In recent years, car buyers (Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com or Cars.com) have enjoyed a burst of new hybrid choices. In 1999, Honda's Insight became the first hybrid to hit American soil. And there was little doubt that the Insight was different from other cars. From the 1.0 liter engine to its limited cargo capacity and two passenger limit, everything about the Insight was small. That smallness also translated to less-than-ideal performance, particularly when passing or driving up a steep incline.

First-Generation

There was also no mistaking the Insight; its distinctive design made it easily recognizable as a hybrid. Thanks to celebrity owners like Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz, the Toyota Prius is probably the most famous hybrid. And it too is a brand all its own.

Familiar Names

Yet today the trend is not to create separate hybrid models, but to make hybrid versions of popular models. Most of today's new hybrids are simply more fuel efficient versions of well-known names. Honda offers a hybrid Civic and the Accord is part of the hybrid class of 2005. Interestingly, the Accord hybrid goes from 0 to 60 mph a full second faster than the non-hybrid V6 Accord.

SUVs

The emergence of hybrids has combined with the increasing popularity of smaller SUVs, sometimes called crossovers. Crossovers offer the ruggedness and off-road capabilities of the larger SUVs, but also have performance more reminiscent of a car. The first product of this merger is the hybrid version of the Ford Escape. It is visually indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterpart and Ford claims that performance features, such as acceleration, will be similar to its all-gas Escape. However, the hybrid Escape's 0 to 60 time is a couple of seconds slower than its all gas V6 counterpart. Still, car buyers can have the look and much of the performance of an SUV and still enjoy fuel efficiency of 33-mpg city, 29 highway. (City driving is more fuel-efficient because the vehicle relies on electric power at lower speeds. Also, consumers should not rely solely on advertised fuel efficiency. Consumer Reports has discovered that actual fuel efficiency of some hybrid models may be roughly 25 percent less than advertised.)

Even Bigger

If the mix of red-meat SUV and green hybrid seems odd, you ain'’t seen nothing yet. Hybrid versions of the some of the biggest and baddest autos on the road are coming to a dealer near you. Imagine a hybrid version of the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra or a hybrid Dodge Ram. Both are new additions to the hybrid class of 2005.

Toyota's 2005 Highlander hybrid will be the very first seven-passenger hybrid SUV. It offers a combined fuel efficiency of 28 mpg and can drive over 600 miles on a single tank of gas. And speaking of firsts, beginning in 2005 Lexus will offer the first luxury hybrid SUV. But again, it will have the feel of familiarity. The 2005 RX 400h is simply the hybrid version of the popular RX 330.

With so many kinds of hybrids to choose from (Cars.com), it's no wonder many new car dealerships have long waiting lists of people anxious to ditch their all-gas wheels.