The Ford Focus Electric initially introduced as a 2012 model will be arriving to dealers later this year, possibly as a 2013 model, though ordering has commenced. Ford’s first regular production electric car, the Focus Electric is set to go head to head with cars like the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-EV.

Right out of the gate, the Focus electric has advantages over its peers by offering an EPA rated 105 mpge and a manufacturer stated 100 mile charging range. While the EPA rates the Focus Electric at 76 miles range, your range is based on your driving style, ratio of highway and city driving, your use of accessories like air-conditioning as well as the outside temperature.

Ford Focus Electric interior is modern and spacious

On our short drive of the Focus Electric we were impressed by the generous torque and motivation that comes from the 143 horsepower the 107 kw electric motor. What we felt off the line of course is the prodigious 184 lb-ft of torque available at zero rpm.

Power delivery is smooth and quiet from the one-speed automatic transmission, easily breaking traction of the front tires from a dead stop. On drive the car was loaded with four passengers and the Focus still accelerated with verve.

The interior and exterior of the Focus electric is virtually identical to that of the gasoline variant with only a few exceptions. On the outside the Focus Electric has a unique set of fascias, front grill, wheels and the electric charging port on the driver side front fender.

Inside, the Focus Electric has a suite of interactive displays you can choose from that give you an intuitive measure of your range, efficiency and power usage. There are even tutorial screens that can coach your driving habits to get better range.

Through the navigation system you can calculate your energy budget beforehand to determine if you have the necessary range to complete the route. Furthermore it has a databank of local charging stations that show up on the map should you need one.

The interior is otherwise identical to the standard Focus with exception to its special recycled fabric seating on the base models. The seats are plenty comfortable and well adjustable for small or large drivers. The instrument panel and switch gear are all of decent fit and finish, all with in easy reach. The rear seat can seat three, but it would be a bit tight if they were all adults.

The Focus Electric starts at $39,200 MSRP and is available for order now. With the available Federal Income Tax Credit of $7,500 that puts the end price at $31,700 if you qualify. In some states like California or Colorado you can get additional tax incentives as high as $5,000 to stack onto that. It’s currently available in 19 markets nationwide, mostly blue states with some exceptions.

Overall we felt the Ford Focus drove a lot like the Nissan Leaf we tested last year at this time. The major differences we caught were that the Focus has a much smaller cargo hold due to its batter configuration. Otherwise, aside of pricing they are pretty closely comparable.

Ford impressed upon us however that the Focus Electric stands apart from the Nissan Leaf in one important area. The Focus Electric has an Li-ion battery which is 50% lighter and as much as 20% more efficient than the Leaf’s nickel-hydride unit. Ford says this allows the Focus Electric to charge in about four hours with a 240V charger, half the time as the Leaf.

Ford Focus Electric can get up to 100 miles on a charge

The new 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid crossover utility is coming soon. Ford has announced today that they are now taking orders for the new hybrid only vehicle that replaces the Escape Hybrid. Ford chose to create a stand-alone utility that marries more car-like chassis design with the same room and features an SUV can provide.

And based on what Ford is telling us already, they expect to go head-to-head with the new Toyota Prius v, which is a taller wagon variant of the Prius. The C-MAX will begin arriving this fall with a base price of $25,995, Ford says that’s about $500 lower than the Toyota Prius v’s base price.

Toward the end of this year, Ford will also begin selling the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid version that will enable you to extend your electric only (EV) mode to stretch your gas mileage out even more.

“C-MAX Hybrid offers better fuel economy, performance, technology and functionality than Prius v – and C-MAX Hybrid customers will pay less at the dealership and at the pump,” said Ken Czubay, vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Ford is delivering the power of choice for leading fuel economy across its lineup – from EcoBoost to electrified vehicles – because customers increasingly want to save money at the pump, even as gas prices rise over time.”

