I don't drive a hybrid, although I would like to! it's just not feasible with the current cost of hybrid vehicles right now. my Corolla probably gets around 30-34 MPG... I think the US market has just fallen victim to laziness. it seems to me that prior to the jump in oil cost over the past couple of years, they had been of the mind that people would just be okay with buying the same old things they've always driven. they probably thought that Americans don't like being told what they should do (and they were right), and will continue to buy larger, less eco-friendly vehicles almost to spite those who suggest that driving more efficient vehicles is a good idea. I think they didn't plan on the aforementioned gas price-spike, and that's what really started getting them into trouble. by the time they realized that people were going to start buying more fuel-efficient cars because gas is just starting to cost too much, it was already too late, and they were already behind. that's just a guess, though! :P

The us market actually had the first all electric car, but they were mareted poorly and eventually they ALL gave in to Gas Lobbyists. there is a documentary called "who killed the electric car" it is very good. at this rate most ALL gas foreign cars get what american hybrids do. there is a reason for this. again GAS LOBBYS. that is why Toyota deserves to be #1.

Good question... i get 48MPG from my Audi A4 TDi (that UK gallons) www.WhatMPG.co.uk says it should be over 50.. its great site for MPG comparison. All laid out on one big screen for each manufacturer.

Im gonna get a hybrid after i get out of basic training. I currently have a 2006 Honda Civic and even though it gets 38 MPG the gas prices are gonna get any better. so hybrid or a motorcycle depending on what my permanent base is.

I don't drive a hybrid but would like to talk about the US vs. Foreign manufactures. I work for GM and have a few things you should think about. The American car companies have been struggling to survive for the last few years. The main problem they have is that they have to pay lots of retirees. The foreign car companies DO NOT have these costs because the workers in other countries do not have the same benefits. The typical American car has $1500 added to its price to cover these “Legacy Costs” This trend is self propagating as American car companies cannot sell cars because everyone wants the cheapest price. People also think American cars don’t have the quality that foreign cars do but this is no longer true. The quality gap is gone. There are American cars that are better than foreign cars. From JD Powers Quality survey “ In the recently released J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study in the automotive industry, the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu was ranked highest in the Midsize Car Segment and was the highest-ranked domestic vehicle, placing fourth overall and outpaced its main competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord by a wide margin. With 80 problems per hundred vehicles (PPH), the Malibu trailed only luxury models from Porsche, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz in the industry rankings. The Fairfax Assembly Center, where the Malibu is built, finished in the top three in assembly plants in North America.” Everybody does have the right to choose the vehicle they buy but I wish everyone would really do the research and really understand what they are doing by buying forign vehicles. Before you get all “All vehicles are made by forign parts” on me. Just think of it this way. If you buy a GM or Chrysler the dollars made are made by a company who has been in America for a long time and who has a vested interest in seeing America do well. Can you say that when you spend your money on “Brand T”?. The Malibu above is available as a Hybrid with a starting price of around $23,000 USD it is just the begining of the hybrids being introduced by GM. It joins the Hybrid Tahoe, the Hybrid Saturn Vue, the Hybrid Saturn Aura and will soon be joined by the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. The Ford Escape Hybrid has been on the market for a couple of years. Generally speeking Hybrids have not sold well in this country. Now with 4 dollar a gallon gas there is an interest again. Just my thoughts, sorry about the rambling, this is a hot button issue with me.