2007 Toyota Camry LE

In essence, the Accord Hybrid was the automotive equivalent of having one's cake and eating it too. With 255 hp, it was the swiftest Accord in the lineup. Yet it sipped less fuel than the four-cylinder model.

At nearly $40,000, the Accord Hybrid was also an expensive piece of cake. Honda cites the weak sales that resulted as one of the main reasons it decided to stop making it.

So what's an eco-friendly driving enthusiast to do now?

Don't fret. Entries from Nissan, Toyota and Saturn are here to vie for the retiring Accord's title as the hybrid family sedan for drivers:

2007 Saturn Aura Green Line

Even though its rivals benefit from $3,500 of federal and Ontario government rebates, at $27,290, Saturn's "mild" hybrid is still the most affordable of this trio.

"Mild" means the Aura can't run on electric juice alone.

Its 2.4-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine is aided by an electric motor-generator only when called upon. And even then, it can only muster a combined 164 hp and 159 lb.-ft. of torque, producing the weakest power-to-weight ratio here.

Mild could also describe the Aura's savings at the pump.

Based on a test route that was three-quarters urban driving, the Saturn is rated at 8.5 L/100 km in city driving and 6.2 highway, with an as-tested number of 9.7 – the thirstiest hybrid here

As a driver's car, the Saturn falls somewhere in between the cushy Camry and the athletic Altima. The Aura's accurate steering and well-controlled ride are highlights. It's also luxury-car quiet on highways.

Too bad the Aura's urban driving experience suffers from all the noise and commotion when the engine stop-and-start function is working. And with only four gears in the auto gearbox, there are large gaps between shifts.

WHY BUY? Relatively low price, almost one-third more trunk space than Camry or Altima hybrids.

WHY NOT? The least refined drivetrain that's also down on power and fuel savings.

GAS-ONLY ALTERNATIVE: 2007 Saturn Aura XR $24,990

2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

At $32,000, the Toyota offers an excellent balance between performance, fuel economy and convenience features. Among these three hybrids, the Camry is a genuine value.

The 45 hp electric motor in the Toyota's drivetrain is shared with the Nissan. In the Camry, it's mated to a 147 hp 2.4 L gasoline four. Torque, at 199 lb.-ft. matches the Altima. But the Camry's combined horsepower is six less at 192.

At 5.7 L/100 km in both city and highway driving, and 7.9 as-tested, the Camry best delivers on the hybrid promise of thriftiness at the pumps.

Like the Nissan, Toyota uses a continuously variable transmission. Unlike the Altima, the Camry's CVT acts like it has only one, long gear. However, the conversion between electric and gas modes is the least intrusive here.

Numbers aside, the Camry possesses the roomiest cabin and the quietest, smoothest and most relaxing driving characteristics of this trio. But what about the Toyota as a hybrid for drivers?

If the Camry Hybrid rolled less in corners, produced less understeer, didn't wallow as much and had some (any!) kind of feel at its helm, it would have easily garnered first place.

WHY BUY? Quiet, roomy cabin, lots of features, highly refined and efficient hybrid powertrain.

WHY NOT? Small trunk, sensory deprivation driving chamber.

GAS-ONLY ALTERNATIVE: 2007 Toyota Camry LE $25,900

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Having a hybrid powerplant doesn't seem to have diminished Nissan's aspirations with its Altima. It's still one of the better driving front-wheel-drive sedans.

All the vigorous sports sedan attributes that are found in the gasoline-only Altimas – sharp steering, taut suspension, balanced handling, enthusiastic performance – are all present and accounted for in the hybrid version as well.

For the additional $998 Nissan charges over the Toyota, you also get the top performance numbers with the Nissan.

The Nissan combines the Toyota-sourced electrical motor with the largest gasoline four-banger here: a 2.5 L unit. With a combined 198 hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque, plus the lightest curb weight, feel free to call the Altima the hot rod of hybrids.

As Toyota leads the way in hybrid drivetrain refinement, Nissan plays the same role for CVTs. Unlike the Camry, the Altima's transmission will shift up before it starts to rev too high, and it's more obedient when you request a down shift.

What really helps, from a driver's perspective, is Nissan's dialing-in of fake gear changes. It gives the CVT a more natural feel.

With the Altima's fun-to-drive leanings – guess what? Its 5.6 L/100 km in city driving and 5.9 highway, with an as-tested number of 8.8, can't match Camry's stingy ways.

