<Here!

This is more than I expected to see for a while. I assumed that hybrid SUVs would pop up in a big way first...the excellent low-speed torque of an electrically-driven drive train seemed to cry out for a hybrid solution. Wonder how it's going to sell?

At $42,510--including charger--it's a bit pricey still, but not completely out of the ballpark. California residents can throw in a juicy government bonus of up to $9,000 to help balance this out. They promise a 100,000 mile lifetime on the nickel-metal-hydride batteries, which, based on my experience with computer batteries, I'll believe when I see.

It still don't hold seven people, and the range of 126 miles still blows goats, but if you're one of the many who just buzzes around town in your SUV, maybe this will work for you.