Cars.com: Toyota Prius c Is the Best Hybrid for the Money

Saratoga Springs, USA, 04/12/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

Although hybrid vehicles cost drivers less at the pump, some have a high initial price tag that prolongs the time it takes for buyers to get a return on their investment. To help consumers figure out which vehicles make the switch to a hybrid worthwhile, Cars.com recently released its Top Hybrids for the Money, 2012. The 2012 Toyota Prius c, which went on sale at Toyota dealerships in March, topped the list as the most affordable hybrid after both sticker price and mileage were considered.

To determine a vehicle’s efficiency-cost rating, Cars.com divided each hybrid’s EPA-estimated combined city/highway miles per gallon by their base MSRP and multiplied that number by 1,000. Aesthetic judgments, equipment levels and ownership costs were not factored into the equation, so vehicles with high fuel economy and low sticker prices rate highest regardless of features. The 2012 Toyota Prius c earned an efficiency-cost rating of 2.64, the highest score Cars.com has ever seen in its five years of rankings.

“The original Toyota Prius has made hybrids available to a large portion of American buyers, but the Prius c extends that opportunity to those that couldn’t quite afford one or wanted a smaller vehicle,” said Bob McKenna, general manager of Upstate New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs. “The Prius c eliminates one of the final reservations that reluctant buyers have about hybrids: that they cost too much upfront.”

The newest member of the Prius family, the Prius c is also the smallest, the most affordable and the most fuel-efficient sibling. The subcompact hybrid returns up to 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 50 mpg. Although Cars.com only ranked base models, the website noted that even the pricier Prius c Two has an efficiency-cost rating of 2.51, which is still high enough to top the list.

For those interested in a larger Toyota hybrid, the automaker offers three other models that also took victories in their respective classes on the Cars.com list. The 2012 third-generation Prius was crowned king of the Midsize Cars segment with an efficiency-cost rating of 2.08, while the 2012 Camry Hybrid topped the Family Sedan segment with a score of 1.58. In the Midsize SUV/Crossover category, the 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid led with score of 0.73, making it a viable option for Toyota hybrid fans needing more space for family or cargo.

Sales of Toyota hybrids soared in March, as the automaker reported a 60.7-percent increase in deliveries compared to the same month last year, moving 34,722 units in the United States. The Prius family proved it is more popular than ever, with a 48.8-percent jump in sales compared to March 2011, while the Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid saw their best-ever March combined sales, increasing 30.5 percent year-over-year.

“It’s no surprise that hybrid sales are on the rise considering how expensive gas is, but Toyota is seeing record numbers that show they are well ahead of any other hybrid manufacturers,” added McKenna. “The days of the one-size-fits-all hybrid are gone. Today, Toyota has a fuel-efficient car out there for anyone, regardless of budget or family size.”

About New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs:
Upstate New York Toyota owners can rely on New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs to provide an outstanding level of customer service. Their Toyota service department is second to none, and their dedicated service technicians are committed to keeping their customers’ Toyotas in great shape for many years to come. Part of the New Country Motor Car Group, New Country Toyota of Saratoga Springs is located at 3002 Route 50 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Customers can browse their wide selection online at www.toyotaofsaratogasprings.com, call them at 866-979-0592, or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewCountryToyotaSaratoga.