Want a Hybrid? Best Not Dawdle

Have you been thinkin' about a hybrid? If so, you're certainly not alone--but ya might want to put the wheels in motion soon. Looks like every jump in fuel prices sparks more interest in fuel efficient cars in the eyes of the car-buying public--and especially so with hybrids. Seems there's even waiting lists at dealerships--sometimes up to 60 long--for Toyota's fuel-sipping Prius.

Apparently hybrids are selling the same day they arrive at dealerships, many of which are even tacking a premium on the sticker price, according to an article in today's Los Angeles Times Business section. And it's not just new hybrids: Used Priuses and Civic hybrids (especially those with carpool lane stickers) are commanding several thousand dollar higher price tags--like the 2005 Prius at Manhattan Beach Toyota that's almost $33,000 with 41,000 miles on the odometer. While hybrid cars have accounted for only 3 percent of America's car sales, that's changing--and quickly. From January through April of 2008, hybrid car sales jumped 25 percent over the same period last year--and just last month, they sky-rocketed to 58 percent. And it's not too hard to figure out why with the price of gasoline topping out at $4 as Memorial Day hits.

According to the article, the top 5 fuel-economy leaders are as follows:

1. Toyota Prius
2. Honda Civic Hybrid (stay tuned for our '08 test drive in a few days)
3. Nissan Altima Hybrid
4. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD - Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD - Mazda Tribute Hybrid FWD (available only in CA)
5. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Go ahead check out the 2008 hybrids available--along with our hybrid test drives and reviews to help ya kick a few digital tires before you decide if a hybrid is right for you.

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid badge - photo © Adrian Gable