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GM to sell Saturn Aura hybrid for $22K, lowest-priced hybrid on the market!

jalopnik.com — General Motors just announced pricing on the 28 MPG city, 35 MPG highway hybrid model of their Saturn Aura Green Line hybrid at $22,695 -- the lowest price of any hybrid model currently on the market! The mid-size sedan also won the NorAm Car of the Year award, and looks poised as a serious Camry competitor.

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  • superpatty, on 10/12/2007, -23/+22but.....it's a Saturn.....
    • cm728d, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12it is a saturn yes. I will admit that the late 90s was a horrible time for GM. Luckily things seem to be turning around. The Silverado won truck of the year and the Aura won car of the year. A very good indication of the turn around. It doesn't help matters that the Aura isn't really a part of the saturn family as it's heavily Opel. Regardless, hybrids are good but the number one complaint for all of them has been that the fuel savings don't outweigh the premium price in any reasonable amount of time.
    • iamjames, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7228mpg city and 35mpg highway from a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder, isn't that almost what they get anyway? How much of an improvement is this for a small 4-cylinder engine? 164hp total, compared to non-hybrid cars like the Chevy Cobalt's 148hp sedan that gets 25 city and 34 highway.
      http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2007&make=Chevrolet&model=Cobalt&trimid=-1

      Toyota's 2.4 hybrid gets 40 city 38 highway and has 192hp.
      http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2007&make=Toyota&model=Camry%20Hybrid&trimid=-1

      My question: why buy the hybrid Aura when the non hybrid isn't much different?
    • AmishRefugee, on 10/12/2007, -3/+14really, couldn't they do a lot better than 35 highway with a hybrid? I get 29 with a non-hybrid for the same price.
    • ViperDaimao, on 10/12/2007, -0/+36Are they using the new 2008 MPG Estimates? With those, the prius gets something around 38 mpg I think.
    • bigtomrodney, on 10/12/2007, -19/+15I'm really sick of this Hybrid hype crap. They really aren't more efficient by any measure. Why not instead take a leaf out of European and Japanese manufacturers books, who's cars get better efficiency anyway!

      My SEAT Leon (SEAT are part of Volkswagen, the Leon is based on the Golf/Rabbit) is the 1.9TDI and it gets 63mpg. Eat that Saturn. Even the 1.6 petrol gets 42mpg.

      FFS.

      By the way, the Aura is the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra rebadged. In Europe it starts with a 1.6 engine which is a hell of a lot more efficient than a 2.4 V engine.
    • ipodsweatshop, on 10/12/2007, -11/+20Honda Civic hybrid MSRP $22,600.

      So I could pay more for an American car or I could buy a Honda. It's like deciding to stab myself in the foot or clip my toenails. I'll take toenails, I mean the Honda.
    • Chompy, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9I bought my civic hybrid for $19,500, so I dunno what crazy math this represents.
    • Satanael, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13Hybrid cars ARE more efficient if they allow the car to actually drive on electricity. Some car-makers just have the engine shut off at stop-lights and keep everything else running with electricity; and then they slap the word Hybrid on it and sell it.
      What you want is a Hybrid car that can actually drive on Electricity, then you'll start seeing insane MPG.
    • mywhitenoise, on 10/12/2007, -10/+5"My question: why buy the hybrid Aura when the non hybrid isn't much different?"

      Clean air?
      Why NOT buy a hybrid if it's only a few bucks more? Better mileage is just a nice incentive.

      "Are they using the new 2008 MPG Estimates? With those, the prius gets something around 38 mpg I think."

      Mine gets 50, just learn to coast and forget about racing. It's easy to get 50 MPG.
    • tastypastry, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8For that price your better off getting a VW Jetta TDI (diesel). They average around 40 mpg. Not to mention that they hold there value.
    • saifrc, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4I paid $18,900 for my Civic Hybrid, and get over 40mpg highway and city on a regular basis. Lowest priced hybrid on the market?

      I'll agree with the other commenters who say that price is not the real reason to buy a hybrid -- it's really more about reducing one's fuel consumption and contribution to pollution. But you *don't* have to buy a hybrid to accomplish this -- it's really all about reducing overall fuel consumption. Simply buying a hybrid doesn't make you a conservationist. You have to (a) choose to drive less frequently, (b) carpool, (c) drive smarter (no excessive acceleration, coast more frequently), and (d) choose the right vehicle for your needs (don't buy a pickup truck if you only haul things twice a year).

      You can do most of these things without a hybrid -- a hybrid vehicle is not necessary to reduce your fuel consumption and pollution output. However, it doesn't hurt, if you can justify the premium you pay. At $18,900, I could justify it for myself.
    • cawpin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6@viperdaimao - Yes, the new rating (non-import-cheating method) for the Prius is 41mpg. I drive a Cobalt with the 2.2 Ecotec and I get it is rated at 34mpg on the highway which is exactly what I get at 65-75 mph. If it is a slower speed limit like 55mpg it goes up to almost 40.

      To those saying, "Well, I got my Honda for $19XXX. Big deal." This is MSRP, not actual sale price. Beat that and you get a cookie.
    • chinaman1472, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0There's no point in buying the Saturn. Less than 10 minutes of comparison will show you that.
      And guys, it's 22k brand new, which means less than probably 100 miles on it when you drive off.
    • diulei, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I agree, aren't there plenty of non-hybrid cars that get close to that MPG?
    • scootinger, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Absoluely PATHETIC.

      28/35 mpg? Give me a break...you can get a V6 Honda Accord hybrid with the SAME gas mileage (compared to this Saturn's 4-cylinder.) And anyways other NON-HYBRID midsize cars have similar gas mileage...i.e. non-hybrid Accord gets 26/34.
    • bdxphoenix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I have a 99 Saturn SL2 and over the past week I got about 360 miles (a little more) on a tank of gas (about 10 gallons). If I do my math right thats about 36 mpg. Sure, it was mostly highway driving (probably about 50 miles was city driving) but isn't that what the highway mpg rating is for?

      I think Saturn is a great company, but honestly they've had normal cars able to get those numbers since the early 90s.

