Cars.com just released a list of the top 10 cars for different car segments that deliver the best 'bang for the buck,' or in this case, the best lifetime cost when you add the sticker price and the gas price together.
I was perusing the list (see the press release below) and I noticed for midsize cars, the Prius was right at number 6 despite being surrounded by vehicles which cost $6,000 less. Then I looked at the SUVS list and I noticed the Saturn Vue listed at number 5, while the Saturn Vue Hybrid was listed at number 10.
No other hybrid made the list. That's because the base sticker price for most hybrids is much higher than the top 10 vehicles listed. But at the same time, hybrids tend to get all the high-tech gadgets, so keep that in mind when you do look at the sticker price.
Another thing to keep in mind is this is a very simplistic calculation on the lifetime cost of a car. Sticker price and gas price (calculated over an eight year period), are just the basics. Off the top of my head, there's also dealership rebates, sales, insurance and maintenance costs. For hybrids, you should also look at the federal tax credit (how much you can get depends on your financial situation, which make it is and which model), local and state tax breaks, free parking, access to the HOV, etc... All of these things should go into your decision-making process, not just the gas price.
Press Release Follows:
CHICAGO, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- As the price of gas continues to reach
record highs, more car shoppers are making fuel efficiency a top priority.
While gas mileage typically takes center stage, combining the sticker price
of a car with its predicted lifetime fuel cost can offer consumers a guide
to their overall savings during the lifetime of a car.
"Hybrid cars get a lot of attention when gas prices start to rise. They
certainly can save money at the pump and are typically better for the
environment," said Patrick Olsen, Cars.com managing editor. "However, not
everyone can afford to own a hybrid, and some consumers have needs that are
not met by hybrids. If your primary goal is to save money, there may be
better options."
Cars.com (http://www.cars.com) looks at the top 10 cars in various
vehicle segments that deliver the best bang for the buck based on vehicle
price and average lifetime fuel costs. The Toyota Yaris tops the list with
a base price slightly more than $11,000 for a two-door hatchback and
average fuel economy of 34 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
The list was compiled by combining the base sticker price with a fuel
cost estimate based on the car's estimated gas mileage. Fuel cost estimates
assume the car will be driven 15,000 miles per year, with 45 percent of
those miles on the highway and 55 percent on city streets. The cost of
regular unleaded gasoline in the estimate is $3.13 per gallon, and it
assumes the car is owned for eight years. Premium fuel costs are estimated
at $3.44 per gallon.
Top Compact Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Toyota Yaris 34/40 $11,150 $10,301 $21,451
2. Hyundai Accent 32/35 $10,415 $11,285 $21,700
3. Kia Rio 32/35 $10,770 $11,285 $22,055
4. Chevrolet Aveo5 27/37 $9,995 $12,219 $22,214
5. Chevrolet Aveo 27/37 $12,010 $12,219 $24,229
6. Nissan Versa 30/34 $12,550 $11,857 $24,407
7. Honda Fit 33/38 $13,850 $10,708 $24,558
8. Toyota Corolla 32/41 $14,305 $10,578 $24,883
9. Saturn Ion 26/35 $12,300 $12,775 $25,075
10. Kia Spectra 27/33 $12,895 $12,773 $25,668
