Each year, new hybrid models continue to impress with their EPA ratings, but are the fuel savings for these vehicles worth their higher price tags? That’s where Cars.com comes in. Reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder devised a formula to determine cars’ efficiency-cost ratings based on combined city/highway mpg and base MSRP. Check out the results to find which hybrids are most worth the cost.
Best Hybrids for the Money (Cars.com)
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Instead of just dividing, why not figure gas savings per MSRP, dollar for dollar?
Let's see, for the 2009 Toyota Prius, you get a combined mpg of 46. Guesstimate a 5 year average gas cost of $4.50/gal and that you drive 15,000 miles per year. With the prius your gas cost is about $1470/yr, or about $7350 for five years. The MSRP is $22,000, so the combined sticker/gas cost estimate for five years is $29,350.
Compare that with a 1.8L, automatic 2009 Toyota Corolla. 30 mpg combined, 5 year gas cost with same assumptions above is $11,250. MSRP is $16,150, so your sticker/gas cost is $27,400.
Which is to say, while the Corolla is not as nice inside as the Prius, if you think you're saving lots of money with high MPG, you might be surprised. Do the comparison with most used cars, and your 5 year sticker/gas cost is far far lower.