The Nissan's rear seat backs don't fold, while it's also the noisiest hybrid sedan here. Consider these nits to pick if you're an eco-friendly driving enthusiast.

And note: pack plenty of napkins in your Altima Hybrid for all that cake you'll be eating.

WHY BUY? Sports sedan steering, suspension, and performance.

WHY NOT? Limited cargo room, sports sedan road noise.

GAS-ONLY ALTERNATIVE: 2007 Nissan Altima S + CVT $25,598

Dear good friends:

Two months ago, you came to me with a shortlist of two hybrid vehicles: Toyota's Highlander and Camry. You asked for advice, and I gave it honestly.

Without missing a beat, I told you to upgrade your Prius to the Highlander.

There were a few reasons. You're a young couple, only 31 years apiece, you're hip and have a sprawling three-storey condo, with a sparkling new black granite kitchen, in Toronto's St. Lawrence Market area (you can't get much more urban than that).

The top reason I told you to go for the Highlander over the Camry is because there's a new baby on the way. I was sure it would be easier to stuff "Buggles" into his trendy Bugaboo stroller-cum-car seat, without hitting your head, if you had the increased headroom of an SUV.

But you didn't take my advice.

You test-drove the Highlander Hybrid and said, "It's nice," but you gushed when you told me you took home a Magnetic Grey Metallic Camry Hybrid.

It's a rite of passage, I thought at first, to upgrade to a family car. We're getting older. We don't go clubbing anymore. Instead, we go to expensive restaurants and splurge on wine from 1996 that we think will compliment our osso bucco.

Ultimately though, I thought you were too young, urban, upscale and stylish for a Camry.

Until I drove the Camry Hybrid and pretended, for a week, that I owned it.

The Camry is the Toyota that's bringing hybrid technology to the mainstream.

Simply put: It's doing your small part for the environment without wearing your green pride on your sleeve.

Discretion is assured with the Camry Hybrid. There are a few giveaways that your ride isn't just a regular Camry. A "Hybrid" badge sits atop each front wheel. A metal-plated grille and unique headlamps (only a diehard Camry fan can tell the difference) up front and a small "Hybrid Synergy Drive" emblem at the rear are the only other clues.

Like the Prius, there's a start button rather than a key hole. And the car ignites without a peep, which is why you need to doublecheck that "Ready" light on the instrument panel.

The best part about the hybrid Camry is that you don't have to give up a lot of power or amenities to be eco-chic.

Toyota boasts that its traditional Camry, fitted with a gasoline V6 engine, and the hybrid, go head-to-head in terms of performance. The hybrid is fitted with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor for an output equivalent to 187 horsepower.

But it feels much different. The 3.5 L V6 Camry makes 268 hp and 248 lb.-ft. of torque. Motor Trend magazine says that the gas-powered car can go from 0 to 96 km/h in 6.1 seconds. Toyota says the hybrid version takes 8.9 seconds to get up to 100 km/h.

If you're shopping for a mid-sized family car that goes fast, you'll probably want to steer clear of the Camry Hybrid. Off the line, it's slow – although not as slow as the Prius. Once it is off to a good start, however, you hear the gas engine kick in and it's got a good boost of passing power for the highway.

Unlike the Prius and the Lexus RX 400h, the transition between gas and electricity is flawless. The only way you'll know if you're motoring along under power of the gasoline engine or electric motor, or both, is to check the centre of the speedometer. (I prefer, however, watching fuel consumption graphs go up and down on the big screen in the Prius.)

The ride and handling are land-yacht-like and typical of what you'd expect from a Camry. This is a car you buy because of its practicality as a fuel-efficient vehicle with room for five, not for the thrill of the ride.

When it came to the trunk space, I got a little nervous for you. A baby travels with a large entourage of stuff, and the battery setup for the hybrid takes up a lot of cargo space. The hybrid gets 300 litres of storage room, while the non-hybrid gets nearly a third more: 425 litres.

Inside the cabin, there's no compromise. Two sit comfortably up front, fabric seats are standard but leather is available with the B Package ($3,680), which also includes heated chairs, a power-adjustable passenger seat, power sunroof and illuminated vanity mirrors.

There are lots of standard goodies, too. Count power door locks, driver's seat, heated and powered mirrors, cruise control and a smart key that's fitted with a sensor to unlock the door while the key is still in your pocket. There's also an electric air conditioner that functions even when the engine is turned off.

The third row generously provides room for three and a trio of head restraints. The bench chair splits and folds 60/40, which is useful despite that battery hunkered down in the trunk.