The C-MAX Hybrid is based on Ford’s global C-segment platform which underpins the Ford Focus. The taller profile allows it to be jam-packed with features and room for five people and cargo while being able to attain higher efficiency than an SUV like the Escape.

Still, the C-MAX Hybrid has a high roofline which affords ample interior space and flexibility. Ford is happy to point out that their C-MAX Hybrid offers 99.7 cubic feet of passenger space compared with 97 cubic feet in Prius v. The C-MAX Hybrid also provides greater headroom in both front and rear seats than Prius v Ford says.

Already a forefront feature of the new Ford Escape, the C-MAX will feature the company’s new hands-free liftgate, allowing for quick and easy access to the cargo area without messing with keys. A gentle kicking motion under the rear bumper opens the liftgate when used in combination with a key fob the user keeps in his or her pocket or purse that tells the car it’s OK to engage. The same motion can close the liftgate. Nice.

The C-MAX Hybrid is powered by a new Ford developed hybrid powertrain that has a combination of a 2.0 liter gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. In the back is an advanced li-ion battery system too, which has greater range than the first generation nickel hydride batteries.

Many customers will be happy to know also that the Ford C-MAX Hybrid will be produced at Ford’s Wayne, MI plant alongside the Focus, Focus Electric and Focus ST. The plant has been remodeled from when it produced full size SUV’s to create the widest range of Ford’s most efficient vehicles ever.

The Honda CR-Z is illustrative of Honda’s failure to really make a competitive play in the arena of hybrid cars. The small two-seater that harkens back to the popular and sporty Honda CRX of the 1980′s and 1990′s disappoints both driving enthusiasts as well as those looking for a green hybrid hyper-miler.

The CR-Z is sporty to look at with a visual excitement, but at its heart is Honda’s integrated motor assist system (IMA). This mates a 1.5 liter DOHC gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total output of 122 horsepower. Unlike many hybrids you can get both a constantly variable transmission (CVT) as well as a six-speed manual.

2012 Honda CR-Z interior lacks cohesive design flow

While the paddle-shifters for the CVT and availability of the manual transmission promise sporting intentions, acceleration reported my most publication is in the mid eight second range. Reports are that due to its low rolling resistance rubber and heavy battery, handling is a bit tankish too.

The problem with the Honda CR-Z in the big picture is its actual mpg outcome. The EPA rates it at 35 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 37 mpg combined for the CVT equipped model. Those choosing the six-speed manual will look for an EPA rated 31 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined.

Recent reports by many of our automotive media peers put the average observed economy in the 33 mpg range. When you step back and look at the results, you find that the CR-Z despite all its heavy and expensive hybrid power tech doesn’t even achieve numbers that some larger gasoline only cars do.

The non-hybrid Kia Rio and Ford Fiesta among several others can achieve up to 40 mpg highway, and they have a back seat. Furthermore if it’s a pure hybrid you are looking for even the Toyota Prius c which is about the same price and size as the CR-Z can achieve nearly 20 more mpg with an EPA rated 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway.

As you look across other larger hybrid sedans like the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid you see they all perform equally well if not better than the Honda CR-Z in efficiency while offering a full size car.

Combine the poor hybrid bang for the buck with an interior that appears to have been designed by a dozen different people and you have a car that is just out of sorts from almost every angle of attack. The CR-Z really should have been a non-hybrid car and likely would have achieved the same mpg if Honda equipped it with the right hardware.

Even if it had the same exact powertrain as the Honda Civic HF which achieves 29 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, the CR-X could have landed in the same place with a much more pleasing drive experience – not to mention less cost.

2012 Honda CR-Z EX fails to make the grade

The Toyota Prius has not only become a household name here at Motoring2, the car has become a staple of our daily journalistic pursuit. Because Toyota has been so busy with new variations of their hybrid line, we seem to be testing them ever couple of weeks.

