When your family is growing and your four-door sedan is becoming too small with the rest of the family (and the dog) inside, it only means one thing: you should replace your sedan with a minivan. Moreover, if you were someone who simply wants to do some good with the environment, make that minivan a hybrid minivan.
The Need for a Hybrid Minivan
A hybrid minivan's roomy interior is the reason why a lot of people, mostly with children, have been wanting for such a car instead of a regular sedan. Also, it has been known that a minivan, hybrid or not, is fuel-efficient as compared to big trucks, SUV's and sedans with 6 cylinders. Although a growing family needs a roomier or bigger car, it doesn't need something that will add up to the family budget (especially for fuel consumption).
Aside from these, a hybrid minivan although is spacious, is light to carry because of its light exterior and aerodynamics.
"Muscled" Hybrids, Not Minivan
Today, there hasn't been any hybrid minivan running the streets of any US states, although other brands have been marketing large SUV's as minivan or an alternative to it. Yet, these "muscled" hybrids are not minivans and don't have the qualities of a true-blue minivan: fuel saver, spacious yet light, and therefore, cannot be labeled as a "hybrid minivan."
On the other side of the coin, muscled hybrids are good, too, especially if you are the outgoing type. Four-wheel drives, SUVs and trucks can run smoothly on rocky, dusty and uneven roads. And in flooded areas, they can move with power, assuring you and your passenger of a safe ride.
The downside of muscled or hybrid trucks is that they are more expensive, consume more fuel and electricity from the battery pack, and are too bulky for city ride.
Toyota's Minivan
The most anticipated brand of hybrid minivan is Toyota, a Japanese car manufacturer. Toyota holds the top spot in terms of sales for hybrid cars in the US. It enjoys 60% market share on the total sales of US hybrid cars.
The two most highly publicized and rated are Toyota's Sienna hybrid and Estima hybrid. These two hybrid minivans are at the top of their class in terms of design, aerodynamics, fuel-efficiency and engine performance.
The Soccer Moms' Fave Hybrid Minivan
Sienna hybrid is a hybrid minivan that soccer moms would love. In fact, even the machismo image of most males won't be stepped on by this well-designed hybrid minivan.
Sienna resembles the design of regular Toyota minivans. The only differences, of course, is the sleeker and more modern look and the dual energy mode of hybrids. Sienna's big brother, Estima hybrid, possesses most of Sienna's positive features, and more.
More Efficient Than Ever
Some car makers have announced redesigns to make the minivan even more fuel efficient than it is now. Although already known to be fuel saver, the redesign allows the hybrid minivan to consume fuel as efficient and as slow as a compact four-door sedan. As per estimate, the latest hybrid van could run efficiently by 35 miles with a single gallon of fuel.
The most interesting and most talked about feature of the most advanced hybrid minivan is its exhaust heat recovery system. According to the manufacturers, this exhaust system allows the recovery of thermal energy that the engine has produced, and routes such energy to heat up the engine coolant.
This process is an effective way to help the engine to warm up even if the car is idle. This way, the energy that would have been wasted (thermal energy from exhaust) has been converted into a positive energy, and thus allows the engine of the hybrid van to shut off earlier and turn on without using up energy from fuel or from the battery pack.
This week at the Chicago Auto Show, GMC unveiled two vehicles that point to a more fuel-efficient future for trucks: The 2009 Sierra Hybrid and the Denali XT concept vehicle.
The Sierra Hybrid represents the first look at a new production model that goes on sale later this year, while the Denali XT – also a hybrid – supposes a new, more efficient direction in truck design. Both are indicative of GMC and General Motors’ commitment to improving fuel economy and reducing the reliance on petroleum.
GM’s patented two-mode hybrid system (the same in the Yukon Hybrid that is already in production) is the motivating force in the Sierra Hybrid, giving it a 25-percent improvement in overall fuel economy. As impressive as that sounds, it is city driving where it really shines. With all-electric drive up to about 30 mph, the Sierra Hybrid can deliver up to 40 percent improved fuel economy in city driving.
And, no, the truck doesn’t sacrifice capability for mpg. It has a payload rating of more than 1,400 pounds and a towing rating of 6,100 pounds. That’s a fuel-efficient reality that will be in the showrooms later this year.
When it comes to hybrid cars, Toyota is king, but Honda has been in the hybrid game about as long as Toyota. However, Honda has never been as bullish as Toyota regarding hybrids. I've always figured that Toyota has taken a more aggressive approach to hybrids because the Hybrid Synergy Drive isn't just powering Toyota's hybrid vehicles, but also Toyota's fuel cell vehicles. That isn't the case for Honda's hybrids.