      Just for the record, on average (city/highway driving) my car gets between 280 miles and 300 miles to the tank, which is usually filled with 10 gallons of gas.
    • thecatisdead, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7@scootinger

      Yes, but the hybrid Accord starts at ~31K. You'll probably never make up the ~8K difference. GM's dual-mode hybrid system is designed to be cost effective to entice consumers to buy. Not many people have bought the hybrid Accord because it's extra price isn't justifiable.

      Also, please note that import MPG seems to have dropped more significantly (%wise) that domestic MPG in most cases due to the new, more realistic EPA tests.
    • jaydj, on 10/12/2007, -9/+3It seems the "Me" Generation is back from the 80s. "Why buy a hybrid if it doesn't help me?"

      Clean air. Get a partial zero emission vehicle (article does not mention emissions for this car)
      Dollar voting. You are telling these manufacturers that you want investment in alternative fuels.

      My girlfriend gets an average of 50MPG (4.7L/100K) out of her Prius in real world driving. I take the train.
    • skim1420, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3My civic's not even a hybrid and I get comparable mpg. I don't know about specs, but in real life driving, I get about 380 miles to a tank, and when I do refill it stops between 10 and 11 gallons, usually closer to 10. So something like 35mpg. I'd say my city/hwy driving is something like 70/30.

      I bought my civic for $14K (2001 LX sedan).
    • Muyoso, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3The emissions for this vehicle will be no different than any normal car. It has a normal gas engine, just like all other cars, so anything this car can do to reduce emissions, any car can do. My 2003 Jetta 1.8T gets BETTER gas mileage than this POS Saturn, costs NEW 5 thousand less, and is MUCH faster. There are hundreds of cars better than mine that get better gas mileage and go faster. This is a prime example of why American cars suck. They come late to the game with ***** technology.
    • alphaterminus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Regading the "Me" Generation. I'm 35. drive a 99 Toyota Corolla, and get 35 mpg. I would like to buy an electric car, that gets about 250 miles on one charge. But, NO! The car companies insist on that damn stinky heavy combustion engine assisted by electric motors. Why in the hell isn't everyone making electric cars with lithium phosphate technology? (I know about Tesla Motors, but want something around 20k?)
    • dylanrush, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Even though its a saturn, its still probably the most attractive hybrids out there. The Prius is up there with the PT Cruiser as one of the worst looking cars ever.

      @alphaterminus:
      Because lithium phosphate technology doesn't grow on ***** trees.
    • dolemite5005, on 10/12/2007, -8/+2I have a Ferrari... I get laid.
    • mywhitenoise, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2"Even though its a saturn, its still probably the most attractive hybrids out there. The Prius is up there with the PT Cruiser as one of the worst looking cars ever."

      Prius, Camry, Civic, Accord, Explorer, and the Lexus hybrids all look better than that piece of *****.
    • osbjmg, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I have a '94 SL with 160K miles, I don't think they are half bad. I abuse her too - one of the best running domestic cars. The interior is really plain, they are ugly, but I get 36mpg and rock it without hubcaps all day :)

      I am really a fan of Japanese cars (not Japanese companies that have them assembled in Mexico or the US, but with a bug fat 'J' right in the VIN) but it's still fun having a car that's paid for and doesn't need any repairs.

      (subaru FTW still, boxer love baby)
    • drunkenrobot, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0GM=Crap
      Ford=Crap
      Chrysler=Crap
      Mercedes=Crap


      I've had my japanese car for 7 years and it's never been in the shop, I'd like to see one of your Yankee pieces of crap do that.
    • lilrabbit129, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"Regading the "Me" Generation. I'm 35. drive a 99 Toyota Corolla, and get 35 mpg. I would like to buy an electric car, that gets about 250 miles on one charge. But, NO! The car companies insist on that damn stinky heavy combustion engine assisted by electric motors. Why in the hell isn't everyone making electric cars with lithium phosphate technology? (I know about Tesla Motors, but want something around 20k?)"

      Mainly because the infrastructure isn't there. Before you say that for YOU it would be perfect, how many of YOUs are there? A purely electric car is coming, but is a long way off. The technology is just not proven. The EV1 that everyone loves to talk about, had to have its batteries replaced after something like 20k ( correct me if i'm wrong on that number). The batteries cost half the price of the car.

      Plus having an electric car society shifts the pollution to coal powerplants instead of internal combustion engines, so its not an end-all solution.
  • cm728d, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Error updating my comment, meant to say that it helps matters that the Aura isn't a mechanical relative to the rest of the line.
  • cm728d, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5My point is it's a good starting point. The Aura is a good platform to develop from. The original Prius didn't garner all the accolades that the second gen did. Everyone has to start somewhere and a reasonable price for the technology is a good idea to base a hybrid off of (any car really). I am by no way anti--foreign cars. (I drive a Ren....I mean Nissan). For almost a century GM has been the number one car maker. With that came a lot of problems. They can't innovate to any great extend for fear of alienating their market segment.
    Now that Toyota has surpassed them I hope GM takes the time to develop new ideas, like this one. Although the late creator of the Prius did work for GM first and pitched the same idea, the only hurdle was the cost. Toyota didn't solve that problem, they won't see a return on the Prius for years to come, they just needed to sell as many cars as possible to pass GM. I can't fault GM for their hesitation, many American jobs hang in the balance.
    • cawpin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Um, Toyota hasn't surpassed them yet. They're close, but no cigar. They (Toyota) have had the most recalls and most recalled vehicles the last 3 years running so don't think they are some great force.
    • cvrefugee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Meh, my Scion xB gets 28-33mpg AND it makes toast. Beat that, General!
    • andrewbmoore, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@cawpin: Regardless of the recalls, Toyota vehicles are immensely more reliable than GM cars. Many of their recalls are issued without ANYONE having a problem, which shows their commitment to quality (Though I am still a little annoyed with the squeaks in my new Camry Hybrid). I wish I could buy GM again (I like some of their cars), but I have been bitten too much in the past for it...
    • Litzau, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I drive a saturn SC2, i am the only owner, bought it new like 8 or 9 years ago. i have had no problems whatsoever with my car, great mileage, good acceleration and corners very well.... the backseat is purely cosmetic, and im sure as hell not going to win any races in it, but i knew that when i bought it... i dont understand why everyone seems to hate the saturn so much,, mine has been well worth the money i paid for it, hell it could die tomorrow and i would still feel i had gotten enough use out of it to make it worth what i paid.
      it seems so many people are worried about a car being able to do things they will never need... why does your car need to be able to speed to 120mph in less than 15 seconds? when will you need that? we dont have an autobahn.
  • shootdashit, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13i have a 1998 VW Jetta VR6. it gets 32 highway and 28 city. this is a hybrid?? from the same car company that had fully electric cars all over the streets in california only a few years ago.
    • pianomahnn, on 10/12/2007, -6/+11Indeed. I look at those efficiency numbers and keep thinking, "this can't be a hybrid..."

