4 Top Plug-in Hybrids, Tested

The big fear of drivers of electric vehicles? Getting stranded with a dead battery. But what if you could bring a charger along with you? That's the idea of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which offers electric-only power for short daily ­commutes, backed up by a gasoline engine that ­provides propulsion for longer distances. It seems like a win-win—the eco-friendliness of an EV with no range restrictions. Depending on your driving habits, you could go weeks or months without filling up at a gas station, and electricity is about one-third the cost per mile of petroleum. Of course, critics note that a lot of that energy for charging a car comes from coal or natural gas electricity, not renewable sources. And when running on gasoline a plug-in can't match the fuel economy of a conventional gas–electric hybrid or even a fuel-efficient economy car. Plus, those extra batteries are expensive—the additional cost takes years to pay off in fuel savings.

Why, then, do carmakers even bother with plug-ins? Government mandates are a big reason. Starting with the 2015 model year, California requires that 3 percent of an automaker's sales in that state come from zero-emissions vehicles. And PHEVs play a big part in raising corporate average fuel economy numbers, so they have a role in nearly every automaker's future product plans. What's certain is that we're going to see more PHEVs on the market in the coming years. Do they offer the best of both worlds, or are they boondoggles aimed purely at satisfying government regulations?

To find out, we took a car from each of the four brands that currently have plug-ins on the showroom floor: Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, and Honda, which sells its PHEV Accord only in California and New York. Starting from our Manhattan offices, we drove highways and back roads up to Monticello, N.Y., and tested straight-line performance at the ­Monticello Motor Club. Then we put each vehicle through a maximum-range city-driving loop with the climate control and radio off. For that last test only the Volt guarantees full-time electric operation; the other three kick in the gasoline engine under situations such as full throttle or high speeds. With careful driving we still kept up with traffic in the other three without the use of the gas engines, so our results reflect electric-only power. Only the Prius was a disappointment; the rest offer a rewarding driving experience and are a compelling preview of a piece of the automotive future.

BackNext

Nick Ferrari

2013 Ford Fusion Energi SE

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Base price/as tested: $39,495/$40,585

Federal tax incentive: $3751

l x w x h: 191.8 x 72.9 x 58.0 inches

Wheelbase: 112.2 inches

Curb weight: 3957 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 44.0 (EPA highway) / 41.0 (EPA city) / 36.0 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 21.0 (EPA city) / 24.5 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 7 (120v) / 2.5 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 7.39

Likes: The glowing ring on the charge port that indicates the battery level is a nice addition to the Fusion's futuristic looks. Inside, the reconfigurable instrument cluster shows exactly what's going on with all the components of the powertrain. This is one of the best brake pedals of any hybrid we've driven, with a natural feel and a seamless transition between regenerative mode and the physical brakes. The engine is equally smooth as it shuts on and off as needed to keep the fuel consumption low.

Dislikes: Compared with the 1.6-liter EcoBoost Fusion in our last test, the Energi feels underpowered, and the continuously variable transmission lags in adjusting revs after a dip of the throttle. Batteries eat up half of the trunk, leaving only 8 cubic feet of storage.

BackNext

Nick Ferrari

2013 Chevrolet Volt

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Base price/as tested: $39,995/$43,375

Federal tax incentive: $7500

l x w x h: 177.1 x 70.4 x 56.6 inches

Wheelbase: 105.7 inches

Curb weight: 3761 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 35.0 (EPA highway) / 40.0 (EPA city) / 35.0 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 38.0 (EPA city) / 48.5 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 10.0 (120v) / 4.0 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 13.35

Likes: When the batteries have juice the Volt runs completely fuel-free. Even when the gasoline engine kicks in, it usually acts as a generator and revs independent of how you push the gas (at highway speeds the engine helps drive the wheels as well), so the electric-driving sensation is ever present. With the Volt's low center of gravity and sharp reflexes, we found ourselves growing fonder of the Chevy with each passing mile.

Dislikes: An open hatchback body makes for a noisy cabin, and when the engine kicks on at low speeds the exhaust note buzzes annoyingly. Capacitive-touch controls on the center console lack response and tactile feedback. Gas-powered fuel economy is the worst of the group.

