You want to buy a hybrid, but you’re concerned about the cost. And you should be: Despite the increasing number of hybrids for sale, all cost more than their conventional twins. Even with tax credits and fuel savings, we found that most hybrid vehicles take awhile to deliver payback in terms of dollars paid, with one or two exceptions. Sure, there’s the reward of fewer emissions, but if you want a smart buy and a low-emissions vehicle, it takes time to pay that hybrid premium! On the following pages, you’ll find all available hybrids compared to their most similar non-hybrid counterpart, with base prices, fuel costs, tax credits, and the hybrid payback.
2006 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid Ext. Cab LT2 2WD
Base Price: $30,705
Tax Credit: $250
Adjusted MSRP: $30,455
Premium: $1,350
MPG: 18/21/19 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,973.68
Gas Savings: $109.65
Years to Payback: 12.3
EPA Pollution Rating: 3.0
Compared to: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic 1500 LT1 Standard Box 2WD
Base Price: $29,105
MPG: 16/21/18 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "Basically a truck with a high-tech starter, the Silverado hybrid generates at most 10 percent fuel economy savings over the regular truck, without compromising power."
2007 Ford Escape Hybrid2007 Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD
Base Price: $26,320
Tax Credit: $2,600
Adjusted MSRP: $23,720
Premium: $775
MPG: 36/31/34 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,102.94
Gas Savings: $459.56
Years to Payback: 1.7
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.5
Compared to: 2007 Ford Escape XLT 2.3L
Base Price: $22,945
MPG: 22/26/24 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "One of the smarter hybrid deals on the market, the Ford Escape Hybrid combines low emissions, fuel savings and a significant tax credit with SUV room and convenience."
2006 GMC Sierra Hybrid2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid Ext. Cab SLE2 2WD
Base Price: $31,215
Tax Credit: $250
Adjusted MSRP: $30,965
Premium: $1,500
MPG: 18/21/19 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,973.68
Gas Savings: $109.65
Years to Payback: 13.7
EPA Pollution Rating: 3.0
Compared to: 2006 GMC Sierra Ext. Cab 1500 SLE2 Standard Box 5.3L
Base Price: $29,465
MPG: 16/20/18 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "A more upstyle version of the Silverado. the GMC Sierra Hybrid delivers the same meager fuel savings and robust power as the Chevy."
2006 Honda Accord Hybrid 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid
Base Price: $31,585
Tax Credit: $1,300
Adjusted MSRP: $30,285
Premium: $2,290
MPG: 25/34/28 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,339.29
Gas Savings: $291.15
Years to Payback: 7.9
EPA Pollution Index: 9.5
Compared to: 2007 Honda Accord Sedan EX-L V6
Base Price: $27,995
MPG: 20/29/23 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "More for performance than fuel savings, the Honda Accord Hybrid combines slightly better fuel economy and low emissions with a torquey, fun ride."
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
Base Price: $22,745
Tax Credit: $2,100
Adjusted MSRP: $20,645
Premium: $790
MPG: 49/51/50 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $750
Gas Savings: $352.94
Years to Payback: 2.2
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.5
Compared to: 2006 Honda Civic EX
Base Price: $19,855
MPG: 30/40/34 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "The Honda Civic Hybrid is roomy, comfortable, efficient, and affordable. We highly recommend a test drive."
2007 Lexus GS 450h2007 Lexus GS 450h
Base Price: $55,615
Tax Credit: $775
Adjusted MSRP: $54,840
Premium: $2,750
MPG: 25/28/26 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,442.31
Gas Savings: $343.41
Years to Payback: 8.0
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.5
Compared to: 2006 Lexus GS 430
Base Price: $52,090
MPG: 18/25/21 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "If you're shopping Lexus, are you really worried about payback? The GS 450h gives you sports car performance with hybrid emissions…and decent fuel economy."
2006 Lexus RX 400h2006 Lexus RX 400h
Base Price: $45,375
Tax Credit: $1,100
Adjusted MSRP: $44,275
Premium: $7,190
MPG: 33/28/30 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,250
Gas Savings: $454.55
Years to Payback: 15.8
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.0
Compared to: 2006 Lexus RX 330
Base Price: $37,085
MPG: 19/25/22 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "With surprisingly peppy performance from a feel-good powertrain, the Lexus RX 400h will be a favorite in upper-class suburbs."
2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD
2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Base Price: $29,840
Tax Credit: $1,950
Adjusted MSRP: $27,890
Premium: $4,355
MPG: 33/29/31 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,209.68
Gas Savings: $494.87
Years to Payback: 8.8
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.5
Compared to: 2006 Mercury Mariner Convenience 4WD
Base Price: $23,535
MPG: 21/24/22 (city/hwy/compared)
Our Take: "For a couple grand more, you can paint your Ford Escape Hybrid black, add a new grille and get a handful of interior upgrades with the Mercury Mariner Hybrid."
2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid
2007 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid
Base Price: $22,995
Tax Credit: $650
Adjusted MSRP: $22,345
Premium: $2,575
MPG: 27/32/29 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,293.10
Gas Savings: $269.40
Years to Payback: 9.6
EPA Pollution Rating: 6.0
Compared to: 2007 Saturn Vue 2.2L AT
Base Price: $19,770
MPG: 22/27/24 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "Hybrid-lite for those put off by the hybrid premium, the Vue combines a respectable sticker price with respectable fuel economy. With a lower tax credit, however, you may wind up paying more, for less."
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Base Price: $26,520
Tax Credit: $1,300
Adjusted MSRP: $25,220
Premium: $3,825
MPG: 40/38/39 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $961.54
Gas Savings: $427.35
Years to Payback: 9.0
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.5
Compared to: 2007 Toyota Camry LE AT
Base Price: $21,395
MPG: 24/33/27 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "All Camry, with hybrid economy. A can't miss hit if you like saving money at the pump and limiting your emissions."
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited
Base Price: $38,535
Tax Credit: $1,300
Adjusted MSRP: $37,235
Premium: $5,780
MPG: 33/28/30 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $1,250
Gas Savings: $535.71
Years to Payback: 10.8
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.0
Compared to: 2007 Toyota Highlander Limited V6
Base Price: $31,455
MPG: 19/25/21 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "A great buy if you're looking for more performance out of a Highlander SUV and don't care too much about fuel economy. Try the four-cylinder Highlander if you're after MPG."
2007 Toyota Prius
2007 Toyota Prius
Base Price: $22,795
Tax Credit: $1,575
Adjusted MSRP: $21,220
Premium: $3,860
MPG: 60/51/55 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $681.82
Gas Savings: $527.86
Years to Payback: 7.3
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.5
Compared to: 2007 Toyota Matrix XR
Base Price: $17,360
MPG: 30/36/31 (city/hwy/combined)
Our Take: "The less expensive Matrix offers the same hatchback body style, similar power numbers but 24 MPG less than the Prius. The combination of 50 MPG and ultra-clean emissions makes the Prius a hybrid star, no matter what the payback."
Photos by Ron Perry and the automakers
