As to the comment about technique vs technology it is a combination of both.

When I purchased the Saturn Vue Hybrid I did my own cost analysis and I just recently revisited the numbers.

The Hybrid Vue was $2250 more than a similar 4 cylinder Saturn Front Wheel Drive Vue.
Less a $650 tax credit. (Fortunately, the ATM did not knock out my credit.)
That left $1600 difference.
I average about 28,000 per year and I figured I would get about 5 mpg better in the Hybrid. I current get 20% better than the new EPA numbers. (I get 31.3mpg in the Hybrid Vue and I calcuated that I would get 25.4mpg in a standard Vue.) I then calculated that gas savings would be about $625 per year with the current $3.00 average.
In just over 2 1/2 years I would break even.

From a finacial standard point - the choice is easy for me. I planned on keeping the Hybrid for at least 5 years. From an environmental standpoint it was a no brainer. Save gas - save the environment. Each person has to "run the numbers" as I did. In my case the Hybrid was the right choice for me.

The technology along with my driving style yields excellent results.