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In

Ranking: ★ ★ ★ ★ ½

Base price/as tested: $40,570/$40,570

Federal tax incentive: $3626

l x w x h: 193.5 x 72.8 x 57.7 inches

Wheelbase: 109.3 inches

Curb weight: 3783 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 47.0 (EPA highway) / 46.0 (EPA city) / 39.0 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 13.0 (EPA city) / 15.4 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 3.0 (120v) / 1.0 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 3.99

Likes: With the most responsive powertrain and quickest steering reactions, the Accord feels a lot like the lighter, non-Hybrid version. An upright seating position and excellent visibility add to overall comfort. Seat fabric made of eco-friendly plant-based materials increases the green appeal. And the Accord gives the highest miles-per-charging-hour performance, with short intervals to top off the battery.

Dislikes: The battery pack chops cargo space down to 9 cubic feet. During highway cruising we felt a noticeable bump when the powertrain switched between gas power and electric regeneration. Driving information is spread all over the instrument cluster, making for the most confusing display in the test.

BackNext

Nick Ferrari

2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In

Ranking: ★ ★ ★

Base price/as tested: $32,795/$33,098

Federal tax incentive: $2500

l x w x h: 176.4 x 68.7 x 58.7 inches

Wheelbase: 106.3 inches

Curb weight: 3186 pounds

Hybrid Mode MPG: 51.0 (EPA highway) / 49.0 (EPA city) / 46.7 (PopMech observed)

EV Mode Range (Miles): 11 (EPA city) / 12.2 (PopMech observed)

Charge Time (Hours): 2.5 (120v) / 1.5 (240v)

Total Energy to Charge (kWh): 3.09

Likes: If you're a driver who wants a hybrid to feel different from a normal ride, Toyota has the car for you. From the Star Trek shuttle-pod looks to the sweeping dashboard and toggle-lever gear selector, the Prius is distinctive in a most refreshing way. And it kicks back the best fuel economy in gasoline driving.

Dislikes: The Prius is no fun to drive. The steering and brakes are numb, the engine groans, and the car is so sluggish that it feels like it's dragging a boat anchor. This is also the loudest interior, letting in all manner of road and wind commotion. Our ­biggest issue: Limited EV range means the Prius Plug-In isn't a substantive improvement over the standard Prius, which costs less and has higher mpg ratings.

Our First Look at the 2014 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has been on the market for a staggering 47 years, meaning the compact is barely younger than automotive icons such as the Porsche 911 (50 years) and Ford Mustang (49 years). The long-lived but pedestrian Corolla may not have cachet of those sports cars, but it may be more successful. Toyota says it has sold close to 40 million of them. And even though the outgoing 10th-generation Corolla has been on American roads for nearly half a decade, Toyota sold more than 260,000 of them last year, beating the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, and Chevrolet Cruze. Not bad for the oldest car in the compact class. 

As popular as the Corolla might be, it was certainly time for a remake. The 11th generation, unveiled this week at an event in Santa Monica, Calif., brings a clean-sheet redesign to the Corolla nameplate. Underneath the crisp, modern bodywork is a new chassis that stretches the wheelbase by close to 4 inches to boost interior space. And yet the front and rear overhangs are shorter, so the overall look is more taut. Extensive use of high-strength steel has kept the weight below 2900 pounds, no matter how much optional equipment a buyer selects. In our recent test of compact sedans, not one of the Corolla's competitors managed to tip the scales at less than 2900 pounds, so that's an impressive number. 

 

Those with a thirst for serious thrust probably won't be lining up for the 2014 Corolla. Under the hood sits either the standard 132-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder from the previous Corolla, or a new 140-hp version of the same engine with more sophisticated valvetrain technology. That top engine is more efficient—it comes in the LE Eco grade paired to a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is said to minimize the rubber band feel of traditional CVTs. 

Underneath every Corolla are strategically placed aero panels to help reduce turbulence and increase fuel economy. The company says all this new tech will help Eco-badged Corollas to surpass 40 mpg on the highway. A six-speed manual is available on L and S grades. And speaking of the S grade, there is a Sport button that recalibrates the throttle as well as the electric power steering. 

 

Toyota says the 2014 Corolla is the first compact car to be equipped with standard LED headlights (yet, oddly, the Corolla still uses drum rear brakes on all but the S model). In fact, there's plenty of equipment here that used to be the reserved for more expensive cars, such as pushbutton start, touchscreen infotainment with rear backup camera, and, yes, even paddle shifters. Paddle shifters might seem out of place in the current somnolent Corolla, but the new car could be sporty enough for them to make sense. We'll reserve final judgment until we can climb behind the wheel later this year
.

