Multiple news agencies have reported that consumers have been more concerned with purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles than ever.

Some experts believe that in some cases, certain fuel-efficient vehicles are also costly to purchase, which could offset the advantages of owning a car that has been fitted with an economic engine. Picking a vehicle with the highest mpg rating may be what many consumers do but not the most practical approach, experts say.

A recent article mentioned just how important it is do your research extensively before settling on the right option for you and your family.

Experts say that, many hybrids can sound great in theory and even less costly than standard engine vehicles, however, drivers may find themselves paying much more up front while hoping to pay less in the long run while the vehicle loses its value as you attempt to recuperate the investment down the road.

A great example of that is the new Ford F-150. According to experts, this model could be fitted with the Ecoboost V-6 or the 5.0-liter V-8, which could help the motorist to save up to $550 a year. However, the cost for the ecoboost option can end up being $1,000 more, which adds a lot to the consumer’s up front payment. Since the price of gas and ethanol is constantly changing, it’s hard for you to calculate exactly how much money you will be saving by choosing to purchase the vehicle with the ecoboost option.

When it comes to subcompacts, purchasing a Prius C with a combined mpg of 50 can be a great choice if you have the money to spare. The EPA combined mpg estimate shows that this model can help the car owner to save up to $200 in gas. Experts say that when you compare the savings of owning a Kia Rio vehicle instead, you realize that you could get a combined 34 mpg, which is still a good deal when it comes to fuel efficiency while saving in the investment up front. If performance is not the most important factor but economy is, consumers should consider the consequences of paying more upfront to save down the road.

Experts say that some of the most fuel efficient and inexpensive options include the Chevy Cruze Eco, which costs $19,325 and gets a combined 33 mpg. The Ford Focus Hatchback may also surprise some with its combined EPA mpg of 30 and upfront price of $18,300.

Other fuel efficient and inexpensive vehicles include the VW Jetta Diesel Sportswagen, Lexus ES 300h and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

For more models and more details on these vehicles and how to purchase a fuel-efficient and reliable vehicle, click here for the full article.