Today, however, Honda is singing a very different hybrid tune, and the automaker is now preparing to fully take on Toyota and, particularly, the Toyota Prius.
In the past I've preferred Toyota's hybrid vehicles over Honda's because I live in LA and congestion is my only driving condition. In such conditions, a Prius is simply more fuel efficient than the Civic hybrid. Nonetheless, I've always been a big fan of the Civic hybrid.
Thus, I'm incredibly excited about Honda's upcoming hybrid vehicles, set to launch next year. While the Chevy Volt is always the hot topic in Prius-fighting circles, I think Honda's new hybrids are being completely underestimated. The Volt will electrify, but cheap, cost-effective hybrids offer far more potential in the short term, and Honda, I bet, is primed to give Toyota a run for the hybrid money.
Over the past year or so, we've all been trying to divine the intent of the major automakers when it comes to producing a hybrid minivan.
While we've seen a number of new hybrid cars and trucks over the last few years, there still isn't a minivan offered with a hybrid powerplant in North America. Toyota sells the hybrid Previa minivan in Japan, but has yet to announce any plans to bring the Previa here (which is unlikely) or introduce a hybrid engine for the Toyota Sienna.
In the interim, there are a number of minivan options that will save you money on fuel costs. These alternatives may not match the mileage figures of hybrid vehicles, but they will help you save a few dollars over the long run. For additional information on fuel-saving minivans, check our our Top 5 Minivans with Good Gas Mileage article.
2008 Honda Odyssey with VCM2
The updated 2008 Honda Odyssey now offers an available 6-cylinder with an revised version of Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. The old version of VCM could shut off 3 cylinders under light engine load conditions to save fuel; the new version can turn off 3 or 4 cylinders, allowing the system to better match driving conditions and power demands. The result should shave at least a MPG or two off the Odyssey's already impressive fuel economy figures.
EPA MPG City: 19 Highway: 26 (2007 data, 1st Gen VCM)
Mazda5
We reviewed a Mazda5 Touring compact minivan late last year, and found it to be a perfect vehicle for people looking for the convenience of a minivan in a slightly smaller form factor. The smaller size may not work for some people, but for people with smaller families who may live in an urban environment--where the Mazda5's smaller dimensions can pay dividends when parking or navigating narrow streets--the Mazda5 is worth a look.
EPA MPG City: 22 Highway: 27 (2007 data)
Kia Rondo
It is an SUV, or a crossover? A compact minivan, or a tall wagon? Heated discussions over vehicle classification aside, the Kia Rondo--like the Mazda5--can be a good alternative to larger and more fuel-thirsty minivans. It lacks the sliding doors common on most minivans, but the Rondo still fits comfortably into the compact minivan category.
EPA MPG City: 21 Highway: 29 (4 cyl, 2007 data)
With rising gas prices forcing drivers to dig ever deeper into their wallets to cover fuel costs, finding a vehicle with excellent fuel economy has suddenly become a top priority for many people. Minivan owners are no exception, although most minivan models get better mileage than many SUVs and other large vehicles. That said, who wants to spend the price of a nice dinner for two whenever they gas up their minivan?
While passenger cars with hybrid engines (powerplants that use a small gasoline engine in conjunction with an electric motor and other fuel-efficient technologies to boost fuel economy) have started popping up all over the nation's highways, none of the minivan models currently available for sale in the United States are available with a hybrid engine option. Toyota has been a leader in the development and sale of hybrid passenger vehicles, and even has a hybrid minivan -- the Toyota Estima -- that is sold in Japan. Hopefully Toyota will introduce a hybrid minivan model here in the states, perhaps in end 2008 or 2009.
While you may have to wait a year or two for hybrid minivans to appear at local dealer showrooms, minivan devotees do have a number of fuel-efficient and alternative fuel options available to them.
The Toyota Alphard Hybrid Minivan is the sixth hybrid vehicle offered by Toyota (rolled out in 2003) and only in the Japanese market at this time.
The Toyota Alphard Hybrid Minivan sports the Toyota Hybrid System-CVT (or THS-C as they like to call it) including a 2.4-litre gasoline engine, front and rear electric motors, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), high-output hybrid battery pack and an E-Four electric four-wheel drive system.
According to Toyota, "The E-Four electric 4WD system provides better driving performance by using power from the rear-wheel drive motor to optimize electric power distribution to all four wheels according to driving conditions. It provides additional drive power when needed, such as when accelerating from a standing start or on slippery surfaces."
