Gas Price Plus Sticker Price Means Hybrid?

Cars.com just released a list of the top 10 cars for different car segments that deliver the best 'bang for the buck,' or in this case, the best lifetime cost when you add the sticker price and the gas price together.

I was perusing the list (see the press release below) and I noticed for midsize cars, the Prius was right at number 6 despite being surrounded by vehicles which cost $6,000 less. Then I looked at the SUVS list and I noticed the Saturn Vue listed at number 5, while the Saturn Vue Hybrid was listed at number 10.

No other hybrid made the list. That's because the base sticker price for most hybrids is much higher than the top 10 vehicles listed. But at the same time, hybrids tend to get all the high-tech gadgets, so keep that in mind when you do look at the sticker price.

Another thing to keep in mind is this is a very simplistic calculation on the lifetime cost of a car. Sticker price and gas price (calculated over an eight year period), are just the basics. Off the top of my head, there's also dealership rebates, sales, insurance and maintenance costs. For hybrids, you should also look at the federal tax credit (how much you can get depends on your financial situation, which make it is and which model), local and state tax breaks, free parking, access to the HOV, etc... All of these things should go into your decision-making process, not just the gas price.

Press Release Follows:

CHICAGO, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As the price of gas continues to reach
record highs, more car shoppers are making fuel efficiency a top priority.
While gas mileage typically takes center stage, combining the sticker price
of a car with its predicted lifetime fuel cost can offer consumers a guide
to their overall savings during the lifetime of a car.
   "Hybrid cars get a lot of attention when gas prices start to rise. They
certainly can save money at the pump and are typically better for the
environment," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com managing editor. "However, not
everyone can afford to own a hybrid, and some consumers have needs that are
not met by hybrids. If your primary goal is to save money, there may be
better options."
   Cars.com (http://www.cars.com) looks at the top 10 cars in various
vehicle segments that deliver the best bang for the buck based on vehicle
price and average lifetime fuel costs. The Toyota Yaris tops the list with
a base price slightly more than $11,000 for a two-door hatchback and
average fuel economy of 34 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
   The list was compiled by combining the base sticker price with a fuel
cost estimate based on the car's estimated gas mileage. Fuel cost estimates
assume the car will be driven 15,000 miles per year, with 45 percent of
those miles on the highway and 55 percent on city streets. The cost of
regular unleaded gasoline in the estimate is $3.13 per gallon, and it
assumes the car is owned for eight years. Premium fuel costs are estimated
at $3.44 per gallon.
   Top Compact Cars       City/Hwy      Base       Lifetime     Sticker &
                             mpg       Sticker     Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
   1. Toyota Yaris          34/40      $11,150      $10,301      $21,451
   2. Hyundai Accent        32/35      $10,415      $11,285      $21,700
   3. Kia Rio               32/35      $10,770      $11,285      $22,055
   4. Chevrolet Aveo5       27/37       $9,995      $12,219      $22,214
   5. Chevrolet Aveo        27/37      $12,010      $12,219      $24,229
   6. Nissan Versa          30/34      $12,550      $11,857      $24,407
   7. Honda Fit             33/38      $13,850      $10,708      $24,558
   8. Toyota Corolla        32/41      $14,305      $10,578      $24,883
   9. Saturn Ion            26/35      $12,300      $12,775      $25,075
   10. Kia Spectra          27/33      $12,895      $12,773      $25,668

   Top Midsize Cars       City/Hwy      Base       Lifetime     Sticker &
                             mpg       Sticker     Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
   1. Hyundai Elantra       28/36      $13,395      $12,073      $25,468
   2. Dodge Caliber         28/32      $13,725      $12,660      $26,385
   3. Toyota Matrix         30/36      $15,410      $11,581      $26,991
   4. Suzuki Aerio          25/31      $14,299      $13,715      $28,014
   5. Pontiac Vibe          30/36      $16,760      $11,581      $28,341
   6. Toyota Prius          60/51      $22,175       $6,757      $28,932
   7. Kia Optima            24/34      $16,355      $13,579      $29,934
   8. Nissan Altima         26/35      $17,950      $12,775      $30,725
   9. Chevrolet Malibu      24/34      $17,215      $13,579      $30,794
   10. Hyundai Sonata       24/34      $17,345      $13,579      $30,924

