Hybrid's Not the Gas Misers Everyone Believes

What good is buying a hybrid if it doesn't get any better mileage than a less expensive standard gasoline engine vehicle? (from Special Report):

Consumer demand for hybrid vehicles is down because shoppers are becoming aware that many models actually are no more efficient than those relying solely on gasoline-powered engines. ABC's Web site reports the average mileage of hybrid vehicles available in the U.S. is 33 miles-per-gallon, but much of that comes from very small cars.

Chevrolet's new Silverado hybrid truck gets only 16 miles-per-gallon and the new Lexis hybrid sedan gets twenty-one. As a result, a new survey by J.D. Power finds only 50 percent of new vehicle shoppers are considering a hybrid, down from 57 percent a year ago.

Unless you want a tiny hybrid that will make you very vulnerable in a crash, don't look for much gas savings.