrid Cars News. The company is thought to be years away from creating a fully solar-powered car, notes the Japanese daily Nikkei. More»

Plug-in electric car finally unveiled today; production model too ordinary for some fans

(NEWSER) - GM offered its first official look today at the plug-in Chevrolet Volt, CNNMoney reports, the electric car slated to go on sale in 2010. Its tame appearance drew the ire of gearheads hoping it would look more like the futuristic concept version. "A lot of people are saying they're very disappointed and 'take me off the [waiting] list,' " said one blogger. More»

Toyota's green car stands out as more enviro-friendly

(NEWSER) - Honda rolled out America's first hybrids a few years ago, but now they're scrambling to reclaim the roads after Toyota out-greened them with the enviro-hip Prius. What happened? Honda’s stylin’ was so “Civic” that nobody knew their drivers were commuting to save the world. If you can't show off your green creds, one analyst says, "the whole purchase is a waste of time." More»

CNNMoney puts the rubber to the road and finds the best cars in 10 categories

(NEWSER) - Whether you want something small and hip or capacious and safe, you can find it in CNNMoney's guide to the best cars of 2007 as determined by Consumer Reports.

1. Budget car, subcompact: Honda Fit
2. Sedan, less then $20,000: Honda Civic
3. Sedan, $20,000 to $30,000: Honda Accord
4. Sedan, $30,000 to $40,000: Infiniti G35
5. Luxury Sedan: Infiniti M35