   Top Full-Size Cars     City/Hwy      Base       Lifetime     Sticker &
                             mpg       Sticker     Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
   1. Chevrolet Impala      21/31      $21,015      $15,289      $36,304
   2. Dodge Charger         21/28      $22,100      $15,874      $37,974
   3. Ford Five Hundred     21/29      $23,035      $15,665      $38,700
   4. Dodge Magnum          21/28      $23,245      $15,874      $39,119
   5. Mercury Montego       21/29      $23,835      $15,665      $39,500
   6. Toyota Avalon         22/31      $24,320      $15,874      $40,194
   7. Buick Lucerne         19/28      $26,875      $14,842      $41,717
   8. Kia Amanti           19//26      $25,745      $16,909      $42,654
   9. Chrysler 300          21/28      $25,495      $17,373      $42,868
   10. Ford Crown Victoria  17/25      $24,620      $18,913      $43,533

   Top Luxury Cars        City/Hwy      Base       Lifetime     Sticker &
                             mpg       Sticker     Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
   1. Volvo S40*            22/29      $24,240      $16,726      $40,966
   2. Hyundai Azera         19/28      $24,235      $16,909      $41,144
   3. Chrysler Pacifica     18/25      $24,460      $18,237      $42,697
   4. Volvo V50*            22/29      $26,690      $16,726      $43,416
   5. Lexus IS 250*         24/32      $30,255      $15,265      $45,520
   7. Lincoln MKZ           19/27      $29,305      $17,133      $46,438
   6. Volvo V70*            22/29      $30,045      $16,726      $46,771
   8. Cadillac CTS          18/27      $29,925      $17,737      $47,662
   9. Volvo S60*            21/30      $30,885      $17,003      $47,888
   10. Mercedes-Benz C230*  19/25      $29,650      $19,380      $49,030
   * Premium fuel is recommended by the manufacturer for these cars. Premium
   fuel costs of $3.44 a gallon were used in these calculations.

   Top Minivans           City/Hwy      Base       Lifetime     Sticker &
                             mpg       Sticker      Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
   1. Mazda5                22/27      $17,735      $15,650      $33,385
   2. Dodge Caravan         20/26      $19,055      $16,830      $35,885
   3. Chevrolet Uplander    18/25      $20,205      $18,237      $38,442
   4. Kia Sedona            18/25      $20,695      $18,237      $38,932
   5. Chrysler Town & Country19/26      $21,695      $17,373      $39,068
   6. Saturn Relay          18/25      $21,570      $18,237      $39,807
   7. Toyota Sienna         19/26      $24,155      $17,373      $41,528
   8. Hyundai Entourage     18/25      $23,895      $18,237      $42,132
   9. Ford Freestar         17/23      $23,705      $19,500      $43,205
   10. Honda Odyssey        18/25      $25,645      $18,237      $43,882

   Top SUVs               City/Hwy      Base       Lifetime     Sticker &
                             mpg       Sticker     Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
   1. Jeep Patriot          26/30      $14,425      $13,579      $28,004
   2. Jeep Compass          26/30      $15,425      $13,579      $29,004
   3. Kia Sportage          23/28      $15,900      $15,018      $30,918
   4. Hyundai Tucson        23/28      $16,995      $15,018      $32,013
   5. Saturn Vue            23/29      $17,475      $14,810      $32,285
   6. Ford Escape           24/29      $19,320      $14,436      $33,756
   7. Toyota RAV4           24/30      $20,950      $14,242      $35,192
   8. Honda CR-V            23/30      $20,600      $14,616      $35,216
   9. Honda Element         21/25      $18,900      $16,598      $35,498
   10. Saturn Vue Hybrid    27/32      $22,870      $12,933      $35,803

   Top Pickup Trucks      City/Hwy      Base       Lifetime     Sticker &
                             mpg       Sticker      Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
   1. Ford Ranger           24/29      $13,860      $14,436      $28,296
   2. Toyota Tacoma         23/28      $14,180      $15,018      $29,198
   3. Mazda B2300           24/29      $15,535      $14,436      $29,971
   4. Chevrolet Colorado    20/26      $14,085      $16,830      $30,915
   5. GMC Canyon            20/26      $14,235      $16,830      $31,065
   6. Nissan Frontier       22/25      $16,050      $16,151      $32,201
   7. Isuzu i-290           20/26      $16,989      $16,830      $33,819
   8. Chevrolet Silverado Classic17/21  $15,840      $20,260      $36,100
   9. GMC Sierra Classic    17/21      $15,840      $20,260      $36,100
   10. Mazda B3000          18/23      $19,040      $18,825      $37,865
   For a more complete guide to fuel economy, including cars that get the
best gas mileage, information on alternative fuel technology and
fuel-savings tips, visit Cars.com.