<p>Not just hybrid cars, but electrics…and anything else that uses an alternate fuel source…why are they so ugly looking? If they take that much time to work out the engine for those things, can’t they make them look like a normal car?</p>
<p>Normal cars are not designed for optimal efficiency (aerodynamic). They figure the people buying these things are trying to wring every last mile per gallon out of the thing, so they thought they’d oblige by making it as efficient as possible.</p>
<p>Aslo note that they have tires engineered for lower rolling resistance at a cost of ride comfort and traction to some degree.</p>
<p>You wanna see ugly, try looking at some of the things that compete in those solar car challenges. Many of them look like squished bugs because they are low and flat to maximize their solar exposure.</p>
<p>If you are looking for a “normal” looking hybrid, I suggest the Civic which the only change is an added on spoiler on the deck lid. Otherwise it is stock Civic on the sheet metal.</p>
<p>Escape Hybrid I believe has no changes to the bodywork.</p>
<p>The Camry Hybrid has no changes whatsoever to the outside except for the little hybrid decal thingy on the sides near the front doors.</p>
<p>The accord hybrid also looks exactly like its gas-only counterpart, as does the Lexus GS and RX hybrids, and they’re planning to get a hybrid version of the LS on the market.</p>
<p>BMW is coming out with the first hydrogen powered production car, I think in 09.</p>