You decided to purchase a hybrid car. Most of us only knows that hybrid vehicles are excellent for our wallet and have beneficial effects on the climate. But do you really know what car to get? There are five questions you need to answer before buying a hybrid vehicle.

1. Do you want a sedan or an SUV?

Are you a fan of large SUV’s? If yes, your choice is limited, and you will have to wait until 2009, when the first full-sized pick-up trucks, the Chevy Silverado Hybrid and the GM Sierra Hybrid will be introduced. Not a SUV’s freak? Good, there are a few sedans that might fulfill your expectations. The Toyota Prius Hybrid or the Honda Civic Hybrid is a great choice, no question about it.

2. How much money do you want to save?

When you are shopping for hybrid cars, you need to decide how much gas and money you want to save. For instance, the estimated annual fuel cost for the Prius Hybrid is $1,289, while the yearly fuel costs for the Ford Escape Hybrid are around $1,900. If you want to save plenty of gas, and money of course, go for a smaller vehicle, such as the Civic Hybrid or the Prius Hybrid.

3. Are you a city driver or a highway driver?

This is really important. There are hybrid cars that perform better on the highway than on city streets and reversed. For example, the Ford Escape Hybrid features an approximated EPA combined rating of about 34 mpg in city and 30 mpg on the highway. While the Honda Accord Hybrid gives you 28 miles per gallon in the city and 35 on the highway. Ultimately, if you are a city driver, you should go for the Escape Hybrid . If you drive most of the time on the highway, the Accord Hybrid is a better solution.

4. Are you ready to give more money for a hybrid car?

Hybrid cars cost approximately $3,000 and $4,000 more than the gasoline powered versions of the car. You won’t save money right away when purchasing a hybrid vehicle. For instance, the Honda Civic Hybrid costs almost $3,000 more than the regular version. Even with these high gas prices, it could take four years to repay the hybrid cost.

5. Are you interested in hybrid car tax incentives?

If you are purchasing a hybrid car and you are interested in the $3,400 tax break, you should buy a vehicle that is not sold more than 60,000 units. If a model is sold more than this amount, the government reduces the tax break. For instance, the Prius Hybrid is so popular, that the vehicle is no longer eligible for tax breaks.

After you answer all these questions, purchasing a hybrid vehicle will be a lot easier. You might also check out these pages and articles: Hybrid Car Reviews and Hybrid Car Tax Incentives to assist you in choosing the best hybrid car that suits you!