Hybrid Car Fuel Economy

When people talk about hybrid cars, the conversation almost always turns to fuel economy.

1. Do hybrid cars get better fuel economy?
2. Are they worth the extra cost?
3. What about those EPA numbers, are they accurate?

Our president talks constantly about our addiction to foreign oil. Congress is working on new legislation to increase fleet wide fuel efficiency. And everybody seems to be talking about high gas prices are.

Hybrid Car Fuel Economy Answers
The answers are simple.

1. Yes, hybrid cars do get better fuel economy in general than most normal cars. In fact, according to fueleconomy.gov, they are the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road.
2. And yes, they are worth the premium you need to pay mostly because you will save money on fuel.
3. The EPA numbers are not correct for hybrid cars. But then, they aren't correct for any cars.

For more information, keep reading below.

Hybrid Car Sales and Fuel Economy
Hybrid car sales live and die by their fuel economy numbers. The Toyota Prius is the number one hybrid because it has the highest numbers out today. The 2008 model has a real world EPA rating of 48 city/ 45 highway. That makes it the most fuel efficient car on the road today.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is the most fuel efficient SUV on the road today, with a 31 city/ 29 highway rating from the EPA. That gives it one of the highest ratings of any car on the road today.

2007 Model Year Overall Fuel Economy Leaders

Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway

1. Toyota Prius (hybrid-electric) 60/51*
2. Honda Civic Hybrid 49/51
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid 40/38
4. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 36/31
5. Toyota Yaris (manual) 34/40
6. Toyota Yaris (automatic) 34/39
7. Honda Fit (manual) 33/38
8. Toyota Corolla (manual) 32/41
9. Hyundai Accent (manual) 32/35,
   Kia Rio (manual) 32/35
10. Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD 32/29,
    Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD 32/29

* Note the Prius numbers dropped from 2007 to 2008 because of the changes in the EPA ratings system. The EPA went to a 'real world' rating system for fuel economy.

But just being a hybrid is not enough. The Honda Accord Hybrid was recently set to retire by Honda because of low sales. The Accord Hybrid was built to improve performance, not fuel economy, and was set for failure ever since. The Honda Insight, despite its record fuel economy numbers, was also retired on low sales. Being a two-seater, it just wasn't a practical choice for many.

Hybrid Cars Are Greener
But being a hybrid can be good in other ways. The Honda Civic Hybrid, the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the Ford Escape Hybrid are the top four greenest cars.

Hybrid Cars Are Economically Sound
While more fuel economic vehicles may be on the way, for right now hybrid cars are the most economical choices. A recent study by Intellichoice showed all hybrids would save their owners money in the long run. Most of those savings come from their high fuel economy numbers, but the federal tax credits, high resale value, and equivalent maintenance and repair bills all add up to the plus side for hybrid cars. Even mild hybrids such as those produced by GM (Saturn Vue Hybrid, for example) were shown to break even.

Our addiction to oil may not be broken by hybrid cars, but until those cars that run on hydrogen come along, they are certainly helping with their high fuel economy.