With fuel prices rising again this summer, the hybrid Toyota is getting even more attention. While you know that it gets better gas mileage than a conventional car, just how efficient is a hybrid Toyota, anyhow? Sure, they are environmentally conscious and a great choice for staying green, but how much fuel could you be saving?

On average, a gasoline powered car will achieve 17 miles per gallon. Aggressive driving will decrease this, as well as using the air conditioning or making jackrabbit starts. The miles per gallon can also be increased by following tips like driving moderately and using the highest gear possible. In truth, this number really varies by each individual driver. If you pay attention to the miles you are driving and the gas you are using, you can even calculate the miles per gallon you’re getting today on your own vehicle. All in all, however, 17 miles per gallon is the average for a gasoline powered car.

Now, what about a hybrid Toyota? Well, the EPA estimate for the Prius is 50 miles combined per gallon. 50 miles! Combined refers to city and highway driving together. The more you stop, start and idle, the more gas you use per mile. In the city you’ll have stop lights and crosswalks, not to mention changes in the speed limit or hopping in and out of the car while you run errands in your hybrid Toyota. When you are on the highway, on the other hand, you’re not likely to stop very often. You can use cruise control to maintain a consistent speed, saving you on gas. You have to admit, a hybrid’s fuel efficiency is pretty impressive.

So there you have it–17 miles per gallon compared to 50 miles per gallon with a hybrid Toyota. By only using about one-third of the gas of a gasoline powered vehicle, you can save some cash and help out the environment at the same time. Now who’s up for a test drive?