      Poor GM...just can't figure anything out.
    • Urusai, on 10/12/2007, -6/+11I drove a 2001 Hyundai Accent with 28/36 mpg, plus it cost half that. GM is obviously trying to sabotage their hybrids just like they did their electrics.
    • cawpin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5dfick is correct. The new Prius is only rated at 41mpg because they kept them from cheating with the new system.
    • chinaman1472, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1And? 41 > 35
    • cawpin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3And? 35 is most likely a conservative number, just like the rest of their vehicles.
    • blkhwk86, on 10/12/2007, -0/+392 Saturn SL2. If i hold it steady at 60 I can get out about 38-40 mpg. But i really want a VW polo TDI. Too bad i'm in the US. It's just that people see the price of diesel higher than a gallon of gas. But i would rather go for a car that can get 67 mpg and pay higher per gallon. Also, saturn can make way better cars than they have been cranking out. GM got really really lazy over the last few years with the SUV craze, but they are pulling over all the cars from overseas which aren't really the best cars. I would say this: get a diesel, gain trunk space, and learn to drive stick if you dont.

      Oh and I HAVE to put this:
      "Good for you!"
      "Thanks"

      BTW, I am from the bay area and there are WAY too many hybrids.
    • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2"But i really want a VW polo TDI."

      You can't get a Polo in the US, but you will be able to get VW's new TDI engine soon. A Rabbit with that engine should pull close to 50 mpg on the freeway. It also won't feel like a tin death trap.
    • EntangledPhysx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I'm jealous. I also have a VW 98 Jetta VR6. I get at best 20 MPG city, at best 27 MPH highway.
  • tinker123, on 10/12/2007, -5/+18If you haven't watched the documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car", do yourself a favor and do so.

    Back in the 90s GM had an electric car. With contemporary batteries the few EV1s they did not destroy can go 80 plus miles an hour for a range of 300 miles. This technology exists now. Hybrids are a dead end.

    The film showed that hydrogen powered cars, which need "5 technical miracles" to get to market, consume 4 times the electricity that pure electric cars do. That means are pollution producing coal fired electricity plants have to work 4 times harder.

    It takes 50 electric cars to produce the same volume of emissions as one gas powered car and they cost the same amount of money to run as gas cars if gas was 60 cents a gallon.

    If you want clean air, fast cars, cars with cheaper ownership ( no transmissions to fail ), and energy independence with existing technology lobby your state to make its own zero emission laws.

    California doing that in the 90s got the electric cars to exist.

    • br10ta10, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I knew Hydrogen was a scam before I saw that movie, but I was shocked by those 5 technical miracles they talked about in WKtEC. Any time someone mentions fuel cells, I talk about those 5 issues and they are stunned.

      However, California's clean air mandates didn't get the electrical cars to exist. The fact that electrical cars could be produced got California to mandate the zero emission vehicles.
    • JDoggqx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Pardon the ignorance, but what are these 5 technical miracles of which you speak?
    • milhouse007, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8American Hybrids are a joke, if you want a Hybrid go Japanese.. American Hybrids are not getting much better MPG then the non hybrids..

      I agree, "Who Killed The Electric Car" is a great documentary.

      Tesla Motors http://www.teslamotors.com is making 100% electric cars, $.01/mile to operate.. which the electricity converted to the gas prices sets it at around 135mpg.. with 250 miles per charge, but they cost 92k.. ouch
    • karlkrogstad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10I don't remember the exact reasons quoted in the movie, but it boils down to:

      1) How do you generate hydrogen? Cracking water into O and H takes a lot of energy.
      2) How do you transport it? The molecules are so small they tend to escape easily.
      3) How do you convert it to motion? Fuel cells aren't durable enough yet. Not to mention pricey.
      4) How do you store the hydrogen on board? You need high pressure tanks, see number 2.
      5) Since the ultimate result is generating power to drive electrical motors, why not skip the electricity->hydrogen->electricity dance altogether? Every conversion = energy lost.

      Hydrogen is popular with the establishment because that vision of the future has a role for oil companies to generate, transport and store the hydrogen, and complicated finicky fuel cells or hydrogen combustion engines with a lot of complicated non-solid state parts that will need frequent dealer maintenance. Everyone's a winner! (except the consumer)
    • daylightfades, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6There are further problems with electric cars as well. While they do use resources much more effectively than internal combustion engines (efficiency is much higher), these are not flawless...

      - Range is still too short. Yes, there are some batteries out now that can hold a greater charge, but they are extremely expensive, still take several hours to charge (versus 3 minutes putting gasoline in the tank), and oh wait, Big Oil owns the patents to a lot of them and refuses to license them for obvious reasons. This is why Toyota's RAV4 EV project died.

      - The EV1 wasn't a particularly great seller because of its impracticality. The comment at the beginning the movie that suggests it met the needs of 90% of Americans is blatantly false. It's very small, seats only two (yes, this is a problem for even a young single male like myself), doesn't carry much cargo, and oh yeah, costs about as much as a mortgage payment! Great for people like Tom Hanks who can afford to "save the world" when he's not being shuttled around in limos, but not for average folks like me.