Last week was the new compact Prius c and the week before that we drove the Prius Plug-in. The Prius v was in our garage only a couple months ago. So when we were handed the keys to a regular 2012 Prius we wondered what was new enough that Toyota wanted us to take a run in it for.

2012 Toyota Prius

The answer is simply that for 2012 the Prius received a number of updates that not only freshen the car, but add value to the various trim grades. A crisp new front fascia with sharper contours adorns the face. Standard daytime LED running lamps, restyled headlamps and rear tail lamps catch your eye as something new as well. A new wheel-cover design was added for 2012 models that don’t get the largest 17” alloy wheel included with the Prius Five.

Our Prius Four tester is the second to the top trim level which if course is the Prius Five. For 2012 the Four now includes the supple SofTex synthetic leather seating and eight-way power driver seat. Automatic on/off headlights now come on the Four this year too.

Our Blizzard Pearl test car was equipped with the Deluxe Solar Roof Package which costs in at $3,820. The main attraction is an all black roof panel that includes not only a sunroof but a large solar collector that powers a ventilation fan to cool the interior when its parked in the sun. At first blush you’d think the all black roof would be a negative here in Arizona where it’s already 100 degrees this spring.

2012 Toyota Prius

It’s actually quite the opposite as the solar panel keeps air was circulating in the cabin at all times when the car sits in the sun, significantly reducing the bake oven effect. It also has a remote air-conditioning feature that lets you go a step further to cool the car before you get in. This feature was a God send!

Also included are infotainment options such as the JBL top-end navigation sound system with Entune. Your iPhone can connect up to it and perform allow you to use most of your air-time features like internet radio, Bing navigation searches. Also of note is the head-up display (HUD) that displays speed and power source information on the windshield just in your sight line.

Sound quality from the premium sound system required a lot of adjustments to get a nice fat sound free of tinniness. The interior itself is classic Prius with futuristic design lines and a spacious feel. The power driver seat was a welcome bonus but we found the SofTex seating became sticky in the heat similar to vinyl, something genuine leather doesn’t do.

On the road the Toyota Prius handles and rides in a way that doesn’t impress or offend your senses. This car is about gas mileage, not giving you pocket-rocket driving dynamics. If you want handling prowess you can opt for the new PLUS Performance Package which has a set of light 17” forged alloy wheels, 215/45/R17 summer tires, and a more aggressive lowered suspension. The package rounds out the look with a seven piece aero-body kit too.

2012 Toyota Prius

The electrically actuated power steering is linear and predictable. Grip from the narrow 195/65/R15 low rolling resistance tires is adequate but don’t take those curvy roads too fast until you get the feel for their limits.

Power is there if you really ask for it. In sport mode will pair both the gasoline and electric motors for a total output of 134 horsepower through its constantly variable transmission (CVT), though the noise will have you lifting the accelerator before too long.

The Prius has an all-electric EV mode which will allow battery only operation at speeds up to about 24 mph provided you don’t ask for too much acceleration. On coast the Prius will also turn off the engine and use EV mode at much higher speeds too, which contributes to its efficiency.

Therefore, what does continue to get our praise is the miles per gallon results. For 2012 the EPA rates the Prius at 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined. While that sounds lofty and perhaps even over promising, we are thrilled to report we averaged exactly 50.1 mpg in our week of testing.

2012 Toyota Prius

That’s not only phenomenal, but better than the smaller Toyota Prius c we tested last week which only averaged 47.7 mpg. Before you scoff, we drove both cars in the same manner, the same routes, and in the same kind of weather. The Prius with its more powerful engine and electric motors simply doesn’t work as hard getting around which translates to better economy.

All in, our 2012 Prius Four with options came to a grand total of $33,035 including destination charges. That price puts it near the top of the range which starts at $24,900. While the Toyota Prius is indeed now venerable it remains the top selling hybrid car of all time, with now over 1,000,000 sold.

