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Saving gas matters. But so does saving money. When looking to save at the pump, you don't want to make significant compromises. Truly, no one wants to drive a lousy, annoying car, sacrificing comfort on the altar of saving the planet. Fortunately, the cost premiums for some hybrids are coming down, in some cases to nothing, and the prices are plummeting on a few of the nicest hybrids to drive.
After analyzing the full breadth of hybrid offerings, we have narrowed down the list of the five hybrids that require the least financial sacrifice and provide the quickest payback.
To calculate the list, we looked at starting prices of several hybrids and their base, nonhybrid equivalents.
We calculated payback times based only on gas savings, although we've previously found that many hybrids also have lower depreciation and insurance costs, which could save owners even more money. We calculated gas savings using the overall mpg the cars got on our road tests, figured $3.60 a gallon gas cost based on the national average, and assumed annual mileage of 12,000.
Through the process, we were reminded that hybrid systems cost something to build. To keep the price down compared to conventional models, some hybrids may concede performance or equipment. The two hybrids that cost less or the same as their counterparts are luxury cars that don't offer a standard conventional four-cylinder engine. These models offer only a choice of a hybrid or a much quicker, more powerful V6 or turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
All five cars on this list pay off well within the average ownership timeframe of five years, or at least within the period the increasingly common 72-month finance term. Other hybrid models still add thousands to the bottom line, making their purchase much harder to justify for saving money.
Visit our guides to fuel economy and alternative fuels.
Extra cost: -$2,675
Pay back time: Immediate
The LaCrosse eAssist, with its mild-hybrid system, actually costs than $2,500 less than a nonhybrid LaCrosse. The conventional LaCrosse uses a V6 engine—typical in such a large luxury car. The eAssist hybrid is notably more sluggish than the V6, requiring two more seconds to sprint from 0-60 mph, and it loses some trunk space to the battery. But it's still a luxuriously quiet and comfortable cruiser, and it achieves 26 mpg overall—6 more mpg than the V6.
Extra cost: $0
Pay back time: Immediate
You read that right: the MKZ Hybrid costs the same $36,190 as the non-hybrid four-cylinder turbo model. The Hybrid gets an impressive 34 mpg, compared with the base model's modest 23 mpg. So you save money on gas right out of the gate, and it doesn't cost you any extra. We also found the MKZ Hybrid a really nice car to drive, favoring it over the six-cylinder version. But the MyLincoln Touch controls were equally annoying in both. Either way, the upscale MKZ is the most appealing and well-executed Lincoln in memory.
Extra cost: $1,750
Payback time: 2.9 years
We found the Hybrid to be the nicest version of the Avalon to drive and to live with, in part because it rides better than the non-hybrid Avalon we tested. It also gets 36 mpg overall—quite impressive for a large luxury car. The conventional Avalon gets 24 mpg with its 268-hp V6. Both variations are very comfortable highway cruisers, but on a long trip, who wouldn't want to get the best mileage?
Extra cost: $2,000
Payback time: 4.9 years
We haven't tested the ILX Hybrid. But we have a pretty good idea how it would perform based on testing the regular ILX and the Honda Civic Hybrid, on which the ILX is based. Based on our tests and government ratings, we think it's reasonable to expect a 10 mpg improvement for the ILX Hybrid, or about 38 mpg overall. Given that sizeable mileage boost, and a low cost premium of $29,975 versus $27,975, we'd expect this Acura to pay back its extra cost in about five years.
Like the Toyota Avalon Hybrid, we think the ES 300h makes a lot of sense compared with the ES 350. It offers a lot of luxury with a notable 36 mpg overall. That's an outstanding combination for $40,410, even compared with the $2,880 cheaper ES 350, which gets just 25 mpg. The payoff for the hybrid is at the outer edges of a typical ownership period, so be careful to consider how long you plan to own the car before committing to the hybrid. No matter which ES you buy, this Lexus scores well in our road tests, but delivers only ordinary ride and handling for its luxury price tag. At least their reliability is predicted to be much better than average.
Honorable mention: Kia Optima Hybrid
We don't expect much in the way of gas mileage from this Korean hybrid; its Hyundai Sonata twin got 33 mpg in our testing—not impressive for a hybrid. But it has one of the lowest hybrid price premiums on the market at just $2,550.
There's no shortage of hybrids that cost a lot extra and deliver very little in the way of gas savings, as these models show.
–Eric Evarts
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