Wootch is a child locator hidden inside of a watch

Being a parent is a lot of work. There are times where you need a few extra hands, and another pair of eyes. Unfortunately, if you don’t have anyone else around, extra appendages are hard to come by. Thankfully, there are plenty of gadgets out there that can help with some of the issues that can come up while trying to raise a child (or two).

If you’ve ever taken your child out to the store, and lost sight of them, you truly understand what it means to panic. Despite being a good parent and keeping constant watch over them, children can disappear around a corner in the blink of an eye. This type of scenario is exactly what the Wootch was created.

The Wootch looks like nothing more than a brightly-colored digital watch for children. However, it’s more than just a portable timepiece. The watch also houses a Bluetooth transmitter that will talk to your smartphone, and let you know exactly where your child is. Should they get more than 16 feet away, you will actually get an alert on your phone, letting you know that they’ve wandered off too far. Finally, there’s a “FindMe” button, that your child can press, that sends an alert to your phone.

I think that this concept is brilliant. Sure, some people will say that good parents won’t ever lose track of their children, but those people are simply underestimating how sneaky a kid can really be. What I think is so great is that the device is hidden in plain sight as a watch. All you need to do is get your child in the habit of wearing their watch whenever you take them out of the house. And should the worst happen and someone abducts a child wearing one of these, they won’t think to remove the watch, so there’s a better chance of the child hitting the “FindMe” button, and being found quickly. You can get your own by funding the IndieGoGo project, and pledging just $30.

Kisai Neutron watch is activated with the flick of your wrist

What you wear can say a lot about yourself. Some people might not put much thought into what they put on in the morning, but if you spend a lot of your day interacting with people, there’s a good chance that you’ll take a few extra minutes to make sure that you look good. Of course, if you’re heading off to work, there are additional things to consider. But regardless of the look you’re going for, there is one thing that is always fashionable to wear. A watch.

TokyoFlash is a company that has set themselves apart from the competition by creating unique designs for their watches. The new Kisai Neutron is no exception to this. This is one of the rare watches that displays numbers rather plainly, and doesn’t require a brief explanation of how to read it. But that still doesn’t mean that it looks like any other timepiece you’ve seen before.

The Neutron’s face looks like some sort of grate, when not lit up. However, once you’ve activated it, you’ll see the individual bars light up to display the numbers that make up the time. What’s interesting is that you can activate the face in one of two ways. You can be boring and press a button on the side, or you can turn on the motion sensor. For the latter, you’ll simply need to flick your wrist, and the time will magically appear. This unique watch features a USB-rechargeable battery, and will set you back $139.

6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge Multi-Tool

Do you plan to do a whole lot of traveling later this summer? If you have answered in the affirmative, then perhaps it is time you did all the necessary (should you hit the road and not take any flights, that is) preparations beforehand so that your travels will be stress-free. Other than sending your car to the local mechanic for a thorough check up and servicing, making sure that the four tires on your ride are in prime condition – and that would include ensuring it has the proper air pressure within. A handy tool to have would be the $9.99 6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge Multi-Tool.

Some have said that this is a must-have tool for drivers, where it comprises of half a dozen tools for you to use each time you hit the road. To ensure that it remains with you all the time, just clip it to your keys, or if you think that doing so is not necessary, how about tossing it to the glove box? The 6-in-1 Tire Pressure Gauge Multi-Tool tips the scales at a mere 0.2lbs, where it sports a tire pressure gauge, tread depth gauge, LED flashlight, bottle opener, flat screwdriver, and key ring with quick release. The LED flashlight itself has been rated for 100,000 hours, which should be more than enough to last you your entire lifetime.

Building Brick Mug

The great pyramids of Giza were built block by block on the backs of slaves, but since we live in a modern day world where such slavery is no longer that obvious in our reality, and we humans still have this innate need to build stuff, here is the £19.99 Building Brick Mug that ought to satisfy all of your building urges. I guess you can say that the Building Brick Mug would make for a decent cornerstone of any drink time, no? It will play nice with a wide variety of building bricks, including LEGO, PixelBlocks, Mega Bloks, KRE-O or K’NEX Bricks,

I suppose having one of these bad boys would make life a whole lot more productive at the office, and it will also be easier to pass your time there. After all, you might just find the solution to your work problem right in front of you as building your own design on your favorite mug with your favorite coffee brew inside might result in an eureka moment. Do bear in mind that you will need to provide your very own building bricks though, with your imagination being the limit.

