So says data-tracking company Vincentric, which calculated the five-year cost of ownership for various models. Green-car advocates will be disappointed to know that just 10 of the 31 US hybrids saved their owners money. Hybrids typically cost about $4,300 more than gas-powered vehicles while saving about $2,900 in fueling costs.
Take the Lexus CT 200h. On average, it saved buyers more than $7,600 over a five-year period after factoring in the higher price tag and lower refueling costs. The Toyota Avalon Hybrid saved almost $3,400. On the flipside, the Lexus GS 450h had a five-year cost surplus of almost $8,200, while the average Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid cost their owners more than $7,500 more. The Toyota Prius escaped scrutiny because it doesn’t have a gas-powered version. You can read more, and get the PDF, over at Vincentric.
Of course, with gas prices down about nine percent in the past year, the 10-to-21 savers-to-spenders hybrid ratio could worsen. As it is, year-over-year hybrid sales are down, while pickup-truck sales are rising
