Depending on your goals, a hybrid may not be the answer.
Keeping your current car properly tuned and the tires properly inflated will boost your mpg by 5-10 percent over a poorly kept vehicle.
closing door to rooms that aren't being used will help on heating/cooling bills.
Hybrids cost up to 30% more than gas-only vehicles of the same make and model. Would your cost be recovered over the life of the car?
Could your community support the type of hybrid for which you're searching?
Would a solar panel on your roof produce a greater overall effect?

A solar panel on the roof? Interesting. Never thought about that. There's a lot of sun here - so that is definetely something we need to check out. Much obliged for the info.

For my day job, I'm a fleet manager for my County Government. I buy and sell about 200 cars and trucks each year. I'm currently in the process of "greening" our fleet with a number of hybrid purchases. The benefits are 3-fold. The first benefit is the overall reduction in fuel usage. The second (provided you select wisely) is the lifetime reduction in service costs (less oil usage, longer maintenance intervals), and lastly - if you're feeling all environmental-ly - is the pretty dramatic reduction in Co2 emissions.

With Gas prices under $2, a Prius or Ford Focus Hybrid (both average 40+ miles per gallon) are still cost effective. You will recover the initial acquisition costs by your 4th year of operation...

KM

My problem with hybrids is that there not very attractive cars.

@ KMyles, hadn't thought about the service costs. That's good to know. I'm hoping that more government agencies will go green now than ever. That will certainly help us all out in the long run. Much obliged for the info!

@ Mike, yes, I haven't seen a hybrid yet that takes my breath away. But, maybe the designers will start going after a little more style.