Funny short take on Saturn's new hybrid in my new Car and Driver. It was titled something like "Cheap, and a low price too."

They said "for $22,995 you get three shiney hybrid badges an extra 2-3 mpg, and a weak effort.

Obviously they were less than impressed by the Saturn, and I agree.

Sure it is inexpensive, but for the same money I can get a Rav4 Sport or a CR-V EX and only give up 2-3 mpg highway and 3-4 mpg city.... I suspect less in real world driving. With the arguably higher quality of the Toyota and Honda, I have a feeling you would need to be a big Saturn fan to bite on this one.

If course the image associated with 'three shiney hybrid badges' could make it a huge success as well. Jackass 2 is the number one movie in america right now after all .

I think the best test might be to put them in taxi service with Ford Escapes. That might provide a head-to-head test IF the payload capabilities are close enough.

BTW, I recently saw a posting for a Camry hybrid taxi. THAT would be an awsome service. Next year they start making or assembling them in Kentucky?

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

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They start building TCHs in Kentucky next month (October)

Boston has TCH in taxi service!