The current third-generation Prius is expected to carry though the 2014 model year at which time a fourth-generation will debut. We don’t know much about that yet other than it has been announced the one we buy here in North America will be built here. The latter means we may get a Prius more tailored to our market instead of the current car which is global.

Toyota has finally unveiled the production version of their new RAV4 electric vehicle (EV) this week. The RAV4 EV has been around in various prototype and test pool variations, but this one marks an official production program that is open to all consumers.

Toyota says that the all-electric RAV4 SUV has a driving range rating of upto 100 miles with a 6-hour charge using a 240V 40 amp charger. Best yet, a robust powertrain gives the RAV4 EV better acceleration and cargo hauling capability than the already quick RAV4 V6 gasoline counterpart.

Where the RAV4 EV could stop impressing some is the rather steepish $49,800 price tag, representing about a $19,000 price premium over a similarly equipped RAV4 Limited V6. The RAV4 EV will come fully loaded with every conceivable option however and buyers won’t be wanting for much else to be added.

While that price may be steep at first blush, you’d be hard pressed to find a competitor to price it against. The RAV4 EV is the first and only all-electric SUV on the market.

“It’s all about blending the best of two worlds,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. “The all-new RAV4 EV marries the efficiency of an EV with the versatility of a small SUV – in fact, it is the only all-electric SUV on the market.”

Toyota worked with Tesla Motors to create the RAV4 EV. Toyota RAV4′s are shipped to Tesla’s Fremont, CA production facility where they are outfitted with the electric powertrain and battery as well as other pertinent systems.

The Toyota RAV4 EV comes only in front wheel drive and allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP at 2,800 rpm.

On the exterior, RAV4 EV features upscale LED low beam projector headlights with halogen projector high beams. A manual leveling system allows customers to redirect the headlights when the vehicle changes significantly in pitch due to a heavy load. Five vertical LEDs make up the daytime running lights, which dim to parking lights.

The rear combination lights are LEDs accented by a unique light smoke outer lens. Other exterior variations from the gasoline powered RAV4 include new exterior emblems on the front, rear and the front door panel utilizing the signature Toyota “environmental blue.”

Inside, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat includes variable front seat heaters, which extends heater coverage to the occupant’s upper back. The split reclining rear seats with folding center arm rest fold flat for increased cargo space, with a total cargo capacity equivalent to the conventional RAV4 of 73 cu. ft. No interior space is lost in the vehicle due to EV components.

The RAV4 EV will go on sale this summer in only three colors, Blizzard White Pearl, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Classic Silver Metallic. The interior features a unique “Neutron” fabric, woven with a subtle sheen and blue accent, on the seat inserts and door trim.

Sales will start first in four major California metro markets including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego. Sales volume is planned for approximately 2,600 units over the next three years. The battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles.

“We believe that the RAV4 EV will attract sophisticated early technology adopters, much like the first-generation Prius,” said Carter. “It’s designed for consumers who prioritize the environment and appreciate performance. We look forward to seeing how the market responds.”

Source: Toyota

We were handed the keys this week to a production model Prius c to test for an entire week. In our daily driving and living with the newest baby Prius, we have come to know it a lot better and have many new observations than we learned at our brief media launch event back in February of this year.

The Prius c has already made waves in the automotive world, offering a record 53 mpg in the city.To add to that number it’s rather cute looking too. The c which stands for “city” is aimed at first time buyers, built to a lower price point than the standard Prius. It landed at dealerships in March amid $4.00 a gallon gas priced at just $18,950, a seemingly perfect play by Toyota.

Motivation comes from the company’s tried and true Hybrid Synergy Drive power train. In the Prius c it has a 1.5 liter Atkinson cycle gasoline engine instead of the larger 1.8 liter unit found in the standard Prius. It’s paired with electric motors and a constantly variable transmission (CVT). The system runs the car in electric mode at slower speeds and transitions to gasoline power when needed for power or highway speeds.

