Hybrid savings: Winners and losers

Check out the Toyota Prius on AOL Autos

Despite its high fuel economy, the Prius ranks relatively low in Consumer Reports' analysis in part because the magazine compared the Prius to the Toyota Corolla compact car. (In all other cases, the vehicles were compared with versions without the hybrid system, but there is no non-hybrid Prius.)

While the Prius' exterior is similar in size to the Corolla, its interior dimensions are actually closer to the Toyota Camry mid-size car, so it might also be valid to compare the Prius to that car as well.

If it was compared with the Camry, which costs more and gets lower fuel economy than the Corolla, the Prius would have ranked at the top of this list by a wide margin. Total five-year savings, according to Consumer Reports' figures, would be about $10,000.

But Consumer Reports says that it finds the recently redesigned Corolla, which is larger and offer more amenities than the old version, to be a more fitting comparison.

NEXT: Winner: Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid