Since I live in Texas, a car is essential, but I rarely drive long distances each day.

My driving is mostly for commuting, and on weekends, I mostly go to the grocery store or pick up the kids.

As a result, people who are interested in hybrid cars often ask me.

"Do hybrids really save a lot on gas?" "Honestly, do you break even?"

The answer is... I don't really know either...

One of the advantages of hybrid cars is that you definitely don't visit gas stations as often.

My 2022 hybrid Camry averages over 50 mpg in city driving.

Since I do a lot of city driving, the electric motor keeps running during stop-and-go traffic, which improves fuel efficiency.

On the other hand, if you drive more than 100 miles a day on the freeway, the story changes a bit. At high speeds, the engine runs more, and fuel efficiency will be in the high 30s mpg.

In other words, if you have a high percentage of highway driving, the fuel savings of a hybrid car decrease, and it takes longer to recoup the initial purchase cost.

However, for someone like me who does a lot of city driving, calculations show that you can recoup your costs at least 80% faster with the same hybrid vehicle.

But hybrids start to lose battery performance after 80,000 miles, and the maintenance schedule for consumables becomes complicated.

Even though engine oil is similar to regular cars, high-voltage batteries, inverters, and cooling systems are parts that regular repair shops can't handle, so you ultimately have to go to a dealer service center.

The problem is the expensive repair costs due to the nature of hybrids. Replacing a battery can easily cost $2,000 to $3,000.

Moreover, if you want to sell it as a used car, the question "When did you replace the battery?" is a must, and if there are issues with the battery or powertrain, it's hard to get a fair price.

There's also the depreciation issue. Nowadays, car prices are high, so regular vehicles sell steadily in the used car market as long as they don't break down.

In contrast, hybrids don't sell well if there are engine or battery issues. It's even more so now that electric cars are becoming popular.

That said, I'm not trying to bash hybrids.

If you have a high percentage of city driving, find going to the gas station annoying, and enjoy a quiet and smooth ride, you can be satisfied.

In fact, many people who get used to filling up gas only once a month, like me, say they can't go back to regular cars.

But if you're buying a hybrid just because you want to save on gas?

If you don't drive more than 20,000 miles a year, I recommend reconsidering that calculation.

Hybrids can be a smart choice, but they are not a magical car that guarantees profit.

Ultimately, the best car is the one that suits me; it's not the best car for everyone.