Top Midsize Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Hyundai Elantra 28/36 $13,395 $12,073 $25,468
2. Dodge Caliber 28/32 $13,725 $12,660 $26,385
3. Toyota Matrix 30/36 $15,410 $11,581 $26,991
4. Suzuki Aerio 25/31 $14,299 $13,715 $28,014
5. Pontiac Vibe 30/36 $16,760 $11,581 $28,341
6. Toyota Prius 60/51 $22,175 $6,757 $28,932
7. Kia Optima 24/34 $16,355 $13,579 $29,934
8. Nissan Altima 26/35 $17,950 $12,775 $30,725
9. Chevrolet Malibu 24/34 $17,215 $13,579 $30,794
10. Hyundai Sonata 24/34 $17,345 $13,579 $30,924
Top Full-Size Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Chevrolet Impala 21/31 $21,015 $15,289 $36,304
2. Dodge Charger 21/28 $22,100 $15,874 $37,974
3. Ford Five Hundred 21/29 $23,035 $15,665 $38,700
4. Dodge Magnum 21/28 $23,245 $15,874 $39,119
5. Mercury Montego 21/29 $23,835 $15,665 $39,500
6. Toyota Avalon 22/31 $24,320 $15,874 $40,194
7. Buick Lucerne 19/28 $26,875 $14,842 $41,717
8. Kia Amanti 19//26 $25,745 $16,909 $42,654
9. Chrysler 300 21/28 $25,495 $17,373 $42,868
10. Ford Crown Victoria 17/25 $24,620 $18,913 $43,533
Top Luxury Cars City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Volvo S40* 22/29 $24,240 $16,726 $40,966
2. Hyundai Azera 19/28 $24,235 $16,909 $41,144
3. Chrysler Pacifica 18/25 $24,460 $18,237 $42,697
4. Volvo V50* 22/29 $26,690 $16,726 $43,416
5. Lexus IS 250* 24/32 $30,255 $15,265 $45,520
7. Lincoln MKZ 19/27 $29,305 $17,133 $46,438
6. Volvo V70* 22/29 $30,045 $16,726 $46,771
8. Cadillac CTS 18/27 $29,925 $17,737 $47,662
9. Volvo S60* 21/30 $30,885 $17,003 $47,888
10. Mercedes-Benz C230* 19/25 $29,650 $19,380 $49,030
* Premium fuel is recommended by the manufacturer for these cars. Premium
fuel costs of $3.44 a gallon were used in these calculations.
Top Minivans City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Mazda5 22/27 $17,735 $15,650 $33,385
2. Dodge Caravan 20/26 $19,055 $16,830 $35,885
3. Chevrolet Uplander 18/25 $20,205 $18,237 $38,442
4. Kia Sedona 18/25 $20,695 $18,237 $38,932
5. Chrysler Town & Country19/26 $21,695 $17,373 $39,068
6. Saturn Relay 18/25 $21,570 $18,237 $39,807
7. Toyota Sienna 19/26 $24,155 $17,373 $41,528
8. Hyundai Entourage 18/25 $23,895 $18,237 $42,132
9. Ford Freestar 17/23 $23,705 $19,500 $43,205
10. Honda Odyssey 18/25 $25,645 $18,237 $43,882
Top SUVs City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Jeep Patriot 26/30 $14,425 $13,579 $28,004
2. Jeep Compass 26/30 $15,425 $13,579 $29,004
3. Kia Sportage 23/28 $15,900 $15,018 $30,918
4. Hyundai Tucson 23/28 $16,995 $15,018 $32,013
5. Saturn Vue 23/29 $17,475 $14,810 $32,285
6. Ford Escape 24/29 $19,320 $14,436 $33,756
7. Toyota RAV4 24/30 $20,950 $14,242 $35,192
8. Honda CR-V 23/30 $20,600 $14,616 $35,216
9. Honda Element 21/25 $18,900 $16,598 $35,498
10. Saturn Vue Hybrid 27/32 $22,870 $12,933 $35,803
Top Pickup Trucks City/Hwy Base Lifetime Sticker &
mpg Sticker Fuel Cost Lifetime Fuel
1. Ford Ranger 24/29 $13,860 $14,436 $28,296
2. Toyota Tacoma 23/28 $14,180 $15,018 $29,198
3. Mazda B2300 24/29 $15,535 $14,436 $29,971
4. Chevrolet Colorado 20/26 $14,085 $16,830 $30,915
5. GMC Canyon 20/26 $14,235 $16,830 $31,065
6. Nissan Frontier 22/25 $16,050 $16,151 $32,201
7. Isuzu i-290 20/26 $16,989 $16,830 $33,819
8. Chevrolet Silverado Classic17/21 $15,840 $20,260 $36,100
9. GMC Sierra Classic 17/21 $15,840 $20,260 $36,100
10. Mazda B3000 18/23 $19,040 $18,825 $37,865
For a more complete guide to fuel economy, including cars that get the
best gas mileage, information on alternative fuel technology and
fuel-savings tips, visit Cars.com.
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