1 Answer

Hybrids will obtain their best mileage in city driving, because they generally operate with only the electric motor at lower speeds.

Having said that,  unless you believe you are going to save the planet,hybrids generally are not a good selection over a conventional powered vehicle.

I. E. the Toyota Prius is the same size vehicle as the Corolla.    The $6,000 premium price one must pay to buy a Prius, over a Corolla with the same equipment, will buy ALL of the gasoline for the Corolla for four to five YEARS before you begin to save a PENNY on the difference in the EPA fuel consumption number BETWEEN the two.

In addition there are several vehicles, from several manufactures domestic and foreign, that will attain fuel economy as good or better than either the Prius or the Corolla.  

To add to the fuel economy confusion, if one lives in the mountainous parts of the county they will actually get better mileage with a LARGER engine with more torque, it is torque that get you moving and keep you moving on grades, since the vehicle will operate in the higher more fuel efficient gears more of the time.