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Welcome to the main garage! In case you are reading this article, there is a high probability that you have finally made up your mind about saving your money from going down the drain every single time you fill up your tank. The only problem is choosing the perfect hybrid.

Twenty years ago, things were quite simple. You got yourself a Toyota Prius, accepted its alien look and everything was fine.

But today things look quite different. The market has absolutely exploded! All the biggest automobile manufacturers offer hybrids – sedans, SUVs, even pick-ups with enough batteries to run your entire house when winter electricity black-out occurs. Great time to go shopping! But still very confusing – especially when you try to determine how any of these vehicles will withstand a Calgary winter.
What to Expect From These Reviews
This is exactly why I compiled this guide. You can think of this page as your personal menu of hybrid vehicles. In the following, you will see separate guides for all of the main brands that drive our roads here in Canada—Toyota, Honda, Ford, Hyundai, and others.

Why do I say that these guides are special compared to the rest of the Internet? If you need a dull listing of technical information such as the number of horsepower and cargo space capacity, then simply go ahead and print a brochure from the dealer.

When I dive into a specific brand or model, I’m looking at the real-world stuff:

Does the all-wheel-drive (AWD) system actually handle black ice, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
How aggressive is the regenerative braking when the roads are slick?
Does the cabin heater actually get warm enough to thaw out your fingers after scraping the windshield in minus 30?
Where is the hybrid battery located, and does it eat up all the space you need for your hockey bags?

Know Your Lingo: HEV vs. PHEV
Before you dive into the brands below, it helps to know the basic terminology. You’ll see terms like HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) tossed around a lot.

A standard HEV charges its own battery using the gas engine and regenerative braking. You never plug it in—you just put gas in it and drive like a normal car.

A PHEV, on the other hand, lets you plug the car into a wall outlet. This gives you a decent chunk of fully electric range (usually 40-60 kilometers) before the gas engine ever kicks in. Both are fantastic options, but depending on whether you park in a heated garage or out on the street under a snowbank, one might suit your Canadian lifestyle much better than the other.
Let’s Find Your Next Car
Hybrid technology varies considerably. While some manufacturers have been perfecting their hybrid cars for many years, others are at the early stages of learning how to properly incorporate hybrid systems. One manufacturer can focus on high efficiency in a hybrid car; another one will try to give you a powerful boost of torque using an electric engine for merging onto highways.

So whether you need a reliable car that will serve you perfectly in city driving conditions, or an SUV that will not ruin your budget when making a long-distance family vacation to Banff, there is a hybrid vehicle waiting for you.

Just click the links to the brand categories below and we’ll discuss all the peculiarities of every particular brand. I’ll tell you about advantages, disadvantages, and even the funny quirks that you can find only after spending enough time driving the car. Get a coffee and enjoy!