2007 Toyota Prius
Base Price: $22,795
Tax Credit: $1,575
Adjusted MSRP: $21,220
Premium: $3,860
MPG: 60/51/55 (city/hwy/combined)
Annual Gas Cost: $681.82
Gas Savings: $527.86
Years to Payback: 7.3
EPA Pollution Rating: 9.5

Compared to: 2007 Toyota Matrix XR
Base Price: $17,360
MPG: 30/36/31 (city/hwy/combined)

Our Take: "The less expensive Matrix offers the same hatchback body style, similar power numbers but 24 MPG less than the Prius. The combination of 50 MPG and ultra-clean emissions makes the Prius a hybrid star, no matter what the payback."

Photos by Ron Perry and the automakers