>>There are several gas-fueled vehicles that get better MPG than hybrids. Also, they actually turn out to be better for the environment when you consider disposal of the battery, specialzed manufacturing, etc.
>
>Which?
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>My Prius averages better than 50+MPG year round. My wife's Prius averages 45MPG year round (one year older).
>

BTW the Prius has been getting these MPG figures for years - since before the latest crop of US hybrids were on the drawing boards..

I would have much preferred to buy American, but the American companies are still busily building bigger trucks and other gas hogs rather than building practical vehicles (yes - trucks have a purpose, but the grand majority of new trucks are used for commute rather than tasks requiring trucks).

Before buying my Prius, I looked at the Ford Fusion hybrid. Far less MPG and a stiff price tag (and the entire dealership sales staff lying about its capabilities and the performance of a Prius). I didn't even bother getting in one.

I looked at Honda Insight and Civic. Insight didn't impress at all. Civic was fairly comfortable but no competition on MPG.

I had hopes for the Volt while waiting for a couple of years for it to materialize. Then it turned out to be an overhyped and WAY overpriced hybrid that gets considerably worse milage than my prius unless you can plug it in frequently.

The Leaf is interesting if you can plug in frequently, and it is a lot less than a Volt. At least it it marketed honestly.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid comes out in 2012 - my wife will be trading up to one. I'll probably do the same the following year.


>>
>>>Too bad they can't make a hybrid (or any other high MPG vehicle) that competes with Toyota or Honda.