Toyota goes on to say the it's the "E-Four electric 4WD system that regulates a rear-mounted, rear-wheel-propelling electric motor and coordinates electric power distribution to all four wheels. An ECB (Electrically Controlled Brake system) provides efficient wheel-by-wheel brake control."
The full-size Alphard Hybrid Minivan qualifies as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV), achieving levels 75-percent lower emissions than the Japanese government's 2000 benchmark. The 2.4-litre gasoline engine has been developed specifically for use in Toyota's hybrid systems and features a high-expansion ratio cycle that raises efficiency and reduces friction.
The Alphard Hybrid uses "by-wire" technology, that monitors brake pedal pressure and vehicle speed in order to calculate the optimum hydraulic pressure. By-wire works with the E-Four to maximize the collection of kinetic energy from braking for conversion into electric power.
The Alphard Hybrid Minivan can generate up to 1,500 watts and is equipped with standard 100-volt AC power outlets, allowing a wide range of appliances to be used, such as laptops and emergency lights. The electrical outlets can also be used to recharge items such as power-assisted bicycles and electric carts, adding a new dimension to leisure activities.
The Alphard Hybrid also offers some advanced safety features not seen on other hybrids. In fact, standard on the "G edition" and optional on standard grades are ( with a G-BOOK compatible DVD voice navigation system):
1. Blind Corner Monitor, which indicates the approach of other vehicles or pedestrians from the left and right
2. Back Guide Monitor with a color CCD camera and voice-guidance function, which uses signals from a steering sensor to calculate the likely reverse path during reversing and display it on the monitor screen
3. Lane-monitoring system that uses images from the Back Guide Monitor camera to measure the lateral distance to white or yellow lines on major highways and triggers an alarm when the distance falls below a pre-set level
4. Radar Cruise Control, which uses laser radar sensors and steering sensors to keep track of the vehicle's lane and any preceding vehicle and ensures that a safe distance is maintained in accordance with vehicle speed
In addition, optional on all grades is a built-in electronic toll collection unit that allows for quick tollgate pass-through (only available with a navigation system).
The Alphard Hybrid achieves approximately 42 mpg and boasts an insulated body and newly developed two-way compressor that is incorporated in the motor to optimize the use of the air conditioner, conserving fuel. The Alphard Hybrid's specially developed windshield glass also reduces the amount of solar radiation penetration. In addition, the roof and roof panels contain an insulating material to reduce cabin temperature, which helps conserve energy when the air conditioner is operating.
With new hybrid cars and SUVs now being released in the United States, there are many people who are wondering if there is a hybrid minivan on the horizon too. While the cars are great and extremely popular, many people need the convenience of a minivan for hauling their kids around. So, is there a hybrid minivan on the horizon? Well, it appears that a hybrid minivan has already been released in Japan and that there are environmental groups that are hoping that the minivans come on over to the United States as well.
The Toyota Estima Hybrid Minivan Already in Use in Japan
The Toyota Estima hybrid minivan has already been introduced in the country of Japan and it is being used as well. This was introduced in Japan back in 2001 and it was the very first hybrid minivan to be created. The new minivan looks great and it also provide great performance and fuel economy as well. This minivan was actually the first vehicle that has been mass produced to use a unique four wheel driving system that is totally electric. The starting price in Japan is about $32,000, which really is not a bad deal for what you get.
Environmental Groups Want Hybrid Minivans in the U.S.
Since a hybrid minivan has already been released in Japan, there are now environmental groups that want this new minivan to be sold in the United States as well. They feel that having hybrid minivans well help to boost fuel economy, reduce the amount of fuel consumed, and that the environment will be preserved as well. One group, the Union of Concerned Scientists, has actually started a petition with Toyota to have them bring their hybrid minivan from Japan to the United States as well.
Hybrid Minivans Will Help Families Financially
For those who have larger families and need the convenience of a mini van, having a hybrid minivan could really help out financially. Most minivans are very expensive to drive around with the price of gas; however, the hybrid minivan would not use as much gas, which would save many families a huge amount of money.
So, will we see the hybrid minivan in America in the next few years? More than likely we will see these new minivans sold, especially with the huge demand that there seems to be for these minivans to be sold on American soil.
With all the styles of cars coming out in hybrid versions, choices in hybrid minivan are still in short supply. One has to wonder why the automakers are focused on making sedans, SUVs and the like, but not minivans. These modern versions of the old station wagons are a practical mainstay for growing families, with their storage space and ample seating options.