Total horsepower is 99 with the 73 horsepower engine and electric motors combined. This means that the Prius c isn’t a fast car by any stretch, nor does it climb steep hills with enthusiasm. In electric mode it’s reasonably smooth and quiet, but in stronger driving the gasoline engine can offer roughness and noise that deters you from wasting gas.

In our week of testing here in Arizona, the temperatures were in the 100 degree range so the air-conditioning was on at all times. This means that the Prius c was taxed as the HVAC is entirely electrically operated. Thus we found the gasoline engine stepping in to power the car a lot more often than we expected.

We averaged 48.5 mpg combined city and highway driving however which is still nothing to scoff at. The EPA rates the Prius c at 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway. Our driving habits around town include a generous amount of freeway driving at 65 mph plus, so our observed efficiency is about right on target if not commendable given our heavier use.

Handling and ride is a bit more sprightly than you would expect from a standard Toyota Prius due to the c model’s lighter weight and size. The car is still no Volkswagen GTI in the curves but it does allow you to push it into a quick left-hander at your favorite intersection before the light turns red. Road noise is moderate on the highway and chassis refinement is consistent with an entry level car.

The Prius comes in four grade levels, with the two lower models being equipped with a regular key to power it up. Our tester was a fully loaded Prius c Four which had a start key and push button for start which does make life a little easier.

The top of the line Four trim grade gets you SofTex synthetic leather seating, top level JBL stereo with navigation, Entune infotainment interface, touch tracer driving display and a tilt-telescoping wheel inside. Exterior elements included include color keyed mirrors and door handles, fog lights, and alloy wheels.

The interior of the Prius c is roomy enough for its size. We liked the traditional shift lever and controls that are easy to use. The top level JBL touch screen navigation sound system didn’t sound all that good to us and defaults to HD radio every time it powers up. The latter seems to make it sound tinnier than standard radio and had to be turned off every time we got into the car.

The dash was a sore spot unfortunately. It seems to be made from over 100 different hard plastic parts with patterns and textures that don’t match. There are dozens of inconsistent seams, the marriage of parts that don’t fit well with each other. Worst of all it rattles and visually vibrates on rough roads. It just seems this one was rushed to the production line with little oversight or built down to a price.

The crux of the matter is that while Toyota has made a number of styling and content upgrades to the Prius c, it still drives and feels like the $14,000 Yaris upon which it’s based. Our fully loaded tester’s MSRP was $25,330 which included options like the up-sized 16” allow wheels and a power sunroof.

This pricing puts you well into the territory of the larger $24,000 Prius which only gets two less mpg in the city and two more mpg on the highway. If it were us, we’d spring for the larger Prius or the base model Prius c. This is because the extra money spent on the top trim grades in the Prius c doesn’t really make it a significantly nicer car. Get the base model and make this one a frugal financial play.

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While rumors that Toyota would move production of the Prius hybrid to America have circulated for some years based on rumblings and a bit of common sense, the conversation has just stepped closer to fait acompli this week.

Koei Saga, Toyota’s senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain R&D, told Automotive News that Toyota aims to begin Prius production in the U.S. beginning in 2015.

Coinciding with the launch of the fourth generation Toyota Prius, the move would bring production of the car as well as many of its core components to the U.S. While no location for production has been announced, a location in the South is most likely.

Like many of its higher volume models, Toyota can gain better profitability by building cars here by escaping the exchange rate of the Yen. Furthermore by producing the car here for the North American market it makes it easier to tailor the car to our specific consumer needs.

On a strategic level, splitting production up around the globe and creating new supplier bases for the core hybrid components helps insulate Toyota against challenges such as the earthquake brought last year for production.

The next generation Prius is due in around 2014-2015 and is said to be produced both here as well as in Japan. Reports suggest that the Prius built here may also get the more advanced Li-Ion battery while cars built in Japan will continue to get the nickel-metal hydride units.

We will be watching and keep you updated on the latest.

