Off Duty, Automotive - Navy Times

2008 Honda Civic hybrid

Summary: The Civic hybrid ranks high on the mileage scale, but not as high as the Prius — and only a few mpg higher than some of the most efficient (and non-hybrid) small cars currently available, including the Scion xD and Toyota Corolla. It is also more expensive than the larger, more efficient Prius.

MSRP: $22,600

EPA mileage: 40 city, 45 highway

Buyer's note: There are more hybrids available to day than ever before, including hybrid versions of SUVs such as the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner and large ultra-luxury sedans such as the Lexus LS600h. However, many of these new hybrids aren't built specifically to improve fuel economy to the greatest extent possible but rather to provide a middle ground between the economy of, for example, a four-cylinder engine and the power/performance of a V-6. Buyers should be aware that the gas mileage advantage of many of these may not be enough to overcome the often much higher purchase price (relative to non-hybrid versions of the same vehicle).