Setting aside their environmental cred, are hybrids, diesels and electric vehicles actually wallet-friendly? Prices on hybrids run about $3,300 higher on average than stickers on their gas-engine siblings.
The diesel difference is about $2,800 more. And the two electric vehicles on the market -- the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf -- are each more than $18,000 pricier than their closest gas-engine match.
But the long-term ownership costs are the real measure of whether buying green is worth it.
Using five-year ownership costs from Vincentric, an automotive data firm, we compared 2011 hybrid, diesel and electric vehicles with their closest gasoline-engine counterparts. When a hybrid (like the Prius) had no counterpart, we chose the closest match from the carmaker's lineup.
Pump prices have a lot to do with making green cars a good value. Two years ago, when gas prices were hovering close to $2 a gallon, few hybrids and diesels earned back their premium price with savings at the pump. But with gas prices now closer to $4, more buyers will save green by buying green.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that although the Volt and Leaf have stratospheric sticker prices -- nearly double those of the gas-engine Chevrolet Cruze LTZ and Nissan Versa S hatchback -- both have super-low five-year ownership costs. The Volt's costs come within $500 of the Cruze's and the Leaf is only $800 more than the Versa over five years.
Diesels are likely to recoup their extra cost and save owners money over the long haul. Of the 12 diesel models available this year, nine have long-term costs below those of their gas-engine brethren. But note that these tend to be the pricier vehicles -- including all the Mercedes-Benz and BMW models. Audi's A3 2.0 TDI scores high, too, as does the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI.
Hybrids are a mixed bag. The Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid saves you $7,000 over five years. Other values: the Mercedes ML450H (a $2,900 saving), Lincoln MKZ hybrid ($4,600), Honda Insight ($3,000), and Lexus CT 200h ($5,500) and HS 250h ($1,200). The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid costs nearly $800 less than the gas Cayenne over five years, and Hyundai's Sonata hybrid saves about $400.
Which green cars don't come out ahead? The diesel models of the Jetta sedan and Golf hatchback are projected to cost more than their counterparts. Likewise with the Audi Q7 TDI, Lexus RX 450h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
The poster child for green, the Toyota Prius, costs $1,500 more than the Corolla over five years but beats the Camry LE by $3,200.