Perhaps the best part of the test week in the Camry Hybrid was never having to stop for gas. After 500 km of everyday driving, I still had about 230 km worth of fuel left in the 65-litre tank. That's more than 700 km on a single tank of gas.

And, get this: For once, a hybrid is a better deal than its fuel-consuming counterpart. The Camry Hybrid starts at $32,000 (not including the $1,500 federal rebate). The XLE V6 is $37,525, although, in fairness, the gas-powered four-cylinder Camry starts at $25,900.

There's more to the story than thirtysomethings buying Camrys. It's the young, the urban and hip buying into a hybrid lifestyle.

The hybrid family sedan is the "It" vehicle of the moment – for all ages. And it's here to stay.

aforgeron@rogers.com

PRICE: $25,800/$26,605/$29,400/$32,010/$37,425

VEHICLE: 4-dr. 5-pass. sedan FWD

STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Engine 2.4 L4 DOHC/^/3.5 V6 DOHC/^/^ HP 158 @ 6000/^/268 @ 6200/^/^Torque (lb-ft) 161 @ 4000/^/248 @ 4700/^/^ Trans. 5A/5M/6MM/^/^ Brakes Disc-DiscTires 215/60R16 / 215/55R17 / 215/60R16 / 215/55R17 / 215/60R16

SPECIFICATIONS - mm (in.): WB 2775 (109.3) L 4805 (189.2) W 1820 (71.7) H 1460 (57.5) Curb Weight - kg (lb.) 1500/1490/1570/1580/1595 (3307/3285/3461/3483/3516)Cargo Capacity - L (ft3) 425 (15.0)Fuel Tank - L (gal.) 70 (15.4) Fuel Grade - Reg

CONSUMPTION - L/100 km (mpg): City 9.8/9.6/10.7/^/^ (29/^/26/^/^) Hwy 6.5/6.4/7.0/^/^ (43/44/40/^/^)

SAFETY: ABS(f/r) std Side Airbags std TCS none/^/^/std/^

POPULAR OPTIONS: Trans. none/5A/none/^/^ A/C std Cruise std Sunroof opt/^/^/^/std CD std

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155-hp, 2.4-litre inline four as standard. The alternative V6 on the Sport and SLE trim levels is still the same 3.3-litre unit, now rated at 210 hp.

PRICE: $29,200/$33,400/$36,975

VEHICLE: 2-dr. 5-pass. coupe FWD

STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Engine 2.4 L4 DOHC/3.3 V6 DOHC/^ HP 155 @ 6000/210 @ 5600/^ Torque (lb-ft) 158 @ 4000/220 @ 3600/^ Trans. 5MMBrakes Disc-Disc Tires 215/60R16 / 215/55R17 / ^

SPECIFICATIONS - mm (in.): WB 2720 (107.0) L 4890 (192.5) W 1815 (71.5) H 1425 (56.1) Curb Weight - kg (lb.) 1465/1550/1560 (3230/3417/3439)Cargo Capacity - L (ft3) 390 (13.8) Fuel Tank - L (gal.) 70 (15.4) Fuel Grade - Reg

CONSUMPTION - L/100 km (mpg): City 9.5/11.5/^ (30/25/^) Hwy 6.3/7.3/^ (45/39/^)

SAFETY: ABS(f/r) std Side Airbags std TCS none/^/std

POPULAR OPTIONS: Trans. none A/C std Cruise std Sunroof none/std/^ CD std

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PRICE: $31,900

VEHICLE: 4-dr. 5-pass. sedan FWD

STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Engine 2.4 L4 DOHC & electric motor HP 147 @ 6000 gas; 40 @ 1500 electric Torque (lb-ft) 138 @ 4400 gas; 199 @1500 electric Trans. CVT Brakes Disc-Disc Tires 215/60R16

SPECIFICATIONS - mm (in.): WB 2775 (109.3) L 4805 (189.2) W 1820 (71.7) H 1460 (57.5) Curb Weight - kg (lb.) 1669 (3680) Cargo Capacity - L (ft3) 300 (10.6)Fuel Tank - L (gal.) 65 (14.3) Fuel Grade - Reg

CONSUMPTION - L/100 km (mpg): City 5.7 (50) Hwy 5.7 (50)

SAFETY: ABS(f/r) std Side Airbags std TCS std

POPULAR OPTIONS: Trans. none A/C std Cruise std Sunroof opt CD std

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