Ford has announced today the phasing of which states will first begin selling its first all-electric production car, the Ford Focus Electric. Starting this spring, Ford will first start selling the Focus Electric in the states of California, New York and New Jersey through some 67 dealers who are now certified to sell them.

Like other manufacturer’s, Ford is taking the launch of its electric car slow but phasing it gradually into various markets. While Ford is confident in their new Focus Electric which has an EPA rating of 110 MPGe and they say can charge in nearly half the time as the Nissan Leaf, they are taking a cautious approach.

While the rollout starts in just three states, Ford says that the Focus Electric will be available through their certified dealerships nationwide by year’s end. Dealers wanting to sell the car must meet stringent guidelines, train their sales and service personnel, and have at least two chargers installed.

“The amount of hard work and resources dealers put into becoming certified really is a testament to how excited they are, how excited customers are and how excited we are about electric vehicles, starting with Focus Electric,” said David Gutman, Ford’s field operations manager.

Ford says that with more motor power, standard features, passenger room and faster charging time than Nissan Leaf, their dealers have been eager to start selling Focus Electric. Focus Electric has been certified by the EPA to offer 110 MPGe in the city and 105 MPGe combined.

While the cars don’t actually go on sale until late this summer, Ford says that production of the Focus Electric began in December 2011 at their assembly plant in on Michigan Avenue in Wayne, MI.

We took the two top contenders in the plug-in slash hybrid slash electric car wars and put them head to head. The Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric and the Toyota Prius Pug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) come from two completely different engineering philosophies but the outcome is very similar on paper as it relates to how you feed them.

Both cars plug in for an electric charge which gives them a modicum of electric only driven range. Both cars have a gasoline engine which comes into play once that charge is depleted. Depending on your daily drive patterns each car can act strictly as an electric vehicle(EV) or as a hybrid of both.

The Chevrolet Volt is advertised and sold as an electric car with an on-board generator powered by gasoline. The battery takes up to 14 hours to charge on a 120V outlet, shorter with a 240V fast charger. The battery will get you between 35-40 miles before it runs down. When that happens an on board gasoline powered generator fires up and gives you additional electricity to keep you going for as long as you want to buy gas.

With the Toyota Prius PHV, you plug it in for a 3 hour charge on your 120V outlet which gives you about 12 miles of electric-vehicle (EV) range at speeds up to 62 mph. Once that range is depleted the PHV goes back in to a normal Toyota Prius hybrid driving mode.

If it happens your daily round about fits into the 12 mile range, then you can conceivably drive the PHV as an EV almost infinitely provided you keep it plugged in when parked. The EPA rates it at 95 mpge on all-electric mode and 50 mpg combined city/highway in hybrid only mode. Depending on your mix of both modes you can see actual mpg easily up into the 80′s and 90′s.

We achieved 61.5 mpg in our mixed week of driving in the Prius PHV and 119 mpg with the Chevrolet Volt. The extra range afforded by the Volt’s much more robust range brought its average up considerably as we drove both cars about 40-50 miles each day in similar patterns.

Behind the wheel is where these two cars begin to take entirely separate characters. The Volt drives the same way regardless of whether you drive off the battery or the gasoline engine is powering it. This is because the engine does not power the wheels, but turns a generator that makes power for the electric drive motor. It does so very quietly and seamlessly, often you don’t even know it is running.

In day to day driving the PHV drives very much like any Toyota Prius. In EV mode the car is smooth and quiet with a reasonable amount of power on tap. The gasoline engine still fires up occasionally in cases where you have a lot of accessories on or you mash the accelerator hard.

The regenerative braking and electric motor sounds were a bit louder in the Prius PHV than in the Volt which is nearly whisper quiet. And because the Prius is a hybrid which uses power from the engine to drive the wheels off and on, your get occasional roughness as it the powertrain cycles from one power source to the other.

