If you're considering a hybrid vehicle, whether it's to save money on gas or to reduce your "carbon footprint," you should know what it will cost you.
Hybrid cars always cost more than their non-hybrid counterparts, even after tax credits. And it takes a while for gasoline-savings to make up for that premium. CNNMoney.com asked the automotive Web site Edmunds.com to compute how long it would take for 13 leading hybrids.
These rankings assume gas prices stay constant and you drive 15,000. If gas prices move higher, or if you drive a lot, the hybrids' premium would be made up for more quickly.
Rank And Years To Repay
1. Toyota Prius 4.2 years
2. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 4.6 years
3. Toyota Camry Hybrid 4.8 years
4. Ford Escape Hybrid 5.0 years
5. Saturn Vue Green Line 5.8 years
6. Mercury Mariner 6.2 years
7. Honda Civic Hybrid 7.4 years
8. Nissan Altima 8.4 years
9. Saturn Aura Green Line 9.4 years
10. Lexus GS 450h 10.8 years
11. Lexus RX400h 11.7 years
12. Toyota Highlander Hybrid 22.8 years
13. Lexus LS600hL 3771 years
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