Consumer Reports Hybrid Analysis

[Pipemajor]

My CR copy arrived in the mail today and I turned to the feature where they did a comprehensive analysis of which hybrids wind up saving you the most money. They compared the price premium over the non-hybrid model of the same vehicle (or similar as noted), factored in fuel savings over 5 years and other factors including depreciation, insurance, interest on financing, maintenance/repairs and sales tax/rebate.

There were some of the 12 hybrids reviewed which will NEVER break even. Those include:

• Lexus GS450h (-$5,500 loss compared to GS 350 RWD)
• Lexus RX400h (-$1,500 loss)
• Toyota Highlander (-$1,250 loss)
• Nissan Altima (-$750 loss)
• Honda Civic Hybrid (-$500 loss)
• Saturn Aura (-$250 loss)

All the above hybrids still wound up costing more over a five year period.

Those which wound up saving you $$ over the five year period (total savings noted):

• Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid ($500 savings)
• Ford Escape Hybrid ($750 savings)
• Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid ($1,500 savings)
• Toyota Prius Hybrid ($2,000 savings over Corolla XLE)
• Saturn Vue Greenline Hybrid ($3,000 savings)
• Toyota Camry Hybrid ($4,500 savings)

That's almost a $1,000 per year savings on the TCH - or not quite 2 months of car payments.

Way to go TCH!!!

[mgoblue6202]

That's quite the awesome report to read, especially since I chose the TCH over the more popular and seemingly higher rated Prius. So It's nice to see that ranked a little bit lower while still having 2 Toyotas in the top 5.

[imbalayo]

If you can find a new Preius selling for MSRP?

[geoff5093]

I spent about $3,500-$4,000 in one year on gas alone, so the gas savings does add up quick!

[Pipemajor]

Originally Posted by geoff5093

I spent about $3,500-$4,000 in one year on gas alone, so the gas savings does add up quick!

That's 1,000 gallons annually. New EPA numbers pen the V-6 Camry @ 24mpg so that's 24,000 miles/year. If you take the TCH with same annual mileage @ 34mpg you'd be drinking only 705 gallons annually, thus saving $1,088 at $3.69/gallon.

Our TCH racks up less than 14k miles per year. The best way to save $$ still is to leave it in the garage!!!

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by Pipemajor

That's 1,000 gallons annually. New EPA numbers pen the V-6 Camry @ 24mpg so that's 24,000 miles/year. If you take the TCH with same annual mileage @ 34mpg you'd be drinking only 705 gallons annually, thus saving $1,088 at $3.69/gallon.

Our TCH racks up less than 14k miles per year. The best way to save $$ still is to leave it in the garage!!!

Yup, I drove about 26,000 miles the first year I had my car.