There is two main reasons why these "hybrid cars" have become so popular over the past few years. Excessively high gas prices that continue to raise, and a large concern for the environment. Now, both of these problems are very serious, and hybrid cars seem to be the solution to both of them. If you own a hybrid car, you will save a significant amount of money by spending less time at the gas station, you are also emitting less pollutants into the air, therefore preserving the environment. On top of that, ownership of a hybrid car provides you with some beneficial tax credits in many different states.



Therefore, hybrid car sales have increased dramatically. As well as many car manufacturers joining the competition with their own versions of hybrid cars. Compared to a few years ago when there was only a few vehicles available, now there are quite a few that must be compared to find the one that is the best as well as most fitting to your needs and wants.

At the top of the chain for hybrid car manufacturers are Honda and Toyota. They make the most sought after hybrid cars of today, and are known for their many innovations in the technology that accomodates hybrids.

We will do a comparison of five hybrid cars that were sold in 2007. The Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and the Lexus GS 450H.

In these comparisons we will be taking the highway miles to the gallon as well as the city miles per gallon, and last but not least combining these two together to get a combined average usage.

Honda Accord Hybrid: 28 MPG [city], 35 MPG [highway], 31 MPG [combined average].

Honda Civic Hybrid: 49 MPG [city], 51 MPG [highway], 50 MPG [combined average].

Lexus GS 450H: 25 MPG [city], 28 MPG [highway], 26 MPG [combined average].

Toyota Camry Hybrid: 40 MPG [city], 38 MPG [highway], 39 MPG [combined average].

Toyota Prius: 60 MPG [city], 51 MPG [highway], 55 MPG [combined average].

Before taking these numbers and making your decision there are still a few variables that you have to take into consideration. One of these is what fuel type these cars require. All of them but the Lexus uses regular gasoline, where as the 450H consumes premium which is more expensive.

Another thing to consider is the size class for these vehicles as well as their engine size and liters. The Honda Accord [midsize, 3 liter, 6 cylinder], Honda Civic [compact, 1.3 liter, 4 cylinder], Lexus GS 450H [compact, 3.5 liter, 6 cylinder], Toyota Camry [midsize, 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder], and the Toyota Prius [compact, 1.5 liter, 4 cylinder]. The more powerful the engine, the more fuel it will consume, which is why these factors need to be taken into consideration.

The research above is only two aspects of comparison between five different hybrid cars, nowadays you are going to have to compare more vehicles as well as more variables. Before purchasing a hybrid car, make sure to do the research. Find out what exactly it is you are looking for in a hybrid car, what you can do without and what you have to have, and then make your decision.