Green Math

Toyota Camry is 22mpg city / 33mpg highway
Toyota Camry hybrid is 33mpg city / 34mpg highway

Let’s assume best case for the hybrid:

Camry = 22mpg
Camry Hybrid = 34mpg

Gas is around $2.85 for regular in Chicago.  That means the cost per mile for each vehicle is:

Camry = $2.85 / 22mpg = 13 cents per mile
Camry Hybrid = $2.85 / 34mpg = 8 cents per mile

MSRP on the base model Camry = $19,395
MSRP on the base model Camry Hybrid - $26,150

So how many miles would you have to drive in your Camry Hybrid before you simply BROKE EVEN?

It’s $6,755 more expensive for the hybrid BUT the hybrid costs 5 cents less every mile.  So

$6,755 / .05 = 135,100 miles

The hybrid doesn’t cost justify itself on gas until mile 135,101!  And of course this assumes the same maintenance for the two models (probably not an accurate assumption) and best case on gas mileage for the hybrid.

By all means, buy a hybrid if you want.  Just don’t kid yourself – it’s not “saving you money”.