IntelliChoice.com Survey: Hybrids Cost Less Than Peers Over Long Term

Prius Remains Highest Rated Hybrid, but All Models Excel on Total Cost of Ownership

DETROIT, MI (January 8, 2007) –A survey released today by PRIMEDIA's IntelliChoice.com, the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, reveals that the twenty-two hybrid vehicles currently on the market save their owners more money than the other vehicles in their respective classes.

“With the number of hybrids now on the market, the end of 2006 was an opportune time to examine the cost performance of each hybrid model with respect to the rest of the vehicles in their peer group,” said James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com.  “Across the board, we found that all twenty-two hybrid vehicles have a better Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over five years or 70,000 miles than the vehicles they directly compete against.”

Bell said that aside from lower fuel costs, other factors playing a role in hybrids’ cost performance are better-than-expected depreciation and resale value.  Also, contrary to skeptics and critics, repair and maintenance costs have not proven to be higher than those of other vehicles.

“Up to now,” Bell added, “The Prius has been the darling of the hybrid set, and it remains our highest rated value for hybrid vehicles.  But this survey validates the cost performance of the other many hybrid models that are currently on the market.  All of the hybrids in our study have achieved ‘Excellent’ ratings in their respective classes from IntelliChoice.com.”

IntelliChoice.com’s hybrid survey ranks hybrids in order of their performance against their peer group:

* All trim lines 1500 Extended Cab

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