Faced with the shock of $4-plus gas prices and uncertainty about the future, drivers are getting serious about finding vehicles that actually get good gas mileage.

The best-known fuel-stingy vehicle, of course, is the Toyota Prius gasoline/electric hybrid four-passenger sedan.

Its arrival as the first hybrid sedan in 2001 was preceded only by that of the tiny, discontinued Honda Insight two-seater.

But a Prius isn't for everyone.

And that's a good thing because it will take at least six months these days to get one, says Chris Callada, finance manager at Continental Toyota in Countryside.

But Callada's dealership says it has a decent supply of fuel-stingy conventional Toyota Corolla and Yaris models, which also are on the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Top Ten list for best fuel economy.

"There's a certain wait-and-see attitude not only about fuel costs, but also about the general economy," says Jerry Cizek III, president of the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, a trade group representing new-car dealers. "People are starting to wise up and not necessarily go after a Prius. They're not only doing the math" -- a hybrid, after all, is costlier -- "but also are asking themselves if a conventional economy car will make sense in the long run if they need a larger, roomier car."

Hybrid fans who don't want to wait for a Prius need not be out in the cold too long because Honda's Civic Hybrid sedan -- No. 2 on the fuel-economy list -- should be available "by September or October," says Eric Koeneman, new car manager at Continental Honda in Countryside.

Meanwhile, Honda offers the fuel-stingy Fit, which is No. 10 on the list.

Nissan has its gas/electric hybrid Altima. But it's not on sale in Illinois yet, says Bill Milinis of Continental Nissan in Countryside, which does have plenty of the gas-miserly Versa.

The Smart car by Mercedes Benz is a new option for fuel-conscious buyers. The Smart ForTwo two-seater arrived too late for the EPA's most-recent survey. With an estimated 33 miles per gallon in the city, 41 highway, it would have been No. 4 on the list.

To compare, check out the EPA's list of the most and least fuel-efficient 2008 vehicles.

And, if the best mileage seems low, note that the EPA began using more realistic test procedures beginning with 2008 models.