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I am thinking about buying a hybrid car, but I'm not sure which one to purchase.  Nowadays there are a few options to choose from, and it seems like there are more on the way.  I'm not a speed demon, but I also don't want to drive a go-kart.  I don't need tons of seating or cargo space, but again, I dont want to drive a go-kart.  Something in the middle would be nice I think.

Price is an issue, but not the largest one to me. I would rather spend a little more money up front if I knew that I am getting a better vehicle or more value in the long run.

What hybrid car would you suggest?

What would you guys buy if you were going to buy a hybrid?
 

Good question xceller.

I think I would choose the 2006 Lexus RX400h.  What do you think of this one?  It's a medium sized SUV, with 268 horsepower, and a whole bunch of standard equipment that makes it a luxury vehicle.  I've always liked the Lexus RX body styling too.   The pricing isn't cheap, coming in at about $43,000.  

What do you think of this one?
 

Here is good list of the available hybrid cars, and some of the models that are due out soon.

Unfortunately, I think alot of the better models are not available yet.  If you can wait a little while to buy one you will more options and better ones.  That link above mentions that soon we will have a hybrid Lexus GS, Nissan Altima, as well as some nice hybrid SUVs like the GMC Yukon and Toyota Highlander.

I'm not sure what I would buy if pressed...maybe the Ford Escape Hybrid.  It's a nice SUV, looks good, decent size, and it comes in about $10,000 cheaper than the Lexus RX400h.
 

I think I'd go with the Honda Accord Hybrid.  I've heard nothing but good reviews of this hybrid.
 

Except mine.

I messed up; in my analysis at the bottom I should have used 26 MPG as the assumption, not 28. Consumer Reports got even worse: 25 overall.

My main points is that the Accord makes a good car, but a medicore hybrid, for two reasons:
1. Honda's primitive hybrid system ("IMA") doesn't save that much gas... maybe 5 MPG, tops, in the Accord's case
2. By using a V6, it starts from a point of wastefulness

The Ford Escape ain't the best at anything either.  Like the Accord, it averages about 26.  A Civic could beat that with a cylinder missing.

Xceller if you're a long-term thinker, extend that to the buying process and wait. There ain't much new for 2006 (just the RX400h + Highlander) but 2007 and 2008 bring an onslaught of legit hybrids: Camry, Corolla, Fusion, Malibu, Altima, GM trucks, and possibly a Porsche.