Handling and ride were another area the cars stood apart. We found the Volt to be happy spirited around town and on windy roads in a way that rewards you when asking it to play. The Prius on the other hand seemed to be slow to steer and heavy in feel, not designed for spirited driving. The Volt has a feel and suppleness more in keeping with its $40,000 price range than did the Prius.

The interior of the Volt is one of high style and quality in a way that tells you the people who designed this car wanted to make it special. The look is futuristic without being gimmicky and material quality is top notch. Hitting the blue LED power button lights up the dash and a futuristic chime greets you happily. Easy to use, a traditional shift lever is found on the center console.

Both the instrument panel and center stack use color liquid crystal displays with very well laid out graphics. There seems to be just the right buttons to compliment the touch screen controls to make it all intuitive. HVAC and audio controls can be controlled both by standard controls and touch screen menus.

The Volt’s leather trimmed seats were so comfortable, the steering wheel feeling just right in your hands. Here in Phoenix it is already into the 90 degree temperatures so we used the electrically driven air-conditioning prodigiously to double happy comfort.

The interior of our Toyota Prius PHV Advanced had a tastefully executed monotone charcoal theme that was a richly inviting place to be with the SofTex synthetic leather. While we would have liked the genuine article in a car costing $40,000, it only lacked the aroma that cowhide gives. The heated seats were comfortable and power adjustable for the driver which was a welcome feature.

The Advanced trim grade comes with the top end navigation and audio system from the JBL Greenline which includes Toyota’s Entune infotainment interface for your smart phone. Included also is the aforementioned rich SofTex synthetic leather interior with heated seats, high tech auto leveling LED headlamps with cleaning nozzles, and a futuristic head-up display in the dash.

The top line sound system in the Prius PHV was a bit of a disappointment, never really sounding of quality regardless of how we tried to adjust its settings. And while the head-up display was a cute gee-whiz cool feature that displayed speed and core information on the windshield at your eye line, its only about 10″ from the real instrument display.

Also part of the Prius PHV’s Advanced trim package are fog lights and an auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink. A key feature we liked was a very helpful dynamic radar cruise control system that automatically speed compensates when you get stuck in traffic. We loved it on the 101 freeway at rush hour, every car should come with this.

Pricing on our two test cars was similar. Our Volt was fully loaded with the $1,995 premium audio system with navigation which sounded excellent. Also optioned was the aforementioned heated leather seats which are part of the $1395 premium trim package. All said the total came to $43,880 including destination.

The most expensive Prius, the PHV starts out at $32,000. Our Prius PHV Advanced model is the top of the line, loaded with every imaginable option which brought the sticker price to a stratospheric $40,285 including destination.

The Volt qualifies for a $7,500 federal tax credit while the Prius PHV qualifies for a $1,500 tax credit. Both cars qualify for a number of state level tax rebates too including a $2,500 credit for both in the state of California. We feel that given these balancing powers, the pricing on each car comparatively is almost a push.

There is no question that each car shoots for the same target as it relates to efficiency and greenness, but each has taken a remarkably different path to get there. They both come in as pricey cars that you have to want as much for its ingenuity and its statement as for their energy cost savings.

In our opinion the Volt offers a stronger sense of style, handling acumen and overall enjoyability than does the Prius PHV. When you get out and walk away from the Volt you catch yourself wanting to look back at it. There is no question the designers at GM went out of their way to make this car special. The only major complaint is that it only seats four people.

The Prius PHV on the other hand will easily win over those who worry about the considerable headlines the Volt has garnered whether they be consequential or not. While it has the new plug-in capability, the car is based on Toyota’s tried and proven Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain which has proven bulletproof over the last ten years.

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After being unveiled in a public ceremony today at the Virginia State Capitol, the 2012 Focus Electric pace cars are ready for their historic race weekend when they become the first all-electric vehicles to pace a NASCAR Sprint Cup event.

The two Focus Electric vehicles will perform all pace car duties for the Capital City 400 presented by Virginia is for Lovers Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.