Toyota was rumored to be releasing a hybrid version of its Sienna minivan in 2008, but it does not seem to be available yet. They have released a hybrid Estima, a smaller minivan than the Sienna, in Japan only. In fact, they made the first Estima hybrid way back in 2001, then completely redesigned it in 2007. Hopefully one of these vehicles will hit the North American market within a few years.
The Estima available in Japan has seating for eight passengers, and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds. It is reported to be comfortable and have roomy storage, as well as being a reliable vehicle. The newer ones have a high output, high efficiency, four-cylinder, 2.4 liter engine.
Toyota has led the way in hybrid vehicles, with the Prius car being the most economical hybrid vehicle available in North America. They also have the Camry, a bit roomier car, and the Highlander, a sport utility vehicle, available in hybrid.
So as of right now, the US minivan buyer has a choice between an economical non-hybrid minivan or a small SUV. The best gas mileage you can get with a minivan is the Mazda 5, which has a rating of 22 mpg in the city and 28 miles per gallon for highway driving. These figures are for the model with standard 5-speed manual transmission and a four cylinder engine. Prices start at $17,995 for this six passenger family vehicle.
Contrast that to the Ford Escape Hybrid, which seats five, but gets 34 miles to the gallon in the city and 30 on the highway. If you do mostly highway driving, you could get by just about as well with the non-hybrid Mazda. Of course, there may be tax incentives for buying a hybrid, but the starting price is a lot more, at about $26,000.
Hybrids are tempting, but remember that they really are more helpful for those who live in the city than for those who live in the country, at least for the time being. Country families are still better off with a small minivan like the Mazda 5. Almost all other minivans get about 16 miles to the gallon in town and 23 miles to the gallon on the highway. Other flex fuel minivans are available that can burn ethanol. Among these is the Chevy Uplander.
It seems amazing that of all classes of vehicle, minivans are the last to emerge on the North American scene as hybrids. Hopefully the automakers will get on the ball and provide the hybrid minivans that everyone is waiting for before much longer.
A hybrid minivan and a gasoline minivan have many similarities, yet they also have many differences. Minivans are popular among parents. In general, a gasoline minivan provides the room of an SUV with the gasoline usage of a car. They are the best of both world's.
People choose a minivan more for its function then for anything else, but auto manufacturers have been trying to slowly help make minivans look more appealing to consumers. When SUV's suddenly took over the market because of their tough looks, minivans saw a fierce competitor.
Soccer moms all around were trading in their minivan for a SUV. However, soon after the great rise of the SUV, people started looking into hybrids as a great solution to the problems of high gas and automobile pollution.
Hybrid SUV's have so far been able to only master saving the environment, bit saving gas. That is bringing people back around to the hybrid minivan.
The hybrid minivan does not have the weight issues of the hybrid SUV. Electric motors do not have the power to pull heavy loads or to be able to move a heavy vehicle as well as a gasoline engine, so in a hybrid SUV the gasoline engine has to work more, thus making gas mileage not much of an improvement over gasoline SUV's.
With the hybrid minivan, though, weight is less of an issue, so manufacturers have been able to improve gas mileage while also making the emissions less in the minivan.
People who are wanting a good sized vehicle that offers both good gas mileage and less pollution, should take a look at a hybrid minivan. Over the gas minivan it has the advantage of providing more miles to the gallon of gasoline. It also produces far less harmful emissions that are dangerous and damaging to the environment.
A hybrid minivan is a great choice for a family vehicle. Manufacturers are providing hybrid minivans that are very comparable to gas minivans. They have the same features, luxuries and looks of the gas minivans, so consumers are giving up nothing but a high gas bill and getting a peace of mind that they are doing something good for the environment.
In a world where our earth's fragile existence is becoming more and more real, hybrid minivans are providing us with some chance to do more for our planet. Choosing a hybrid minivan over a gas minivan is one step towards freeing our country from dependence upon foreign oil, too.
The Estima Hybrid Minivan is the world's first hybrid minivan and first mass-produced hybrid 4-wheel drive vehicle. The Estima Hybrid was the second hybrid rolled out by Toyota with the Prius being the first.
The Estima Hybrid is the smallest of Toyota's line of hybrid minivans but has a unique safety feature built into the hull. The Estima Hybrid uses a pedestrian-injury-lessening body designed to minimize pedestrian head and leg injury in the event of a collision. Wow, what a feeling!
Back to serious business and the Alphard Hybrid, which is a larger hybrid minivan only sold in Japan. The Alphard Hybrid was rolled out in 2003 in the Osaka region and sports a 2.4-litre gasoline engine, front and rear electric motors, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), high-output hybrid battery pack and an E-Four electric four-wheel drive system.