      For the electric car to be feasible for mass production and use, the following technical 'miracles' have to be solved.

      1. Must be capable of a range of 300+ miles on one charge.
      2. Must be capable of charging in a reasonable amount of time (i.e., not 8 hours).
      3. Additional infrastructure must be built to allow charging of electric cars away from home.
      4. Must be affordable for the common man.

      I do believe that EVs can be part of the solution to environmentally friendly and sustainable transport, but in their current state, they are no better than hydrogen powered cars.

      In addition, I'd like to point out that the methods which the auto industry uses to assess fuel economy have changed over the past while, and EPA estimates are generally not 100% accurate.
    • cawpin, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4@milhouse007 - Why exactly are American hybrids a joke? Because they rate them accurately instead of pumping up their numbers to look cool? Do some research before jumping on the American-car-bashing bandwagon.
    • milhouse007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@cawpin
      It the Japanese car manufacturers inflate the numbers and American manufacturers don't, I was unaware.. I was just going by the numbers I've seen for MPG and American hybrids didn't look to much of a MPG advantage over their gas counterparts
    • tinker123, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I don't think the line by Ed Begley in "Who Killed The Electric Car" that the EV1 could meet the needs of 90% of the people was a stretch. The range of the EV1 was more than enough for most people's commutes. Contemporary batteries, dropped into one of the few surviving ones, are even better with a range of 300 miles.

      Back in the 40s when the roads sucked, if people had to take a long trip they would take a train. I only take 2-3 road trips a year. I would have no problem owning an electric car that would require me to hop on amtrack, a plane, or even rent a biodiesal vehicale twice a year.

    • tinker123, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Some made a reply to my original comment about knowing that hydrogen fuel cells were a scam.

      It is a fairly old tactic by the government and other big orgs to avoid a difficult issue by appearing to be open minded and then offering to research it. Out of sight, out of mind.

      The movie "Who Killed The Electric Car" made the point that the technology for practical electric car use.....which would solve many problems, exists right now. The problem with "right now" is that a lot of people invested in the old ways of doing things lose money. Studying hydrogen fuels cells puts off that loss of money and having to deal with that issue since it is decades away, if at all.

      The kicker is, even hydrogen fuel cells were practical ........right now.....as are electric cars, they would use 4 times the electricity ( to produce the hydrogen ) that electric cars would need.

    • tinker123, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Another great thing about electric cars:

      No transmission.........just take a whole ***** of moving parts( your mechanics college fund for his kids ) out of your project maintenance costs.

    • tical2756, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Not just "no transmission"-

      Another good point in the movie explaining why GM killed the electric car was billions in revenue they'd lose on maintenance -mufflers, oil changes, fuel filters etc. The EV1 didn't need any of these. The typical maintenance checkup consisted of replenishing the windshield washer fluid and a tire rotation.
  • Freshjive787, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11i get 32 miles per gallon in my honda accord and its not even hybrid.

    this is a marketing gimmick by GM.
    • Buelldozer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Forget your Accord, my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (3.8L SUPERCHARGED V6) manages 32MPG+ on the Interstate at 75-80MPH, and that's in Wyoming with lots of hills! On runs to Nebraska to see family I've managed 40MPG on straight and flat roads! This is with the family and all the luggage in the car for a week of visiting!

      Where I get hosed though is in town, 18MPG if you drive it like a granny and that will quickly drop to 12MPG in stop 'n' go traffic or if you have a heavy right foot.

      Hybrids are great in town, but out on the open road they're not all that and a bag of chips.
    • orbit1979, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"i get 32 miles per gallon in my honda accord and its not even hybrid."

      I get 31 miles per gallon in my 3.4 V6 Chevy Impala, and its not even hybrid.

      No really.
  • bugninja, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3So the people wealthy enough to buy a hybrid can also afford the high price of gas. The people who can't afford the hybrid, can't afford the gas. This is just plain ridiculous. A Hybrid is only any good once it's $10,000 or less to buy.

    I have a 2005 Honda Civic that gets me 31MPG on the highway. It cost under $10,000.
    • mywhitenoise, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3*$10,000 used

      Civics are not cheap new.
    • smartmlp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That is true, in fact imports now a days are not nearly as good a value as they used to be. American cars that are comparable to the imports have lower MSRP, generally have more horsepower, and this is not including the insane rebates you can get with Domestics...
  • inotocracy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Its not fugly, its a start.
  • duke, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Only $22,000**


    **(batteries not included)

    :) (j/k)
  • WickedDrag0oN, on 10/12/2007, -7/+4I can get a 60mpg(st)/55mpg(hw) with my Civic Hybrid

    Civic Hybrid Base Price = 23k

    1k for double the mileage... hmm hard choice...
  • handshakedrugs, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9Isn't $22,175 less than $22,695? Or am I missing something?

    http://www.toyota.com/prius/
    • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3You are missing something - the price of the Prius you quoted doesn't include destination, while the Aura's does. When you factor that in, the Aura undercuts the Prius by a Benjamin (it's $22,795).

      Not saying the Aura is a better or worse car, but they did earn the title of 'least expensive hybrid', at least until the [rumored] Corolla Hybrid shows up next year.
    • orbit1979, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5The Prius is a compact car, the Saturn Aura is a mid-size sedan. That would be the first difference.
    • JasonQG, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2The Prius is classified as a mid-size as well, but only barely. But thanks to its hatchback design, it's probably pretty close to the Aura in internal space.
  • heydigital, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I really enjoy my Saturn, but my Saturn SC2 already gets 25 city, 35 highway. 28/35 is bad gas mileage for a hybrid.
    • sonofagunn, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Your SC2 is also about half the size of this, doesn't meet modern safety standards, isn't as comfortable, has less cargo/seating, etc.

      Heck, I have a bicycle that gets way better gas mileage but it's not really relevant to this topic.
  • Lou3000, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Non-hybrids have better MPG than this car. It isn't worth the eventual battery failures and toxic waste that it will cause.