Monkey King ThL W11 is first 13-megapixel front cameraphone in the world

When it comes to high end smartphones, you can be sure that there is quite a fair number to choose from. Sony has their flagship Xperia Z, while Samsung rocks on with the fourth iteration of the Galaxy S series in the form of the Samsung Galaxy S4. As for HTC, the company might not be doing too hot in the past few quarters, but this does not mean that they are left behind the race. In fact, their HTC One has made quite an impressive splash in recent months, and there is also LG with the Optimus G Pro, Nokia with their Lumia 1020, while China-based Oppo has their high end Find 7 model. While these tend to have a camera which works pretty great, so much so that they can even double up as a replacement for your regular digital camera under most casual circumstances, the front-facing camera does capture decent self portraits, but they aren’t enough when it comes to the amount of pixels. ThL of China hopes to deliver far better looking self portraits, with the Monkey King ThL W11 touted to be the first 13-megapixel front camera smartphone in the world.



Just what kind of hardware can we find underneath the hood? Well, the Monkey King ThL W11 will run on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean operating system for starters, where it will be powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz MT6589 processor, sporting rendering speeds of up to 357MHz, a 5” Full HD IPS display, 2GB RAM, 32GB ROM, and a 2,100mAh battery.

Sure, the front-facing camera might sport a whopping 13-megapixels, making this up the ante by a whole bunch, but the back at 13-megapixels is not going to impress anyone since smartphone cameras these days do come with a pretty high sizeable count. Still, it is enough to take more than decent photos, although we do hope that the quality of the software to process the images taken will be up to par. There will be no LTE connectivity with the Monkey King ThL W11 however, as it maxes out at 3G. No idea on pricing or availability, though.

ReLax Kit announced

In this day and age, those of us who are seemingly stuck in the proverbial rat race would need to find our own ways of winding down, or at the very least, lowering the amount of stress in our lives through various means, be they exercising, indulging in a hobby, or even going for a nice, long holiday at a tropical island somewhere. Well, perhaps there is something else that you might want to look into – the ReLax Kit which is said to be able to monitor the wearer’s brain waves and body posture among others. The ReLax Kit delivers advanced bio-signal tracking, where this would pave the way for users to monitor and manage their stress levels. Not only that, the ultra-compact bio-sensor is diminutive enough to stash away without looking too conspicuous. Armed with an easy-to-use app, the kit itself can assist users to gain control over their stress levels.

If one were to be more exact, the ReLax Kit has been specially geared towards those who are attempting to gauge their stress levels in a simplified and visual manner, and these can include even students (yes, you don’t know just how much stress students go through these days), office workers, and yoga and meditation enthusiasts. The ReLax Kit’s bio-sensor is versatile enough, it is capable of monitoring facial muscle tension, body posture, and brain waves regardless of what time of the day it is, and whether you are sleeping or getting a spot of meditation in.

Not only that, the kit’s app will also be able to display compiled brain wave and facial muscle wave data, all presented in an easy-to-read color-coded graph. With but a glance at the graph, one is able to quickly determine one’s stress levels. It might take time, but with enough experience and practice, one will be able to figure out how to control or influence the output toward a desired direction. Apart from that, the ReLax Kit’s app will also show off a visual history of a user’s body posture, which would come in handy to raise one’s poor posture awareness. The ReLax Kit can be pre-ordered for $47 a pop.

Flood Force Water Cannon never needs to be refilled

Summer is in full force, which means everyone is trying to find creative ways to beat the heat. This is especially important if you have kids, because you want them to be outside having fun, but you don’t want them to get overheated. One of my favorite past times involves a group of friends shooting each other with squirt guns. The only downside to this fun was that you had to keep stopping to refill them. But what if you had a squirt gun that never needed refilling?

This Flood Force Water Cannon from Swimways is like a squirt gun that has an unlimited ammo supply. The only downside is that you’ll need to be in a pool to take advantage of that feature. However, it does have a reservoir, should you want to emerge from the water and track down someone to soak. Otherwise, just make sure that the base is submerged, and crank away at the handle to ensure that everyone within range is just as wet as you are.

This fun toy is a cheap way to have some summer fun, at just $15. Unfortunately that doesn’t include the cost of the swimming pool that you’ll need to enjoy it to its fullest. You’ll have to buy that separately.