Top 10 Hybrid Cars With the Shortest Break-Even Periods for 2013

Hybrid cars can bring impressive fuel savings. However, the drawback is that many of these cars are costlier than their gasoline-only equivalents. It can sometimes take several years to earn back this price difference in gas savings alone.

With this in mind, it's useful to consider a hybrid's break-even period when comparing choices. The break-even period is the amount of time it takes for the vehicle's fuel savings to offset its price premium.

These 10 hybrids offer the shortest break-even periods relative to their gasoline-only counterparts. Our data assumes a national regular gasoline price of $3.57 per gallon, a national premium gasoline price of $3.88 per gallon and an average of 15,000 miles driven each year. Obviously, fuel prices will vary from week to week, and as they change, so, too, will each vehicle's break-even period. All other things being equal, steeper gas prices will shorten break-even periods, while cheaper gas will lengthen them.

In addition to its break-even period, we've listed the gasoline-only model with which each hybrid was compared. If the hybrid has no direct gasoline-only equivalent, we've compared it to its closest sibling.

Note that in cases in which a hybrid model costs less than its gas-only equivalent, the break-in period is listed as a negative figure.

1. 

   1. 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Hybrid

Compared to: 2013 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Break-even period: -2.9 years

Compared to: 2013 Buick LaCrosse

Break-even period: -2.5 years

Compared to: 2013 Lexus IS 250

Break-even period: -0.5 year

Compared to: 2013 Buick Regal

Break-even period: 0 years

Compared to: 2013 Lincoln MKZ

Break-even period: 0.4 year

Compared to: 2013 Honda Civic

Break-even period: 0.6 year

Compared to: 2013 Toyota Camry

Break-even period: 1.9 years

Compared to: 2013 Lexus ES 350

Break-even period: 2.9 years

Compared to: 2013 Hyundai Sonata

Break-even period: 3.6 years

Compared to: 2013 Cadillac Escalade

Break-even period: 3.6 years