Hybrid Car Review

Kelley Blue Books latest survey shows how drivers are looking to save money on gas by maintaining their cars better than they do now.

• Nearly 60 percent would change their filters at scheduled intervals and/or check their tire pressure regularly.
• If they performed these measures, 68 percent believe they would save up to $200 annually.
  

"Gas prices have reached levels that are causing consumers to take steps they may not have when pump prices were more moderate to improve fuel economy and save a few dollars," said Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "If these consumers actually perform all of these gas saving tips, it's likely they could save up to 15 or 20 percent of their entire fuel costs annually."

But not everyone was willing to do everything. Only:

• 23 percent were willing to reduce A/C use;
• 17 percent were willing to clean their fuel injector;
• 5 percent would use a fuel additive in each fill-up to increase engine performance;
• 26 percent would employ all of these tips to improve fuel economy or save money;
• and 5 percent said they would not do any of the above.
  

Kelley Blue Books Survey seems to be indicating the same trends in buying patterns we're seeing right now:

• 69 percent are likely to change to a more fuel efficient car
• 22 percent would buy a hybrid
• 21 percent would take it a size down
• 14 percent would buy a car with a smaller engine with less power
• 12 percent would buy a diesel
• 31 percent would not change at all.

The following table deliberately excludes the Toyota Prius because "the Prius doesn't necessarily fit every lifestyle".

Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com Editors' Top Picks for Best Fuel-Efficient Vehicles

Category	Vehicle (City/Highway*)	Kbb.com Editorial Staff Comments
Small Sedan	Honda Civic Hybrid (40/45)	The Honda Civic Hybrid is the Prius alternative with more mainstream styling, if not all the fuel economy.
Mids-Size Sedan	Nissan Altima Hybrid (35/33)	Beneath its sporty-sedan sheet metal, Nissan's Altima Hybrid uses licensed Toyota hybrid technology.
Luxury Sedan	Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (23/32)	Powered by a state-of-the-art clean diesel engine, the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec is as powerful and smooth as you'd expect anything wearing a three-pointed star to be.
Compact Pickup	Toyota Tacoma (20/26)	The Toyota Tacoma's bulletproof reputation for reliability is backed up by some of the category's best fuel economy.
Full-Size Pickup	Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra (15/20)	GM's excellent new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are just about the most fuel-efficient full-size pickups out there.
Coupe	Audi TT (23/31)	The 2008 Audi TT deftly maximizes turbo power and efficiency in one fun and fuel-frugal coupe.
Small SUV	Ford Escape Hybrid (31/30)	Revamped for 2008, the Ford Escape Hybrid combines excellent mileage with versatility.
Mid-Size SUV	Toyota Highlander Hybrid (28/25)	The Highlander Hybrid is Toyota's only hybrid SUV, and the only one to boast a lineage that includes the revolutionary Prius.
Large SUV	GMC Acadia (16/24)	With more total cargo volume than the brand's own Yukon, the three-row GMC Acadia delivers everything most families require from a traditional full-size SUV but with significantly better mileage.
Convertible	Mazda MX-5 (22/27)	Some of the same characteristics that make the small and lightweight Mazda MX-5 one of the purest driver's cars of all time help make it a joy at the gas pump, too.
Minivan	Honda Odyssey (17/24)	What some consider the best minivan available, the Honda Odyssey, also delivers the best mileage. Under light loads, the Odyssey can cruise on just three of its six cylinders.
Hatchback	MINI Cooper (27/36)	A secret weapon in the fight against fuel prices, the extremely fun MINI Cooper delivers highway mileage of up to 36 mpg.
Wagon	Toyota Matrix/ Pontiac Vibe (26/33)	The Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe cousins are small but tall wagons that have been delivering outstanding fuel economy since the 2003 model year

* (Note: All fuel economy figures reflect the new-for-2008 model year guidelines, per fueleconomy.gov).