  • sikulas, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9This is a sedan, not a compact car thus it shouldn't be solely measured against the Civic and Prius. Try getting a car seat in and out of the back of a 2 door Civic, and you'll realize how a good size family car, hybrid like this Aura could be attractive to families.
    • DCUK, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Or you could just get the 4 door model?
    • chinaman1472, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1Camry's been one of the best (if not, the best) selling car in America for the past 10 years. There's a reason why. Is Saturn on that list? There's a reason why.

      Aura's 28/35 vs Camry's 40/38 mpg estimates. (FTA, Toyota website)
      Aura's 164 HP vs Camry's 187 HP. (FTA, Toyota website)
      Aura's 97.7 vs Camry's 101.4 - EPA passenger volume (cu. ft.) (Toyota and Saturn websites)

      The list goes on why you're going to pay an extra $4000 for the Camry. There is almost no reason to buy this car unless you hate Toyota/Japanese cars.
    • retrofitme, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Good point Sikulas.

      The Accord Hybrid has very similar numbers (28/35 according to their site) but the base MSRP is around $9,000 more at $31,090

      http://automobiles.honda.com/images/banners/2007/accord_hybrid/accord_hybrid_factsheet.pdf
      http://automobiles.honda.com/models/model_overview.asp?ModelName=Accord+Hybrid
    • scootinger, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1The Accord Hybrid does have the same gas mileage, but it has a V6 compared to this Saturn's 4-cylinder.
    • smartmlp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4It may have a V6, but it cost substantionally more. 10K is not worth the extra 20HP
  • satanatnmtedu, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5I just bought a 2002 Prius. It was $10,500, and I am getting 47.5 mpg in the city on my second tank of gas (first tank was only 43 mpg).

    And, the Saturn would be cheaper than the Toyota if you take into consideration the tax break. It goes down based on the number of units sold.
    • mywhitenoise, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Out of curiosity, how many miles does it have?
      I just bought a 2005 with 63,000 miles on it for $17,500. Mileage is pretty ***** high, but those cars can potentially last to 200,000 miles.
  • UrbanVoyeur, on 10/12/2007, -8/+428/35? What a pointless hybrid. GM just doesn't get it.
    • duke, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Actually, GM DOES get it. They have said on numeous occasions that hybrid technology cannot be justified. But they also know that there are a bunch of guilt-ridden customers out there who DON'T get it, who will pay for the car, and bring it into the dealer for expensive maintenance, thinking that they are saving the planet somehow. Very few independent mechanics would touch it, and proprietary equipment is probably needed to diagnose and mend it, leaving the service center at the Saturn dealership with the ability to pretty much name their price, once the warranty's up.
    • chinaman1472, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0Because it's better for the environment as well .I'm sure the amount of emissions would be a lot less if you switch the number of non-hybrid and hybrid vehicles on the road.
  • chemman, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4Typical GM product, comes out years after the competition and with no significant improvements. 28 MPG city, 35 MPG highway, are you kidding me? Don't most Saturns get close to this anyway? My Passat TDI gets 41 MPG and it's one of the worst efficient TDI's on the market.
  • DCUK, on 10/12/2007, -7/+428/35 is PATHETIC!
  • myfanwy, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6to be honest, the idea of powered private transport for everyone is ridiculous: this is a government/social issue, not a technology problem. the problem isn't that cars are inefficient - pouring the money into effective public transport systems/cycle networks would give a far better return, not only for pollution, but also congestion, stress from traffic jams, and many others.

    how can it be efficient to haul around 700+kg (more for all you dodge ram drivers in US) of steel to get one 90kg person to work/shopping? but of course, the car companies have too much power so that will never happen. and people are lazy and selfish

    i'm sure i'll get dugg down, but really, what problem are we trying to solve? randomly picking a solution and forcing it to "work" is the wrong appproach
    • DCUK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4But public transport isn't good enough yet for people to really dump the car.

      Personally I use my bike more than a car, but I understand why people use their cars all the time. Cities might be set up for public transport (could be better though) but the suburbs have made it more or less impossible to have great public transport by their very nature (UK and US)
    • WickedDrag0oN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Id rather have my personal space rather than sitting next to some mental case whos gonna jizz on my head if I look at him wrong. I carpool with people I trust, and because I drive a civic hybrid and I split the weeks gas cost with my co-workers we end up spending 5 bucks a week on work travel.
    • DCUK, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3But that's what myfan (and others) are saying.

      You perfere you "personal space" but that' can't go on, it's just simple maths. There are already traffic jams all over, it's only going to get worse. . . . public transport needs more investment.

      People need to get over what they want. Start doing what is right. Although hats off for car pooling etc, much better than what most people do
    • myfanwy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2the equation is this:
      which do you prefer
      personal space (do you sit on your own in the pub? at work? at the baseball/rugby/football? - most people are nice!) + ultimate go-anywhere ability (how many people do this - i reckon 90% of most people's journeys are the same, day after day, week after week? and there's no reason you can't hire a car for yearly holiday with all the money you save)

      -or-

      reduced pollution (air/noise/dead cars) + reduced stress + money saved + less road deaths + time saved + increased public spending on important things (schools/hospital/employment generation) rather than ER for road crash victims/road maintenance

      don't just say public transport isn't good enough - make it better; pressure your government to do something. thumbs up for car-pooling though - 4 people per car is probably as good as a bus's efficiency
    • chalkboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There are a lot of places that do not have public transportation at all. Where I used to live it was an hour drive to go to the grocery store. You must realize that not every one lives in a city or would choose to if they had a choice. Farms will always exist. With out farms where would you get your organic granola? Not having a car is not an option.
    • myfanwy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@chalkboy
      totally, i completely understand that - i've spent 18 years of my life living in towns < 6000 people and i live in a country that gets a large chunk of it's income from farming (NZ)

      the people/governments i'm aiming at are those that live in the city, and drive 10km to work (one person per car) along a bus route, in a V8 5.7 litre Holden (GM to you tanks)
  • ASSASSYN, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Do you get a tax break for purchasing a hybrid if not you should.
    • endlessrayne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3FTA: On top of the steal-of-a-price, the IRS has just certified the Aura Green Line, with its 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway fuel economy rating, for the $1,300 hybrid tax credit.
  • iomegaboy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I get 55MPG from my $300 Geo Metro. Go ahead and spend $22k, because we know you're not doing it to save gas.
    • myfanwy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5"and the layer of smog over the city was replaced with a layer of smug"

