Is it time to buy a hybrid?

For many years, nickel-metal hydride was the traditional hybrid battery chemistry, but now lighter, less expensive and smaller lithium-ion cells are doing the work. Conceptually the same as the battery in your cellphone, lithium-ion batteries reduce a hybrid's inherent weight penalty and take up less space in the car.

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Batteries require careful monitoring to avoid under- and overcharging; that's the job of a computerized control circuit. The smarter third-generation control circuits and improved logic associated with lithium-ion batteries help prolong battery life to equal the lifespan of traditional engines and transmissions. Toshiba is a big player; its controller is able to control 16 cells at once, reducing cost while providing excellent cycle life.

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Definitely cresting in 2013 is a wave of plug-in hybrids. These are traditional gasoline-electric hybrids with the ability to plug into a wall socket for an overnight boost. Mechanically, they differ mainly in their control circuit and added plug-in port. How they aid gasoline mileage is a big variable that depends on how they are driven and recharged, but the equivalent of 100 mpg is a typical goal. Of course, your electric bill will go up some — but your gas bill will go down a lot.

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Hybrids have long been able to shut off their gasoline engine at traffic lights and automatically restart the instant the brake pedal is released, but now that technology is coming to otherwise standard cars. Ford is one of the first automakers to offer it as a standalone option at $295. It can increase fuel efficiency up to 10 percent — 3 mpg — in heavy stop-and-go use, and obviously quickly pays for itself.

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With the greater electrical storage capacity of lithium-ion batteries, automakers are learning how to use more powerful electric motors in their hybrids. The new-breed hybrids can quickly exceed 60 mph under ideal conditions or, more typically, hold 30 to 50 mph for meaningful distances in stop-and-go traffic — which saves gas.

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There's nothing technologically new about high gas prices, but with fuel more expensive, hybrids can more quickly pay off their typical $5,000 price premium. Add in the extra mileage of third-generation hybrids, and a hybrid might make sense for a driver with a heavy mix of urban stop-and-go driving. As always, it's stop and go where hybrids shine; long interstate cruises are still diesel and high-tech gasoline territory.

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It's difficult to judge where BMW is aiming with its new 3-Series hybrid. With a 29-mpg combined mileage rating and a 300-horsepower gas engine, this is the muscle car of hybrids — you don't stand a chance of saving money with it compared to its gas counterpart. But you do get to tool around with a shiny "HYBRID" emblem that shows the world you are saving a few hydrocarbons while scooting to 60 mph in about five seconds.

2013 BMW 3-Series

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The once-controversial Volt has proven to be a great real-world car with a near-phobia for gasoline. General Motors prefers that you call it an extended-range electric, and with owners reporting 35-plus miles of pure electric driving with a full charge (the Volt is a plug-in hybrid) and a small gas motor for go-anywhere range, it is perfect for anyone with a short commute and long-range weekends. And it's a nice car, too.

2013 Chevrolet Volt

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The poster child of the newest hybrids is Ford's midsize Fusion Hybrid. Scoring an impressive 47 mpg in city, highway and combined ratings, the Fusion can hit 62 mph on electric power alone. Even better, the Fusion is a fine sedan with a taut chassis, sharp handling, a quiet cabin and good interior room. An innovative, configurable instrument cluster is another highlight.

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

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If the midsize Fusion Hybrid isn't the best fit, the smaller, taller C-MAX version of the more compact Focus platform packs the same hybrid powertrain. It's rated at the same 47 mpg in all driving, and differs mainly in its more compact form and cargo-friendly hatchback body style. C-MAX's pricing of about $25,000 also starts nearly $3,000 lower than the larger Fusion.

2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid

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Here's a lithium-ion hybrid that relies more on the parent car's light weight than crafty hybrid technology to achieve 44 mpg in both city and highway ratings. With a relatively weak 23-horsepower electric motor, the Civic Hybrid never motors on electricity alone; the 1.5-liter 90-horse gasoline engine is always on the job and gets an electric assist instead of a true parallel powertrain. It's a car for fans of light and nimble.

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

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Here's another hybrid not solely dedicated to fuel economy. What's attractive about the ES 300h is its combination of huge size and luxe appointments delivered with 40 mpg city and highway ratings. The price paid is lackluster driving from just 200 total horsepower in this large sedan, which is based on the Toyota Avalon. Expect about 25 mph on electric power for momentary bursts and a relatively small $2,750 premium over the regular car.

2013 Lexus ES 300h

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The 2013 MKZ Hybrid has a base price of $35,925. It is Lincoln's take on the Ford Fusion Hybrid, so it has the same state-of-the-art hybrid powertrain, but is rated at 45 mpg city, highway and combined. Clearly luxury is the main selling point, but a new twist is that the MKZ Hybrid will cost no more than the standard MKZ, according to Lincoln. That gives it a unique position in the premium midsize hybrid market.

2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

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Priced notably higher than its Prius siblings at $32,000, the plug-in Prius joins Chevy's Volt in the ability to gain range at either a gas pump or a wall socket. Electric-only range is just 11 miles, but it completely charges in three hours on 110 volts. Limited sales in 15 states took place in 2012, but 2013 sees nationwide availability. Like any plug-in hybrid, mileage depends on many variables, but the Environmental Protection Agency rates the newest Prius at 95 mpg-e.

2013 Toyota Prius

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Volkswagen's new Jetta hybrid option joins its celebrated diesel and gas offerings with a 150-horsepower gas and 27-horsepower electric motivation. Mileage is a combined 45 mpg and pricing is realistically in the $28,000 range. That also delivers the Jetta's respected handling and fun-to-drive characteristics. The combination of Jetta refinement and mid-40s-mpg burning premium gasoline is a novel twist for the previously diesel-centric VW line.

2013 Volkswagen Jetta

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For more information on the vehicles in this slideshow, click the links below:

-BMW 3-Series
-Chevrolet Volt
-Ford Fusion Hybrid
-Ford C-MAX Hybrid
-Honda Civic Hybrid
-Lexus ES 300h
-Lincoln MKZ Hybrid
-Toyota Prius
-Volkswagen Jetta

Compare: All vehicles

Longtime Road & Track contributor Tom Wilson's credits include local racing championships, three technical engine books and hundreds of freelance articles.