40 MPG Club

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

Comparison Road Test: 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid vs. 2013 Jetta TDI

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Diesel and hybrid owners have very different reasons for owning each vehicle. After my back-to-back drives, I will suggest that anyone considering a Jetta hybrid for its environmental statement also add the diesel to your shopping list.

The hybrid gets better fuel economy, rides smoother, is quieter and fun to drive, especially when the Boost mode kicks-in. But the diesel engines of 2013 burn clean, are smoke-free, get very good fuel economy and offer a torque/acceleration experience found on more expensive cars.

So which to buy? You will have to run the numbers of an approximate $2,000 base price premium for the hybrid against the number of miles you drive and of course, your personal needs. If you drive mostly in the city or with significant freeway stop-and-go traffic, then making the hybrid investment may well be worth your while. If you do mostly open freeway driving, then the diesel will deliver mpg in the high 40 range, which is oh so great.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI

The new Volkswagen Beetle – 40 mpg blast from the past

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The 2013 VW Beetle TDI is no longer that bare-bones icon of the Sixties nor the note-perfect cute revival New Beetle of the past decade. With the 2.0-liter turbo-diesel engine, the Beetle will regularly turn in 40+ mpg on the highway. The EPA numbers are 28 city/ 41 highway with the manual and 29/39 with the automatic. As is the case with most diesels, and in contrast to most gasoline-fueled vehicles, beating EPA fuel economy numbers are not hard.

2012 Toyota Prius

Toyota Plans 21 New Hybrids and New Electric Cars

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By 2015, Toyota will be selling 21 hybrids globally. The Prius family will expand beyond the current four models: Liftback, Compact C, Crossover V, and Plugin. I was once asked, “Why would anyone buy a hybrid when you can’t cost-justify the premium?” I paid about a $4,000 premium to buy my 2002 Prius, and then sold it seven years later for a $3,000 premium. The Prius had saved me over $5,000 in gasoline when gas was cheaper than today.

Ford Fusion Energi

2013 Ford Fusion Family – Customer Choice from Good MPG to Electric Car

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This city traffic is heavy and the parking space is tight. Like Luke Skywalker, I listen to “The Force” and I let go of the steering wheel. This 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid then parks itself. The Fusion Hybrid starts at $27,200 delivering 47 MPG, a $6,000 premium over the least expensive Fusion that delivers 26 MPG.

Toyota Prius c hybrid

10 Hybrid Cars with Best Miles per Gallon

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New hybrid cars can save you thousands of dollars in gasoline over the years that you drive. The Toyota Prius Liftback and new Prius c continue to top the list at 50 mpg. There is now a Prius Family (Prii) including the new Prius V SUV. Lexus and Lincoln battle for luxury hybrid leadership. Hybrid buyers have growing choices in sedans, hatchbacks, sports cars, and new crossovers with the room of small SUVs. This year’s top 10 all deliver 40 mpg or better in combined highway and street driving.

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