      sorry, can't remember the exact quote
    • carpespasm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4getting any sort of motorcycle gets you over 40mpg. Usually much more (50-80 depending on engine class). New bikes sell for 1500 (small engine, single cylinder)-10,000 (hyabusa that'll do faster than most sport cars). once you learn to ride it, the only reason to not use a bike is bad weather and storage needs, but you can still ride a bike most days of the week.
    • nbcivic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2geo metro? you kidding? That car's like 1/4th this saturn, i'd be worried if it DIDN'T get 55mpg.
    • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Is that "$300" Metro worth risking your life over? Because anything on the road larger than a Corolla will kill you in a collision.
  • retrofitme, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5The Aura is a great car - good handling, good looks and given a car of its size, very efficient. I owned an XR for a week (rental) and put over 900 miles on it. I averaged about 27mpg in mixed driving. That's only 5mpg worse than my 89 civic wagon.
  • howismydriving, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3The new Nissan Altima Hybrid is actually 21,600 dollars base price. GM forgot to survey that model when they stated this. It also has more HP and gets better mileage. The Saturn Aura is a nice car, but then again the tech that they are using is that out of the Saturn VUE Green Line that is about 5 years old. They should release a full hybrid based on some of the European drive trains they have or a diesel model that gets 40 MPG. This would interest me much more and be as cheap or cheaper in the case of a diesel model.
    • smartmlp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Im sorry, but any company that spends millions on a marketing campaign centered around the feature of a "push button start" in their cars has real problems. Nissan and Infinity are also the least American supporting, far beyond toyota and honda. If you HAVE to buy an import, please atleast buy one that has a 4 or 1 as the first character in the Vin. that means it was built here in the USA.
    • sonofagunn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4There is a lot of misinformation going around, so I'd like to clear some things up.

      Here are all the starting MSRPs of econo hybrid sedans (Lexus not included) from Edmunds:

      Accord hybrid - $31,090 (28/35mpg)
      Camry hybrid - $26,200 (40/38)
      Altima hybrid - $24,400 (42/36)
      Civic hybrid - $22,600 (49/51)
      Prius hybrid - $22,175 (60/51)
      Aura hybrid - $22,045 (28/35)

      The Prius and Civic are classified as "compact" and the others are "midsize" sedans. The Accord and Aura only use the electrical motor as a "boost" and it's not as big as the electrical motors in the other cars. All of the other cars can run on electricity only at low speeds (I think). The Aura cannot do this, I don't think the Accord can either. This is why their city mileage doesn't exceed their highway mileage.

      The Aura is just one of GM's 3 hybrid drivetrains. The first one was the "mild" hybrid trucks, which weren't really hybrids at all, in my opinion. Then there is this drivetrain which just uses electricity as a power boost, and shuts off the engine when stopped. It has regenerative braking and early fuel-shut off while coasting.

      GM's 3rd hybrid drivetrain will be a "dual mode" hybrid and it will debut in 2008 in the Tahoe I believe, and will also show up in the Vue, Impala, and other larger vehicles. The VUE will supposedly be the first "plug-in" hybrid on the market.

      A 4th future hybrid drivetrain was displayed in the Chevy Volt concept, although it really is not a hybrid at all, but an electric car with an onboard gas generator.
  • walkable, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Someone must have gamed Digg to get this on the front page. Let me know when the 83 MPG hybrid version of the Honda Fit comes out, then I'll be interested.

    Besides, how could I buy something from a company that was partially responsible for killing the streetcar systems in America?
  • akilarules, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2this is what ive been waiting for from american auto makers. its about time GM gots its hands into the hybrid industry. time for american cars to make a come back.
    • chinaman1472, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Too bad they're years behind. The technology is new, and they got a late start. Japanese automakers will harness the technology a lot better, which is apparent from the MPG estimates.
  • meace1234, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Only 35 highway? Something is non sequiter with the story...Get the details right and try again
  • Razster, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1My 1994 Geo Prizm can get 28 city and 32 highway and sells for $1,200 in good condition...
    Why can't they sell them for under 12k?
    • chinaman1472, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2New technology. It costs money to make and money to repair.
    • Razster, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2I spent $1,200 for them to rebuild the motor, it should last me another 300k, which has 300k on it now.

      I find GM's new car a joke.
    • scootinger, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2That Geo Prizm was actually made by Toyota. And of course the vehicle that gets the highest gas mileage of any GM vehicle (Pontiac Vibe) is made by Toyota too. GM really should have taken Priuses (or some other Toyota hybrid vehicle) and simply slapped the GM names on them, like they did with the Prizm and Vibe.
  • lemz, on 10/12/2007, -5/+335 mpg? What a ***** joke... the best thing old tards at GM can do is restart the EV1 assembly line.
    • carpespasm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1hell, if they put out an EV-2 (better styling, better batteries than old lead acid) and put it out there at any reasonable price, they'd sell like nothing before. What industry hasn't seen huge turnovers whenever a stagnant tech has one company break step with the status quo? the RIAA is slowly dying off because apple took the product they normally sell and put it out there in a better way. If GM or whoever were to put out a full electric with an optional charging engine, they'd sell more of them than they'd be able to keep up with.

      but then again, they wouldn't have to sell new cars as often since the tranny, engine services, and all other maintainance would become so few and far between, i guess it's better for them to do it that way...
  • uidzero, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1But that gas mileage is worse or comparable to most non-hybrids. So 22k sounds high to me.
  • AZTriGuy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Maybe they meant it's the lowest priced domestic hybrid on the market? I think Ford is the only other domestic manufacturer with a hybrid (Escape), and Saturn also has the Vue Hybrid, so maybe that's what they meant. Because, as others have posted, the base price on this model is actually more expensive than the base price of both the Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid.

