Most (and least) cost-effective hybrids

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

Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
Hybrid value rank: 1
Time to recoup premium in fuel savings alone: 4.2 years

Typical cost: $22,279

Compared to: Toyota Camry LE 4-cylinder

Hybrid cost premium: $2,303 (Based on Edmunds.com "True Market Value." No tax credits are available on Toyota vehicles.)

Overall mpg vs. non-hybrid: 46 vs. 29.9

Annual fuel savings: $543 (175 gallons)

The comparison to a 4-cylinder Camry makes sense because the Prius offers almost the same amount of interior space. Since the Prius was designed from the wheels up as a hybrid vehicle, its hatchback body style offers ample storage space.

The Prius' hybrid-only design also allowed engineers to maximize its fuel economy. For instance, the Prius gains fuel economy through its unique aerodynamic shape as well as through its hybrid drivetrain.

AOL Autos: Vehicle details


Costs

Prius

Malibu

Camry

Escape

Vue

Mariner

Civic

Altima

Aura

GS450h

RX400h

Highlander

LS600h
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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.