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Forbes Lists Least Fuel-Efficient Hybrids
Not All Hybrid Models Worth The Green
POSTED: 7:03 am PDT October 26,
2007
UPDATED: 6:45 am PST November 5,
2007
As gas prices edge closer to $3 a gallon, more and more car buyers are flirting with the idea of purchasing a hybrid.Consumers looking for an environmentally, gas-saving vehicle the choices are plentiful -- almost every major auto maker has some sort of hybrid on the market.But buyers need to know-- not all hybrids are equal or fuel efficient.
So to aid consumers sort through the flooded hybrid market, Forbes compiled a list of the least fuel efficient models.Many of the market's hybrids--cars that combine gasoline engines with battery-powered electric motors--forsake fuel-efficiency in the name of power and performance.For example: the 2007 GMC Sierra Classic Hybrid gets an average of only 16 miles per gallon and its estimated fuel cost per year is more than $2,600, but sports a large V-8, 5.3-liter engine.If gas mileage is your first priority -- you might want to sacrifice power and performance for a smaller hybrid like the Toyota Prius, a car that gets an average of 48 miles per gallon with an estimated annual fuel cost of $900.So before you head to the dealer for a test drive, review Forbes' list.
MSRP: $29,310
Expect to spend between $80-$90 when you stop at the pump and the V8, 5.3-liter engine only gets 16 mpg.
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $2,142
This Lexus has a V8 engine with 389 horsepower, but it's offset by its poor fuel efficiency at 21 mpg.
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,958
The first rear-wheel drive hybrid has a V6 292-horsepower engine, but averages 23 mpg.
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,617
This light hybrid weighs just 3,207 lbs and gets 26 mpg, but the four-cylinder, 170-horsepower engine is sluggish.
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,617
This 2WD hybrid has a V6 engine with 208 horsepower on a four-wheel drivetrain and gets 26 mpg, but the off-road traction isn't impressive.
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,733
The V6 engine offers the same horsepower and fuel economy as the Highlander, but costs $8,000 more.
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,554
The Accord hybrid's engine actually outperforms the conventional Accord, but costs significantly more. But at only 27 mpg, there isn't a cost savings.
MSRP: $22,695
Referred to as a "mild hybrid," the 164-horsepower, four-cylinder engine doesn't come with a hybrid drivetrain. The Aura gets 27 mpg and is one of the least expensive hybrids on the market.
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,554
The Malibu's fuel economy is only about a two-mile-per-gallon improvement over the non-Hybrid model.
Least Fuel-Efficent Hybrids
1. 2007 GMC Sierra Classic 15 Hybrid 4WD
MSRP: $21,860 to $28,050 Estimated yearly fuel cost: $2,625 This hybrid weighs 5,000 lbs. and with its V8 engine, it's a real gas guzzler at just 16 mpg - its conventional-powered counterpart averages 15 mpg.2. 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic 15 Hybrid 4WD
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $2,625MSRP: $29,310
Expect to spend between $80-$90 when you stop at the pump and the V8, 5.3-liter engine only gets 16 mpg.
3. 2008 Lexus LS 600h L
MSRP: $104,000Estimated yearly fuel cost: $2,142
This Lexus has a V8 engine with 389 horsepower, but it's offset by its poor fuel efficiency at 21 mpg.
4. 2007 Lexus GS 450h
MSRP: $54,900Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,958
The first rear-wheel drive hybrid has a V6 292-horsepower engine, but averages 23 mpg.
5. 2007 Saturn Vue Hybrid
MSRP: $22,870Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,617
This light hybrid weighs just 3,207 lbs and gets 26 mpg, but the four-cylinder, 170-horsepower engine is sluggish.
6. 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD
MSRP: $32,490 to $36,010Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,617
This 2WD hybrid has a V6 engine with 208 horsepower on a four-wheel drivetrain and gets 26 mpg, but the off-road traction isn't impressive.
7. 2007 Lexus RX 400h 4WD
MSRP: $41,180 to $42,580Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,733
The V6 engine offers the same horsepower and fuel economy as the Highlander, but costs $8,000 more.
8. 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid
MSRP: $31,090Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,554
The Accord hybrid's engine actually outperforms the conventional Accord, but costs significantly more. But at only 27 mpg, there isn't a cost savings.
9. 2008 Saturn Aura Hybrid
Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,554MSRP: $22,695
Referred to as a "mild hybrid," the 164-horsepower, four-cylinder engine doesn't come with a hybrid drivetrain. The Aura gets 27 mpg and is one of the least expensive hybrids on the market.
10. 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
MSRP: $22,790Estimated yearly fuel cost: $1,554
The Malibu's fuel economy is only about a two-mile-per-gallon improvement over the non-Hybrid model.
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