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2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. | June 05, 2013 | Mercedes-Benz View Full Screen 50 Photos Hybrid cars can bring impressive fuel savings. However, the drawback is that many of these cars are costlier than their gasoline-only equivalents. It can sometimes take several years to earn back this price difference in gas savings alone.
With this in mind, it's useful to consider a hybrid's break-even period when comparing choices. The break-even period is the amount of time it takes for the vehicle's fuel savings to offset its price premium.
These 10 hybrids offer the shortest break-even periods relative to their gasoline-only counterparts. Our data assumes a national regular gasoline price of $3.57 per gallon, a national premium gasoline price of $3.88 per gallon and an average of 15,000 miles driven each year. Obviously, fuel prices will vary from week to week, and as they change, so, too, will each vehicle's break-even period. All other things being equal, steeper gas prices will shorten break-even periods, while cheaper gas will lengthen them.
In addition to its break-even period, we've listed the gasoline-only model with which each hybrid was compared. If the hybrid has no direct gasoline-only equivalent, we've compared it to its closest sibling.
Note that in cases in which a hybrid model costs less than its gas-only equivalent, the break-in period is listed as a negative figure.
1. 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class HybridCompared to: 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Break-even period: -2.9 years
2. 2013 Buick LaCrosse HybridCompared to: 2013 Buick LaCrosse
Break-even period: -2.5 years
3. 2013 Lexus CT 200hCompared to: 2013 Lexus IS 250
Break-even period: -0.5 year
4. 2013 Buick Regal HybridCompared to: 2013 Buick Regal
Break-even period: 0 years
5. 2013 Lincoln MKZ HybridCompared to: 2013 Lincoln MKZ
Break-even period: 0.4 year
6. 2013 Honda InsightCompared to: 2013 Honda Civic
Break-even period: 0.6 year
7. 2013 Toyota PriusCompared to: 2013 Toyota Camry
Break-even period: 1.9 years
8. 2013 Lexus ES 300hCompared to: 2013 Lexus ES 350
Break-even period: 2.9 years
9. 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (tie) Compared to: 2013 Hyundai Sonata
Break-even period: 3.6 years
2013 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (tie)Compared to: 2013 Cadillac Escalade
Break-even period: 3.6 years
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