08/08/2008 08:52. The largest mainstream gas-electric hybrid car on the U.S. market isn't a Toyota or a Honda.

It's the new-for-2008, family-size Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, which stretches 16 feet from bumper to bumper, has a roomy, midsize sedan trunk and carries more than 16 gallons of gasoline.

Best of all, the five-passenger Malibu Hybrid offers the top fuel economy of all Malibus – a federal government rating of 24 miles per gallon in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway.

The hybrid car with a larger exterior is the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L, but at more than $104,000, the LS 600h L luxury sedan is hardly "mainstream."

In contrast, Chevrolet's hybrid version of Malibu has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $24,290. Unfortunately, today's MSRP, plus... // Seattle Post Intelligencer