In honor of Earth Day, shopautoweek.com navigated the increasingly crowded green-car market to find seven gasoline-powered hybrids that, at more than 40 mpg each, will help you save green by going green.
With the national average price for a gallon of gas hovering near the $4 mark, drivers may be looking to save at the pump, if not avoid it altogether. While eliminating fuel consumption sounds like the ideal
choice, all-electric vehicles may not be practical for everyone just yet. Plug-in hybrids are a viable option, but the sticker price may be a bit high for some. Hybrid vehicles, however, are an easy step in the green
direction.
"If you're looking for something that sips gasoline for both city and highway driving, there are several 2012 model hybrids with impressive fuel economy that can help you save significantly year round without too much of an investment up front or changing your driving habits drastically," says shopautoweek.com associate editor Angie Fisher.
A sample from shoautoweek.com's list below reveals a selection of vehicles that take it easy on the planet and your wallet, at more than
40 mpg each with annual fuel costs under $1,500:
Toyota Prius C: 50 mpg combined, $1,200 annual fuel cost The
Toyota Prius family is synonymous with fuel efficiency, making green
cars mainstream with the Prius debut more than a decade ago. Now, in
addition to the Prius hatchback, the lineup grows to include a larger Prius
V wagon, a Prius plug-in and the subcompact Prius C. Prius vehicles aren't known for fun driving dynamics but are better suited for someone
seeking class-leading fuel economy.
Honda Civic hybrid: 44 mpg combined, $1,350 annual fuel cost
The Honda Civic hybrid is a fun-to-drive sedan that is fuel efficient,
sporty and stylish. In addition to the hybrid gas/electric engine, the
Civic comes in standard gasoline and natural gas versions, and all
achieve nearly 40 mpg highway or better.
Lexus CT 200h: 42 mpg combined, $1,400 annual fuel cost based on the Toyota Prius, the Lexus CT 200h is a performance-oriented hybrid. The luxury automaker took America's most well-known hybrid and made
improvements to the ride handling. It's still a hybrid, so don't expect
a jaw-dropping 0-to-60-mph time, but it is a stylish and sporty option
for hybrids.
