Hybrid Defined

• A hybrid vehicle is equipped with a gasoline-powered engine that works in tandem with an electric motor to increase fuel efficiency. The electric motor on most hybrids powers the vehicle’s accessories, such as air-conditioning. The electric motor starts the engine when the brake pedal is depressed. These types of vehicles, which are not propelled by the electric motor, are mild hybrids. Full hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape SUV and Ford Fusion sedan, are full hybrids because they can be powered with an electric motor as well as the conventional gasoline-powered engine.
  
  

Toyota Prius

• The mid-size Toyota Prius consistently ranks high in most safety categories. It features driver and front passenger front, side and rear curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbags and vehicle stability control. The 2004 to 2009 Prius models were ranked “good” in front impact testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also earned “good" for side impact crashes in 2004 to 2010 models. The 2004 to 2006 models without the optional side airbags received a “poor” rating.
  
  

Compact SUVs

• The full hybrid Ford Escape, which is in the compact class, debuted in 2004. Its safety options are relatively standard for an SUV with front and side curtain airbags and all-wheel antilock brakes. It also features Ford’s AdvanceTrac system accompanied by Roll Stability Control. The system employs sensors that measure the motion of the vehicle to allow brake pressure and engine power to be automatically applied to control the vehicle when it suddenly swerves. The Escape received “good” ratings in front and side impact crash testing for 2009 to 2010 models. It was ranked “poor” in roof strength for 2008 to 2010 Escapes.
  
  

Mid-Range Vehicles

• The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size crossover SUV hybrid. The Highlander hybrid appeared in 2005. It’s equipped with numerous safety features, including downhill assist control and front and rear crumple zones engineered to absorb energy in a crash. The Highlander is also equipped with sensors to deactivate the battery in the event of a collision. The IIHS reports that the Highlander earned “good” ratings in front and side crash impact testing. It received a “good” rating for roof strength.
  
  

Luxury and Safety

• The Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid is a newcomer to the hybrid market. It was introduced in 2009. Mercedes claims the ML450 consumes up to 50 percent less fuel than conventional models, but up to 90 percent of the power the Mercedes’ V-8 engine offers. The ML450 was designed not to compromise interior space to accommodate its hybrid technology. The ML450 is among all M-Class models that received “good” ratings from the IIHS in front and side impact crash testing.