The Alphard Hybrid uses an E-Four electric 4WD system that provides better driving performance by using power from the rear-wheel drive motor to optimize electric power distribution to all four wheels. The Alphard Hybrid is classified as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) and comes in at approximately 42 mpg.
The Sienna Hybrid will be the first hybrid-powered minivan to peel out in the U. S. marketplace. Rumor has it that the Sienna Hybrid may contain the same hybrid power-train system as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and if so, the Sienna Hybrid will sport a 3.3-liter DOHC 24-valve VVT-i V6 gasoline engine combined with a high-torque electric engine delivering upwards of 270 hp. Fuel economy also could reach the low 40-mpg range.
All three Toyota hybrid minivans use regenerative braking, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offer 1,500 watts of auxiliary 100-volt power available via electrical sockets. This auxiliary power will be useful for appliances such as laptops or for emergency purposes.
With hybrid cars, trucks and SUV's currently rolling out in the U. S. marketplace, it seems that the time is ripe to roll out a hybrid minivan as well. If Toyota does success in rolling out the first hybrid minivan in the U. S. it will be but another first in a long line of firsts for Toyota in the hybrid arena.
One of the reasons why hybrid mini vans are so popular is because they are great for a number of purposes, such as group travel, family vacations, and just everyday use. The space, streamlined appearance, and relatively low energy consumption/emissions, which hybrid mini vans offer, are some of their most appealing features. Hybrid mini vans also tend to be safer than other types of vehicles. For sure, some of the best hybrid mini vans are produced in Japan. The Japanese unique manufacturing/management style, coupled with their gift for continuous technological innovation and improvement, has meant that their vehicle manufacturing industry is one of the largest in the world. With this in mind, it is no surprise that most hybrid mini van purchasers prefer to buy a Japanese hybrid mini van rather than any others.
A Toyota hybrid mini van is regarded as one of the best models that is currently on the market. Though it has yet to be introduced to the U.S. market, the Toyota Sienna hybrid mini van is set to be one of the best-selling hybrid mini vans on the market. Aside from the Toyota Sienna hybrid mini van, the Toyota Estima and Alphard mini vans are also very popular. At this point, it is worth mentioning that the Alphard and Estima mini vans will only be offered in the Japanese market. Apparently, there are many great features that will be incorporated into the Toyota Sienna hybrid mini van. There has been much speculation and expectation about its U.S. launch date.
Vehicle purchasing statistics show that an increasing number of people are purchasing hybrid mini vans. As such, the market for hybrid mini vans is one that is rapidly growing. The market for these types of vehicles is also becoming more competitive. This means that the market is characterised by a large number of hybrid mini van manufacturers who engage in extensive advertising campaigns and “price cutting.” The hybrid mini van market can also be described as one that flourishes on continuous research and development. In order to gain higher percentages of the overall market share, hybrid mini van manufacturers have to engage in constant research and development. The reason why continuous innovation is necessary is because it will enable hybrid mini van manufacturers to keep one step ahead of the competition. Manufacturers are fully aware that hybrid mini van purchasers are always looking out for newer and more technologically advanced hybrid mini van models.
Since new models of hybrid mini vans are constantly being introduced to the market, the most popular hybrid mini van model today can become more or less obsolete in a matter of months. All this implies that there is a wide assortment of hybrid mini vans that prospective purchasers can select from. Being able to choose from a wide selection of hybrid mini vans has the obvious advantage of increasing consumers’ chances of obtaining the minivan that meets their exact requirements and preferences. On the other hand, the glut of hybrid mini van brands and models on the market can also make it rather difficult for consumers to make a purchasing decision. So, when looking to purchase a hybrid mini van, prospective buyers will invariably need some assistance and guidance. There is also no doubt that the key to obtaining the most suitable mini van at an affordable price is to do a lot of research and shopping around.
In terms of seeking advice and guidance on which hybrid mini van to purchase, buyers can read relevant auto magazines and other related weekly publications. However, the best place to start your search for mini van information is on the Internet. This is because the Internet is certainly the most convenient and quickest way of obtaining such information. By simply typing in the relevant keywords in a reliable Internet search engine, prospective hybrid mini van purchasers will be presented with an assortment of hybrid mini van sites, resources, and advertisements. There are also price comparison and review sites that buyers can visit. Such sites allow visitors to compare and contrast the mini van prices of a large number of manufacturers and dealers. The comprehensive customer reviews and expert articles will certainly help buyers make a more informed purchasing decision.