The two cars were unveiled by Eric Kuehn, chief nameplate engineer, Ford Global Electrified Programs; Mike Lynch, NASCAR’s managing director of Green Innovation; and Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.

With Bolling and Kuehn in one pace car, and Lynch in the other, the two vehicles proceeded to drive through the streets of Richmond after the ceremony to Richmond International Raceway, where they were turned over for weekend duty to Dennis Bickmeier, president of RIR.

“It will be a special moment for NASCAR fans across the country, Virginians and the Ford family on Saturday night when the Focus Electric completes its first lap as the official pace car for the Capital City 400,” said Kuehn. “As Ford and NASCAR make history with the first all-electric pace car, we will also be demonstrating to thousands of race fans and millions more on TV that you can combine performance and fuel-efficiency.”

Bolling pointed out the pride the state of Virginia takes in having the all-electric pace car debut in Richmond.

“I was delighted to unveil the 2012 Ford Focus Electric pace car at the Virginia State Capitol. Virginia is the energy capital of the East Coast so it’s only fitting that the first ever all-electric pace car will debut at the Richmond NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race,” said Bolling. “NASCAR is not just great fun, but it is also big business, having a huge economic impact on the metro Richmond area each year. We love to have folks visit Richmond for our annual NASCAR races and take advantage of all that the Commonwealth has to offer.”

NASCAR’s Lynch pointed out this marks another historic moment in the sport’s history.

“The arrival of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric pace car is a strong example of how the innovation cycle around green transportation is accelerating,” said Lynch. “The Ford Focus Electric was held to the same highly demanding standard of any pace car, and more than met the performance requirements. Seeing it on the track at Richmond International Raceway will be another historic moment for our sport.”

This marks the latest in a line of groundbreaking moments for Ford in NASCAR. In addition to being the first manufacturer to compete with a four-door sedan as its flagship model in 1998, Ford was also first to use a hybrid to start a NASCAR event when the Fusion Hybrid served as pace car for the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2008.

In January, Ford became the first manufacturer to show off its 2013 NASCAR race car when it unveiled the new 2013 Fusion racer to media in Charlotte, N.C.

Fuel-economy leadership
The all-new Fusion range, which includes EcoBoost, a hybrid and the Energi plug-in hybrid version, is the best example of how Ford is giving customers true power of choice for fuel-efficient vehicles.

This year, Ford will offer nine vehicles reaching an anticipated 40 mpg or more. Plus, the company is building six new electrified vehicles by the end of this year.

“The Focus and Fusion are great examples of how we transformed our fleet of cars, utilities and trucks with leading fuel efficiency – by electrifying entire vehicle platforms, instead of one-off specialty models,” said Kuehn.

Ford will offer fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines in 11 vehicles in 2012, up from seven in 2011, tripling the production capacity of EcoBoost-equipped Ford vehicles. This expansion of fuel-efficient offerings will be led by the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine in the high-volume Escape compact utility vehicle and Fusion sedan.

Delivering up to 20 percent better fuel economy than conventional engines, EcoBoost uses smaller overall size combined with turbocharging and gasoline direct injection to bring customers the power they want and the fuel economy they need.

Focus Electric is America’s most fuel-efficient five-seat car that offers the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon (MPGe) city, 99 MPGe highway and operates entirely on battery-generated power. Focus Electric has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to offer 105 MPGe combined.

By comparison, the Nissan Leaf is certified at 106 MPGe city, 92 MPGe highway and 99 MPGe combined. Focus Electric features more passenger room, more motor power and a faster charging system that can nearly halve the charging time of the Leaf.

Production of the Focus Electric began in December at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. More information about MAP can be found here.

Ford is ramping up Focus Electric retail production in the first half of this year for dealership availability in California, New York and New Jersey. By the end of the year, Focus Electric will be available in 19 markets across the U.S.