    $1,300 for the tax credit isn't going to amount to much either. The way the IRS calculates how much of that credit you actually get to see isn't explained very well and can be a surprise come tax time. I bought a Prius last year during the time that it would be eligible for the full $3,150 tax credit that it was tagged for (the highest credit out of all of the hybrids). Turns out, the worksheet that you use to determine how much of the credit you can take uses the Tentative Minimum Tax to compare against. First, I thought it was going to use the AMT, which didn't affect me. The TMT is basically what your AMT would be if you had to use it. Confusing, and I still don't quite get it, but out of that $3,150 that I was eligible to get I only saw $1,600 of it. There are some on the Prius forums who had it worse than me, getting less than $1k or even $0 in some extreme cases. My point being that supposed tax credit of $1,300 will most likely amount to less than half that amount come tax time.
    • racerfan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1AZtriguy, you have the tax credit wrong.

      The Prius tax credit STARTED at $3,150, but it went down as more of the cars were sold.

      The government basically sets a quota of cars that get the tax credit, as an incentive for folks to buy the cars. The hybrid Aura tax credit is good for the first 60,000 sold.

      In your particular case, you may have also had other financial circumstances that mitigated getting the entire tax credit - don't use your situation to assume folks won't get the full $1,300 when buying one of these Auras.
  • codyfrisch, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3Heh, my 04 civic with 67,000 miles on it that i picked up for $8,000 used... real world gets 31-33 driving around Denver, and 36-38 driving on the highway.

    So I'm gonna trade that for a car that costs how much more (than my civic did new even!) and doesn't even get as good of mileage? No thank you.
    • dmclone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I hear you but you would be getting a new and better car.
    • nbcivic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2i bet that with proper maintanence, that civic would outlast the saturn.
    • codyfrisch, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2How would a saturn be a "better" car? And as far as "new", I've always driven used cars, and let someone else take the hit on the depreciation. But if you want to buy new cars be my guest.

      Mind you, I picked my civic up for about $3,000 less than what I could take it to a dealer today and get for it from them. Maybe a bit less than that, but its close.

      As far as proper maintenance, oil changes by the book, etc. always used synthetics (previous owner did as well). Its just a matter of doing the job. And yes it will still be running when the NEW saturn dies.
  • mweels, on 10/12/2007, -4/+328 / 32 MPG.

    In further news : GM now makes gas / electric guzzling vehicles.


  • raytibbitts, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I also am running 32 mpg with a VR6 Golf (imagine a SEAT Leon, but better looking) It gets a total 32 mpg, on 98 octane, which costs nearly $6.00 US a gallon. I have to assume that the advertised mpg numbers for this GM hybrid just have to be inaccurate (maybe on purpose) or based on much lower octane fuel, or the new rules in the U.S. are really too strict.
    • raytibbitts, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I forgot to mention that I drive in Spain (thus the high fuel prices) and I'm sure SEAT is a great company, and they use the best technology they can get from the VW group (all their cars have been based, quite obviously, on VW's for years) I just don't happen to like their body-styling (the sheet-metal on the outside), it's just a question my personal approach to aesthetics. I also have a personal preference for gasoline over diesel fuel. If I could get the same car, with similar power/torque, and similar mpg, I would always choose the gas engine, I just don't like the black 'smoke-signals' diesels send up every time they shift gears... but, since I can't afford to buy a new car every year, let alone every decade, I'll be stuck with my VR6 for at least a few more years, even if I wanted a hybrid and/or a diesel.
  • dmclone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I get 26 mpg in my VW GTI but it also requires premium fuel.
  • randyzaia, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Hybrids = gay.
    • myfanwy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2ah, so big V8 = red-blooded male hetrosexual?

      are we compensating for something? or just very confused?

      go join the NRA, they'll appreciate you there
  • bloodguard, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4No thanks. I get ~50MPG real world highway miles with my 2003 VW Turbo Diesel and I paid 21K new with a bunch of extras.

    I'll wait until '08 when the new Bluetec diesels that are supposed to get ~70MPG hit the dealers.

    Too little, way too late GM.
  • M0b1u5, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Or, you could stop being stupid, and buy a Golf Diesel which gets 44+ mpg on a fuel which is a lot cheaper. Better for the environment too. You've got to be an idiot to buy a hybrid!
  • Wolfie351, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Unless I know the person, I do not believe anyone who claims a high mpg. I have no idea why people feel the need to lie about that kind of stuff. I have found that especially true among hybrid owners.
    • smartmlp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2People need to realize that MPG is a relative term. On paper it may say 30MPG, but you could get much less or much more depending on where you drive, how long you drive, and your styling of driving.
    • Buelldozer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6A comment about your post that is not completely directed at you.

      I do not own a hybrid, see my above post, and people are generally quite surprised by the high MPG numbers I 'get' in my car. However I don't 'get' them I WORK for them!

      While other drives are on the throttle until they're into the brakes for a stopsign/light I'm coasting in, having come off the throttle long ago. While other drivers are weaving through traffic jamming their car into any spot big enough to fit and then tearing off to do again I'm patiently waiting. While other drivers are tailgating the car in front and constantly having to speed up and slow down I'm riding 4-6 car lengths back allowing my buffer zone to let me keep a constant speed. When I get going from a stoplight I don't ram the accelerator down to see how fast I can get moving, I ease into the gas and attempt to keep the tachometer below 2k.

      In other words I drive like someone who is concerned about MPG. Guess what? It SHOWS in the higher MPG that I 'get' (worked for) out of my car!

      Want better MPG? Stop driving like a damned smacktard.

      Don't like my comment? You probably drive like an idiot and are feeling guilty.

      That's why the parent poster doesn't trust anyone elses MPG ratings. Too many people lie to cover up the fact that they drive like crack raged monkeys, burning through gasoline like it's free.
    • sonofagunn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I like everything you said Buelldozer except I have an issue with large "buffer zones" in heavy traffic. If you have room for 4-5 cars in front of you, and you're going through a red light in heavy traffic situation, you just screwed 4-5 cars from making the red light. Those 4-5 cars are going to burn more gas during idle and acceleration than you'll save from POSSIBLY not having to hit the brakes and reaccelerate.

