The hybrid premium

	Add newsletters@cnet.online.com to your address book | View online   Car Tech       Share on Facebook  |  Share on Twitter May 04, 2012     Wayne Cunningham Senior editor Profile Email The hybrid premium Conventional wisdom says that hybrid cars cost a bit more than their gasoline equivalents. Given the extra equipment built into the cars, the high-voltage battery and drive motor, the price premium makes perfect sense. But how much exactly is this premium? We look at a number of midsize sedans, and a few luxury SUVs, comparing the base purchase prices with those of equivalent gasoline models. We found this comparison to be less than straightforward, as the hybrid models often had more power than the gasoline models. And while the premium exists in most cases, the new Buick LaCrosse turns it on its head. Read more | Share on Facebook        2012 Mercedes-Benz ML550 4Matic The 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML550 4Matic isn't perfect, but it does offer a good blend of tech, performance, and luxury. However, its diesel-powered sibling is probably the better bargain.  More | Share on Facebook          2013 Lexus GS 350 The 2013 Lexus GS 350 makes for a convincing high-tech cruiser. With the F Sport package, it has some real performance chops, although it falls short of a BMW M or a Mercedes-Benz AMG.  More | Share on Facebook          2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is a competent highway cruiser with a good baseline of cabin tech, but its eAssist mild-hybrid system doesn't really deliver the miles per gallon.  More | Share on Facebook          2012 Toyota Prius C As the latest member of the Prius family, the 2012 Toyota Prius C shows off a very modern, high-tech cabin, along with excellent fuel economy, in a size city dwellers will find easy to park.  More | Share on Facebook          2012 Mini Cooper Coupe John Cooper Works Love or hate its styling, the 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe John Cooper Works is easily one of the best-performing front-wheel-drive cars we've tested. Unfortunately, it's also priced about $10,000 too high.  More | Share on Facebook        Get your favorite CNET editors. To go. Send the free app to your smartphone or iPad. Get it now.    Comment of the week: Paranoia edition   As much as I like the *idea* of OnStar, I don't want it. It's kind of creepy having a system that knows wherever you are at any time and can listen in on you without your knowledge from their call center (that feature is used during accidents where the driver can't activate the system themselves and is used during criminal investigations). Sure that might be paranoid sounding but it is what it is.  Read full quote Posted by "syncerror" on OnStar FMV drops to $99 including installation   Popular reviews   2012 Ford Focus Titanium     2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Premium     2012 BMW 328i     2013 Volkswagen CC     2012 Range Rover Evoque     Top tech cars   2012 Audi A7     2012 Nissan GT-R     2011 BMW M3 Coupe     2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe     2011 Jaguar XJ Supersport   Connect with us on:              The e-mail address for this newsletter is boy.blogger@gmail.com To update your account, please visit our Newsletter subscription center. Unsubscribe from this e-mail | Newsletter help | Privacy policy Copyright 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. CBS Interactive, 235 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, U.S.A.