5 hybrids with the best MPG in 2013

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I read an article online about gas prices, and in the comments section, a lady was reminiscing about when it only cost $1.50 a gallon. Could you imagine filling your tank up for less than twenty bucks? It almost seems like ancient history (and in fact, 2003 was the last time gas was round $1.59/gallon).

With prices dancing near the four dollar mark, now is certainly not the best time to own a gas guzzler, especially if the car you're driving is your daily vehicle that has to travel 40 or more miles round trip in a day. So what do you do if you want to get the absolute best efficiency possible out of your car? Consider switching to a hybrid.

The technology for all electric (also called "Plug-in") vehicles is still quite a ways off when it comes to achieving good mileage on a single battery charge, leaving hybrid vehicles as the most accessible choice. Whether you need something compact, or prefer a roomy and spacious ride, there's a hybrid for your needs!

Here are the five most efficient hybrids currently available, with most priced under $30K:

1. 2013 Toyota Prius C - 50 combined mpg (53 city/46 hwy)

This is Toyota's most efficient Prius on the market. It's smaller and lighter than the original Prius, with a body style similar to that of a Toyota Yaris. The base model of the Prius C is priced just over $19,000, making it the most affordable hybrid on the market.

2. 2013 Toyota Prius - 50 combined mpg (51 city/48 hwy)

Toyota's flagship hybrid, the original model Prius continues to remain on top, only beaten out slightly by its smaller cousin. The Prius is known for it's unique look and incredibly quiet driving experience. Compared to the C, it's slightly better for long trips on the highway, but not as efficient in traffic. The 2013 "Two" model is available for around $25,289.

3. 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - 45 mpg (45 city, 45 hwy)

Who would have ever guessed a luxury brand like Lincoln would have one of the more efficient cars on the market? The MKZ is priced around $36,800 and has a stylish exterior.

4. 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid - 45 mpg (42 city, 48 hwy)

The Jetta Hybrid is Volkswagen's second hybrid sold in the U.S., and the German automaker is trying hard to move away from being only known for selling efficient diesel vehicles. The Jetta Hybrid features a turbocharged engine and outputs 170 HP with a price tag of around $24,995.

5. 2013 Honda Insight - 42 mpg (41 city, 44 hwy)

The Insight gets praise for being one of the cheapest hybrids available, with a starting cost of around $18,600 for the most basic model. While the MPG numbers aren't as high as the Prius or Prius C in terms of  it's still a practical choice.

Do you drive any of these vehicles? What are your impressions of them? 

How Our Waists Are Wasting Gas

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Weight loss is a complicated system. Many believe that at its core, the science of gaining or shedding pounds boils down to calories in versus calories out. But when you start adding in other factors, such as the amount of exercise a person gets, the amount of carbs they're eating, or if they have a thyroid problem, things can get complicated.

Now, as far as cars are concerned, gaining weight is a different (and much simpler) matter entirely. The heavier the car, the more energy it takes to use. This is true for both the weight of the car and the driver inside!  And we're apparently burning more gas than ever. Engineer Sheldon Jacobson of the University of Illinois claims that "Growing obesity rates increase fuel consumption."

It isn't terribly difficult to see why Americans are burning an extra billion gallons of gas each year, compared to twenty or thirty years ago. The added stress of additional weight requires more fuel to be burned. Take the price of gas ($3-4) and you can quickly multiply the cost we incur annually. To make matters even more complicated, many drivers are still on the road with large gas guzzling vehicles, which become even less fuel efficient as passengers become larger.

On the bright side, Toyota has been leading the pack as far as car makers go, introducing new vehicles that have the best mileage on the market, with the intent of getting other automakers to focus more on efficiency than size or power. While that won't do anything to enforce healthier eating, perhaps we simply need to take a page from their home country. The Japanese government is involved in enforcing a weight loss program for citizens that requires men and women to not let their waistlines grow larger than 34 inches. If they don't maintain their health, their employers can be fined, which probably doesn't bode too well for the future career of that particular employee.

When you think of it that way, Japanese citizens in Toyota cars get to enjoy the full listed MPG of a car. Back in America, we have to ask ourselves- what can we do to combat obesity so that we don't succumb to this massive waste of gasoline? I've read stories on how car seats and other public transportation seats are being outfitted with slightly larger seats as newer models have come out over the years, in order to adjust to the growing size of the overall American population. You need not look further than the infographic above for proof! In my eye, that's taking a step backward by accepting our rising obesity, rather than trying to prevent it.

How do you feel about this issue? As we focus on making cars more efficient, should we also be concerned on keeping ourselves healthy? Or should automakers and companies continue to cater to growing waistlines by widening seats and employing other tactics?