Most (and least) cost-effective hybrids

How much it costs to save a gallon of gas varies widely, even among closely-related vehicles.

Lexus LS600h L
Lexus LS600h L
Hybrid value rank: 13
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 3,771 years

Typical cost: $104,000

Compared to: Lexus LS460 L with "executive seating," upgraded sound system and performance suspension

Hybrid cost premium: $15,458

Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 21.3 vs. 21.3

Annual fuel savings: $3.09 (1 gallon)

Of course, no-one would actually buy the Lexus LS600h just to save money on gas. At least, we certainly hope they wouldn't. (If anyone did, we hope they got the really, really, really extended warranty.) Lexus sells this car as a more Lexus-like alternative to the performance luxury models offered by competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, only Lexus uses a more efficient way to generate the extra power needed to haul the reclining, massaging rear seat and the little electric beverage cooler. In the non-hybrid version, those added luxuries would probably reduce fuel economy. So, buyers are paying $15,000 to feel not quite so guilty about their pleasures. Pass the free-range foie gras, would you, please?

AOL AUTOS: Vehicle details


Costs

Prius

Malibu

Camry

Escape

Vue

Mariner

Civic

Altima

Aura

GS450h

RX400h

Highlander

LS600h
Hybrid vs. diesel vs. flex-fuel Which will do the most for the environment, fuel supplies and your bank account. (more)
Hybrids: Seven worries, seven answers Sometimes buyers avoid hybrids for the wrong reasons. But, for some buyers, their worries are well founded. (more)
Top 10 best resale value cars Kelley Blue Book predicts how much these vehicles will hold their value. A CNNMoney exclusive. (more)

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.