3 Reasons Your Hybrid Car May Not Save You Money

Are you still convinced driving a hybrid is the answer to all of the energy problems in the universe? Hybrids may have become synonymous with economy, reliability and price.

But does that really constitute a smart purchase? Here’s some data that shouldn’t be ignored.

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid vs. 2009 Ford Escape.

MSRP | Fuel Economy:

Escape Hybrid: $29,645 | 34 mpg city, 31 mpg highway; Escape XLS: $21,645 | 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway

Used Ford Escape – Current Range Examples: $9338 – $15,648.

Break-even Points:
$2/gallon: 312,000 Miles
$2.75: 226,909 Miles
$3: 208,000 Miles
$4: 156,000
$5: 124,000

2010 Toyota Prius vs. 2010 Toyota Corolla

MSRP | Fuel Economy:

Prius: $22,000 | 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway; Corolla: $15,350 | 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway

Used Toyota Corolla – Current Range Examples: $8988 – $15,988 (LE Model)

Break-even Points:
$2/gallon: 249,000 miles
$2.75: 181,364 miles
$3: 166,250 miles
$4: 124,688 miles
$5: 99,750 miles

2009 Honda Civic vs. 2009 Honda Civic DX

MSRP | Fuel Economy:

Civic Hybrid: $23,650 | 40 mpg city, 45 mpg highway; Honda Civic DX: $15,505 | 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway

Used Honda Civic – Current Range Examples: $7938 – $18,948 (Si Model)

Break-even Points:
$2/gallon: 381,562 miles
$2.75: 277,500 miles
$3: 254,375 miles
$4: 190,781 miles
$5: 152,625 miles

Do you honestly think you’ll drive your car more than 250,000 miles?  Considering the average driver keeps a vehicle for approximately five years, it could take you up to 15 years – while driving over 15,000 mile per year – to reach these break-even points.

Are you doing the best vehicle research possible? Are you getting the best car values?

You can’t ignore the facts, especially considering the values within the current used cars market.

Stay tuned for Part II where we’ll consider Total Cost of Ownership as well.