TrueCar.com Sizes Up Efficiency of 2011 Hybrids & Non-Hybrid Models

TrueCar.com decided to revisit its analysis of fuel-efficient vehicles Monday, compiling separate lists of just hybrids as well as non-hybrid models.

Of the Top 10 hybrids, analysts indicated four have a combined 40 mpg or better while every vehicle in the Top 10 non-hybrids offers a combined 30 mpg or better. TrueCar.com’s lists only looked at 2011 model vehicles and did not include pure electric vehicles because there is no cost associated with filling up a tank.

Leading the way on the hybrid list was the Toyota Prius, followed right behind by its luxury-model cousin, the Lexus CT 200h. A pair of Hondas came next, the Insight and the Civic Hybrid.

Honda also had another unit among TrueCar.com’s top hybrids, the CR-Z.

The remainder of the site’s hybrid highlights included two more foreign offerings, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid. The other units were from domestic OEMs — the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the Chevrolet Volt.

As far as fuel-efficient non-hybrid models, topping TrueCar.com list was the Hyundai Elantra, followed by the Chevrolet Cruze Eco and the Toyota Yaris.

Ranking next were the Ford Fiesta and Mazda’s MAZDA2. TrueCar.com included a pair of units from Volkswagen, the Jetta Sedan TDI and Golf TDI.

Rounding out the non-hybrid models were the Audi A3 TDI, Toyota Corolla and Mini Cooper Hardtop.

TrueCar.com arrived at its list by comparing the current models being sold and looked at the costs based on fuel economy and the expenses for gas per 15,000 miles driven annually. 

“Hybrids offer great fuel economy but most don’t provide the value consumers are seeking,” insisted Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends and insights at TrueCar.com.

“If you’re looking to save the most amounts of money, look at the overall picture from the cost of the vehicle and how much you would spend on fuel to see what vehicle offers the best overall value,” Toprak added.

Earlier, TrueCar.com reviewed fuel efficiency of all new vehicles, both hybrids and tradition. That story from Auto Remarketing is available here.