      I don't advocate tailgating, but if there are people behind you who are going to get caught by the light when it changes, you're helping the environment, other people's time, and other people's sanity by just getting through as close as reasonable so that more people can get through.

      Now, if no one's behind you, or just a few people are and they'll all make the light regardless, then this doesn't apply.
    • Nerys, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Its situation dependant. 4-6 car buffer in a 25mph residential street is crazy and will probably get you shot.

      4-6 car buffer zone on I95 at 70mph is in my opinion NOT NEARLY enough. One day take yoiur car out to a deserted road set up a marker or pick a sign on the road. get you car up to 70mph when you get to that marker slam on your brakes. when you stop get out and measure how many feet between YOU and that marker where you hit the brakes. it this space is LARGER than your BUFFER at 70mph your biding your time to a very rude awakening (or lack of awakening when you get creamed) Figure a car at 15feet a 6 car buffer is only 90ft. on residential streets I like 3-4 car buffer but will take 2-3 at under 35mph

      35-50 I want 4-6 on the highway I want 100+ feet if I can manager it if not I slow down.

      No one gets annoyed at me I stay to the right and out of everyone's way. if I see someone coming up on me in the right even if i am at or above the speed limit if I am below the "flow of traffic" I will move into the middle lane so he does not have to move to pass me. I am defensively aggressive.

      When someone tail gates me I very gently ease off till I am 10-15 below flow of traffic. they usually get the hint and back off a ways or pass - if passing is legal I will even wave them past. Better safe than dead.

      By simply driving careful I was able to get 24mpg highway in my 88 Cherokee with the I6 and 31" tires upgraded suspension 4" lift and skid plates all around. On one trip to huntsville alabama I was just touching 25-26mpg

      22 was my normal. Now in the mountains the larger tires killed me and I would get 10-13mpg at its worst :-)

      With my 300D I get 26-27 (sometimes 28) mpg but I am working on that. I am confident with some maintenance and tuning I can get 30mpg out of it. its already paid for itself in gas savings over driving my van with its 12-13 mpg (USED to be 14-15mpg before they starting pitting that ***** sucking ethanol in the mix Grrrrr 10% ethanol equals MORE than 10% loss in economy results in MORE dependency on foreign oil !!! what the hell is that all about)
  • astrosmash, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3My 1988 Pontiac Sunbird got 28 MPG.
    • racerfan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Does it get 28 MPG in the city?

      Hybrids, if driven a lot in the city, do well, because they make more use of the batteries at the lower speeds found in city driving.

      28 mpg for city driving, from a mid-size car, is awesome mileage.
  • HairyPoter, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3an hybrid does just 35 mpg? this is crap!
    My Daewoo Matiz, with air conditioning or heating on got 48 mpg!!!!
    and costs half the price.
  • djSyndrome, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2All of this talk of mpg and hybrids cracks me up. In college I had a Honda Civic VX hatchback, which regularly returned about 50mpg in mixed driving - without any hybrid technology. It cost me $11,000 brand new in 1995 and in the 50,000 miles I put on it, never gave me an ounce of trouble. The 30 mpg I get now out of my Matrix seems wasteful in comparison.

    In this era of three-dollar-a-gallon gas, I do wish that little car still graced my driveway :|
  • Barleyman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2my 1989 ford thunderbird got 18mpg.

    ...just thought everyone would like to know.
  • daryllafferty, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0What we really need is a combination of hybrid (gas/electric), plug-in recharge, and solar recharge. You can get a Prius converted to any or all of these technologies now, though doing it as a conversion is too expensive to make any economical sense.

    With more battery capacity, you can plug it in over night and do most or all of your around-town driving without ever starting the gas engine. With solar cells on the roof, you can recharge the batteries while the car sits in the parking lot at work (at least partially recharge). And with the gas engine you are not limited in range -- if you have to drive to another city 500 miles away, no problem -- just go. The gas engine will kick in when the batteries get too low.

    Toyota is rumored to be working on all of these technologies for future versions of the Prius. They are also rumored to be improving the current technology with Li Ion batteries and other improvements that might push the mileage up towards 100 mpg. Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prius
  • memoBug, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2"$22,695 -- the lowest price of any hybrid model currently on the market!"

    MSRP on the 2007 Honda Civic hybrid is $22,600. That leaves $95 for a tank of gas.

    Buried as inaccurate.
  • smoothhabitat, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Prius msrp is $22,175 (check out http://www.toyota.com/prius/) and the mileage is much better. Marked as inaccurate.
  • eleqtriq, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Pshh. 40mpg please. My wife's Ninja 250 cost us $3000 and gets 80mpg.

    It also does 0-60 in 5.5.
  • rabidmonkey1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My 96 SL2 gets better mileage than that!
  • MegaBabu, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1too bad 28/35mpg is horrible for any economy car, let alone a hybrid. a standard civic, accord, corolla, camry, etc will get better mileage
  • gene0915, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Let's do some math.... (math values figure you'll keep the car for at least 5 years)

    22K hybrid car and spend $500/year in gas = $24,500

    14K Ford Focus or Toyota Yaris or some cheap Hyundai or Kia + 1200/year in gas = $20,000

    Car companies need to LOWER THE PRICE OF HYBRIDS!!! Folks, pay attention to the stickets on cars when it talks about yearly gas consumption. When gas gets to the $5/gallon mark, THEN it will be time to pay the higher price for hybrids, until then save your money!
    • Nerys, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Except I spend around $1500-$1700 a year in gas but either way your right hybrids are a crock as they are designed today. They are a total waste till they are both UNDER 20k AND getting consistently over 100mph
  • smoothhabitat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's more than just about mileage kids. The Prius makes about 90% less CO2 emissions and is a super ultra low emission vehicle. I'm not sure how much the GM one pollutes in comparison.

    And those mpg numbers are 2007 not 2008 according to this article: http://www.hybridcars.com/news2/low-price-for-low-tech-aura-hybrid.html
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