Mother Proof website chooses best hybrids for mums
The moms of Motherproof.com, a site dedicated to providing women in general and mothers in particular with new-car reviews, has published a list of their top choice hybrids. Although the hybrid market is growing steadily and Americans have more options than ever to buy and drive one, this page is focused on which vehicles are most suitable for mothers (and I'd say fathers too).
Their recommendations are for large cars, so they might not be the greenest options but let's admit that a childseat at the back of a Prius might be cumbersome for certain mums. They aren't too fond on sedans because trunk space is usually sacrificed to install the battery pack. Anyway, here are their choices
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid 08: Praised because it's more powerful than last year's model and "saves time because you go less often to the gas pump".
- Chevy Tahoe Hybrid 08: Remarked because it's "intriguing" as the most powerful hybrid in the market.
- Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid 08: Highlighted for being a compact and affordable hybrid still able to carry five and their luggage (and dog).
- Toyota Camry Hybrid 07: Because "at traffic stops the car feels it's in stealth mode".
Anyone else got an opinion on this?
[Source: Motherproof.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Snark 8:06PM (11/08/2007)
Aren't you supposed to lay off the crack pipe when you're pregnant? What's all this mad talk about "most powerful hybrid"? Isn't that missing the point, like, entirely? What are they, freebasing? Like right now?
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mike 10:12PM (11/08/2007)
I've never heard a more dumb-a** review in my life. "Most powerful hybrid" is really Classic. Are these moms doing 0-60 in 8 seconds with the toddlers in the back?
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Mattias 3:01AM (11/09/2007)
Wow. Space for five and a dog. You Americans need some kind of SUV for this? Aren't there no small vans like the Citroen C4 Picasso or the Focus C-Max in the US? Even without hybrid, but with modern DSG gearboxes (no third pedal!) and filtered diesels they get some real life 42mpg.
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BlackbirdHighway 6:10AM (11/09/2007)
Yeah, that site is pretty bad, then again I'm not a mom, so maybe I'm biased. I guess moms are people too, and most people like power, so maybe that's not too surprising.
There is an article on the site about not going crazy and getting an overly large vehicle just because you have a family, so that's nice to see.
They also don't seem at all concerned with reliablity. That should be a concern for everyone, even more so for moms. Having the car stuck in the shop, or suffering a breakdown on the road is bad enough anyway, but even worse when you have to deal with a load of kids too.
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sheltonn 7:16AM (11/09/2007)
I can only guess that no one on this site has any kids. Everyone keeps harping on the GM full size hybrids like there is an alternative. Tell me of another hybrid that will let you carry two adults, two teenagers and two kids in car seats and room for soccer gear for 2 kids I will buy it. Till then, this is the only game in town.
BTW, the GM full size vehicles are VERY reliable. The few things that do go wrong with them cost less than $100 including labor.
I will hug a tree as much as anyone, as long as I have a vehicle big enough to bring my family with me.
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jim 8:23AM (11/09/2007)
I can't understand why no mfg has offered a hybrid mini van?
As despised as this type of vehicle has become parents of young children will tell you that strapping kids in car seats is much easier in an MPV than in any SUV/CUV even if the MPV is a smaller vehicle.
Suburban families put large amount of miles on cars simply schlepping their progeny around and most of the mileage is at low speed and in traffic where hybrids shine
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Phil L. 8:54AM (11/09/2007)
Mattias -
No, there are no such vehicles available in the US. A family-friendly vehicle with DSG and a spiffy efficient diesel? Sorry, not here.
I have three kids, all still in child safety seats. If you're looking for fuel-efficient vehicles that have at least 3 LATCH safety seat positions (similar to ISOFIX in Europe), plus room for mom and dad, your choices are pretty limited. It still amazes me that no one makes a hybrid minivan here.
One nice feature on the motherproof web site: They list how many LATCH positions are available in each vehicle. You'd be surprised how difficult it is to find this information for some vehicles. It's sad that no hybrid listed on their site has more than 2.
Meanwhile, I'm sticking with my '00 Ford Windstar: It has 4 - count 'em - FOUR LATCH positions. It was affordable to purchase, and has been affordable to maintain. It makes a fine daily runner - and can still tow our popup camper on trips. It doesn't get great mileage by some standards - but it's not as thirsty as a full-size SUV and it's great for all around utility.
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Will 1:08PM (11/09/2007)
Phil,
You can get good mileage out of that van if you are willing to make some changes to your driving style. http://www.cleanmpg.com/cmps_index.php?page=hypermiling
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Phil L. 4:14PM (11/09/2007)
Will -
I live the in suburban Washington D.C/Baltimore area. Just try most hypermiling techniques on roads in this area, particularly during rush hour (which encompasses most hours of the day in many areas, including weekends). Pulse-and-glide is irresponsible on crowded roads with semis, cell-phone-junkie commuters and racer boys on superbikes. Particularly with 3 kids in the back of the van.
Gentle starts and stops help - I've been able to gain 1 or 2 mpg in my car with this alone. Convincing my wife to do such things regularly in the van has been a non-starter: She's more concerned about being run over by the distracted driver in the SUV behind her.
I've organized my life around a nice short commute: 5 miles. The downside has been my own mileage. It has often been disappointingly low, when compared to my former 20 mile commute. The engine is just warming up when I park, so the ECU spends much of its time in open-loop mode; mileage suffers. Of course, the upside is I only fill the tank once a month or so.
I'd love to find an affordable commuter EV. After much research and eBay shopping, I've sadly come to the conclusion that the EV market has yet to make it to me.
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Kelly O'Brien 3:38PM (11/11/2007)
I'm a mom and these choices are wack! I'll take a Prius with a car seat. I don't need a tank to feel "safe."
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