The 5 most fuel efficient cars

Today's dream car, the Prius - daddy rabbit of hybrids - was first produced in Japan in 1997 and offered to the world in 2001. The demand for Toyota's uber-economical, gas-electric, 5-door, 5-passenger family sedan has new car waiting lists clogged and resale prices spiraling.

The greens dug the Prius from the gitgo and for all the green reasons. Now average Joe motorist is digging it for other green reasons - the green that's flowing from his wallet to his friendly neighborhood oil company.

An industry first, the AC is no longer driven by the 1.5-liter 4-cylinder DOHC gasoline engine. That tweak combined with a slippery new shell, 10lb lighter battery pack and evolving Hybrid Synergy Drive system has produced the EPA's highest rated automobile for fuel efficiency - 48mpg (city) / 45mpg (hwy).