Canadians are hot under the collar; hot for hybrids that is.
A recent Kanetix.ca study took a closer look at the hybrids cars that generated the most online car insurance quotes for all of 2012, and found that last year's most popular hybrids were the:
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Honda Civic Hybrid
- Ford Escape Hybrid
- Lexus CT 200h
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Honda CR-Z Hybrid
- Lexus RX 400h
- Ford Fusion Hybrid (tie)
- Honda Insight (tie)
Hybrid car statistics: According to Kanetix.ca
Toyota tops them all
The Toyota Prius alone made up for almost 30 per cent of all hybrid auto insurance quotes; add in the other Toyotas--the Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid--and Toyota accounted for almost 49 per cent of all hybrid car insurance quotes sought by shoppers.
Fewer hybrid car insurance quotes
Compared to 2011, there were almost 40 per cent fewer hybrid car insurance quotes sought in 2012. We have a theory; it's purely speculative but we think it may be a contributing factor. In 2011, according to Natural Resources Canada, the average retail price for regular gasoline in Canada fluctuated greatly; from a low of $1.131 per litre to a peak of $1.357. This is a swing of almost $0.23 per litre! In contrast, the swing in 2012 was somewhat less severe at $0.19 per litre. Perhaps the tipping point for Canadians to look to hybrids as an alternative is about $0.20?
Hybrid vehicles come in all shapes and sizes
Long gone are the days when your options for a hybrid were the relatively compact Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. While these tried-and-true favourites are still very popular, now, you can get a full size luxury sedan from Mercedes Benz (the S400 Hybrid), a full size luxury SUV from Cadillac (the Escalade Hybrid), and even a sports car from Porche (the Cayenne S Hybrid). Chance are, whatever type of car you want to drive, you can find a hybrid version available.
Hybrid car insurance
After comparing online hybrid car insurance quotes at Kanetix.ca for the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, and Honda Civic Hybrid, it seems there is no one particular trend when it comes to hybrid auto insurance rates. While there were times, when compared to their gas-powered alter-egos, hybrid car insurance rates were lower, there were also times when they were higher and even sometimes the exact same.
What does this mean if you're in the market to buy a hybrid vehicle? Shop around for your car insurance coverage. Rates are not the same across insurance companies, and if you get a new hybrid car your current insurer might not be the most affordable option for coverage. What's more, there are even insurers who offer a discount for driving a hybrid! Don't pay more than you have to, compare hybrid car insurance quotes at KANETIX.
Looking for more on hybrid car trends, fuel efficiency, and auto insurance rates?
- Read: Hybrid cars in Canada: Will going green save you money?
- Read: Fact or fiction? The scoop on hybrid cars and hybrid car myths
- Read: Cars that save you gas money
- Read: Gas prices driving you to walk? Fuel savings tips.
