There are a lot of attributes to believe in a new car: the color, the engine, the brake system and something that's topping just about everyone's list--fuel efficiency.

In fact, with gas prices averaging about $3, according to the American Automobile Association (compared to $2.37 a year ago and just a few cents shy of the record high set last fall), you might be tempted to base your search completely on the number listed next to miles per gallon.

Naturally, that will make hybrid vehicles, which rely on electricity stored in a battery for some of their power, a first choice. The Toyota Prius got 44 m.p.g. overall in a Consumer Reports fuel-economy test in June. Within the sedan category, the most excellent non-hybrids offered only 24 m.p.g.