Securing a place on our “10 most efficient hybrids” list doesn't hold quite as much water as our other “most efficient” lists. Truth is, we'd have a hard time compiling a “top 15” list. Most of the mass-produced hybrid vehicles available in North America are on this list, and not even all the models on this list are easy to find.
Fuel economy estimates are courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA estimates are based on laboratory tests conducted by manufacturers according to federal regulations. EPA re-tests about 10% of vehicle models to confirm manufacturer's results. Your results may vary. Learn more at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/.
10. 2010 Saturn VUE Hybrid
Soon to become a collectors' item with the shuttering of Saturn, the VUE (view photos) was a promising model that had yet to hit its stride. If you're curious or maybe even a little sentimental, the Vue has a unique look and style that's easy to love.
9. 2010 Lexus RX 450h
What do you get when you lay down about $40,000 for this mid-sized luxury hybrid SUV? How about 6 cylinders, 3.5 liters of performance and a combined rating of about 30 miles per gallon? All things considered, it's a pretty amazing value.
8. 2010 Ford Escape / 2010 Mazda Tribute / 2010 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2WD
The 2010 Ford Escape (view photos) and its Mariner (view photos) and Tribute (view photos) siblings are at the head of the pack when it comes to hybrid SUVs. It'll take a while to make up the several thousand dollar premium price paid over the non-hybrid Escape, but the improvement in fuel efficiency over comparable conventional SUVs is nothing short of a revolution. Even the four-wheel-drive Escape gets a solid 30 MPG city, making it ideal for those snowy commuting days for all the Northerners out there.
7. 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
So you'd like the high fuel-efficiency of a Prius, but need to haul around a family or something more than just a few bags of groceries? The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid (view photos) is filling this void for many drivers. Sure, it doesn’t offer 50 miles to the gallon in city driving. But it still brings in a respectable 33 MPG city. And it’s a Camry, after all, full of many reasons that have made this Toyota vehicle once of the most popular cars ever. The 2010 Toyota Camry offers a little more proven reliability than the Altima over time, making this car a great choice for the eco-conscious driver who prefers to stay under the conspicuous green radar. Green credibility doesn't have to be shoved in everyone else's face, after all.
