Cars.com Offers Picks for Top 10 Hybrids

Business Wire, March 13, 2008

CHICAGO -- With the release of its 2008 Hybrid Buying Guide, Cars.com has announced its picks for the top 10 hybrid vehicles on the market. With more hybrid models today than there were just a few years ago, the Buying Guide was designed to help consumers sort through a wide range of options in numerous body styles, from sedans to SUVs. Additionally, Cars.com's picks for the top hybrid vehicles help consumers get a clear understanding of these vehicles' fuel-efficiency and price differences compared to their non-hybrid counterparts.

"Hybrid rankings have often been simplistic," Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder said. "Most are little more than lists of the highest-mileage models on the market. Here, we ranked hybrids based on how much fuel savings they get when compared to their non-hybrid version, as well as how much all that saved gas is going to cost you, since hybrid models always command a premium price."

Cars.com developed its rankings on the premise that most hybrid shoppers are looking for efficiency first, followed closely by price. All hybrids were compared to the lowest-priced, most-efficient gas-only trim level in their model line. The rankings then took into account the hybrid's mileage and price premium, in percent, as well as its suggested retail price.

"Examinations that compare hybrids to 'comparably equipped' versions miss an important point. Hybrids are almost always among the most expensive trim levels, if not the most costly," Wiesenfelder said. "We know that not all buyers are willing to pay the premium for the sake of driving a hybrid. There needs to be a payoff, so our ranking highlights those hybrids that give buyers the greatest return for their investment."

Top 10 2008 Hybrids:

1. Toyota Prius

MSRP: $21,100

EPA-estimated mileage (city/highway, mpg): 48/45

After seven years on the market, the Prius is still the best hybrid for people who just plain want to burn less gas. It's arguably also the best for people who hope to save money in the long run. Built from scratch as a hybrid, it maximizes interior space and offers a roomy cargo hatch, whereas hybrid sedans tend to diminish trunk space and/or eliminate folding backseats. There is no gas-only version, but there doesn't have to be. It's both the most efficient and most affordable hybrid out there.

2. Saturn Vue Green Line

MSRP: $24,170

EPA-estimated mileage: 25/32

Dramatic mileage boosts get all the attention, but Saturn is onto something with this mild hybrid approach. The current Vue Green Line's premium over the lowest-priced gas-only version is modest -- only 14 percent. All the same, its city and highway mileage increases are 32 and 23 percent, respectively. What's more, it's priced below the V-6 version, whose mileage it roughly doubles. The only drawback: The Vue is the only hybrid SUV not to offer all-wheel drive. (Note: A second Green Line with 2 Mode technology is coming late in 2008 as a 2009 model.)

3. Honda Civic Hybrid

MSRP: $22,600

EPA-estimated mileage: 40/45

Even though its cost premium over the base Civic is 51 percent, its city and highway mileage are 54 percent and 32 percent higher, respectively, than that already-efficient model, making the payoff quite high. It happens to be an excellent car, too.

4. Toyota Camry Hybrid

MSRP $25,200

EPA-estimated mileage: 33/34

Not everyone wants a small, less-refined car like the Prius, which makes the Camry Hybrid the one for the masses. Priced 36 percent higher than the base four-cylinder model, it gets 57 and 10 percent better gas mileage (city and highway), and even more dramatic improvements over the V-6 versions whose prices it rivals.

5. Lexus RX 400h

MSRP: $41,280

EPA-estimated mileage: 27/24

Though it's a luxury model, the RX 400h's price premium is a mere 10 percent over the gas-only RX 350. Combined with a 50 percent city mileage improvement and 4 percent highway bump, it's a compelling package overall. The RX is similar to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which has a lower overall price and 1 mpg higher highway mileage, but that model's higher price premium gives it a lower rank. With optional AWD, the RX 400h (26/24 mpg) is an even better deal, with mileage improvements of 53 percent and 9 percent compared to the all-wheel-drive RX 350.

6. Toyota Highlander Hybrid

MSRP: $33,700

EPA-estimated mileage: 27/25

The Highlander Hybrid comes only with AWD. The most efficient gas Highlander has FWD. In comparison, the hybrid costs 23 percent more and delivers 50 percent better city mileage but only a 4 percent highway improvement. If you want AWD, however, the hybrid costs only 17 percent more than the gas-only model and boasts 59 and 9 percent higher mileage in city and highway driving, respectively.

7. Ford Escape Hybrid

MSRP: $26,505

EPA-estimated mileage: 34/30

The Escape Hybrid's rank is a little surprising, given its impressive mileage, but it's hard to overcome the fact that it costs 40 percent more than the base, four-cylinder Escape. Because of this, its 55 percent city and 7 percent highway mileage improvement can't compensate. If you compare it to the thirstier V-6, however, this hybrid would be higher on the list.