All-Hybrid Payback Gallery

Hybrid Values - Feature: 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. Note: All prices include destination charges, and fuel savings is based on 15,000 miles per year, at $2.50 per gallon.

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 Hybrid

2007 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 Hybrid

2006 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 450h

2007 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 400h

2006 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."