Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
The Santa Fe Hybrid is another attempt at giving SUV buyers a reprieve from high gas prices. Though sporting few visual changes from a normal Santa Fe, the new hybrid model's gasoline-electric powertrain features a 2.4L engine and 30 kW electric motor under the hood, deriving power from advanced lithium-ion batteries. Hyundai says the hybrid Santa Fe manages an impressive 37 mpg with the help of a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid will also reportedly cut CO2 emissions dramatically to 0.53 lb per mile. The standard Santa Fe, by comparison, is powered by a 2.7L V-6 engine that gets 22 mpg and emits 0.89 lb of CO2 per mile. Production plans have not been announced yet, but the hybrid is expected to go sale next year. There's no word yet on whether the hybrid will come to the U.S., but it seems likely given the current popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles.