There are many different approaches for comparing hybrids to their all gas counterparts.  Each month we prepare three different reports to help users to understand how these vehicles compare to each other.  The current reports use our May, 2008 analysis, and include fuel price at $3.81 per gallon for regular grade fuel, $4.12 per gallon for premium grade fuel and a 3.5% annual fuel inflation factor over 5 years.  Fuel prices are based on a weighted average over the past five months so you may notice that they don't tend to match current prices during times of rapid pricing changes.  We do this so that the analysis will reflect current market trends and not current market extremes.

 

Although Vincentric has data for all 50 states and the US, this analysis uses California data due to the popularity of hybrids in that state.

 

The three reports available for your review are:

 

• COST OF OWNERSHIP and FUEL COST COMPARISON
• TAX CREDIT COMPARISON
• VALUE COMPARISON 

 

 COST OF OWNERSHIP AND FUEL COST COMPARISON

 There has been much debate over whether premium price hybrid vehicles command can be financially justified.  When interpreting the results purely based on the total cost of ownership numbers, the results are wide ranging.  Only four hybrids studied have cost savings that more than offset their price premium:

 

• The Lexus RX 400h  2WD has lower cost of ownership than the all gas powered Lexus RX 350 2WD
• The Lexus RX 400h  AWD has lower cost of ownership than the all gas powered Lexus RX 350 AWD
• The Nissan Altima Hybrid has lower cost of ownership than the all gas powered Nissan Altima S
• The Saturn Vue Hybrid FWD has lower cost of ownership than the all gas powered Saturn Vue XE FWD
• The Honda Civic Hybrid has about the same cost of ownership as the all gas powered Honda Civic EX

 

All other hybrids studied have ownership costs that exceed that of their gas only counterparts.

 

In addition to carbon emmission improvements, hybrids are know for thier improved fuel economy.  The five models that provide the greatest benefit over their gas only counterparts are:

 

• 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid 4D Utility 2WD versus 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 4D Utility 2WD ($4722 improvement)
• 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid 4D Utility 2WD versus 2008 GMC Yukon SLT 4D Utility 2WD ($4722 improvement)
• 2008 Lexus RX 400h 4D Utility AWD versus 2008 Lexus RX 350 4D Utility AWD ($4355 improvement)
• 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4D Utility FWD versus 2008 Mercury Mariner Base 4D Utility FWD ($4252 improvement)
• 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid 4D Utility FWD versus 2008 Ford Escape XLT 4D Utility FWD ($4252 improvement)

 

The hybrid cars with the lowest overall fuel costs, in order, are:

 

• Toyota Prius
• Honda Civic
• Nissan Altima
• Toyota Camry
• Chevy Malibu
• Saturn Aura
• GS 450h
• LS 600h

 

The hybrid trucks/SUVs with the lowest overall fuel costs, in order are:

 

• Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner
• Saturn VUE
• Toyota Highlander
• Lexus RX 400h
• GMC Yukon/Chevrolet Tahoe