Which hybrid would you reccomend? For running errands around town, picking up children, etc. And how about for driving to and from work, less than 15 minutes each way?

I guess it depends on what your purpose is for getting a hybrid.

There have been several studies showing that many hybrids are actually less fuel efficient and sometimes even less "green" than their gas-only counterparts.

Simple question with a simple answer for me.  I have worked at home for last 10 years but recently took a job where I work about 15 miles from home (so about 30 miles round trip a day).  Other than that drive I am mostly doing the typcial parent stuff - picking up/dropping off kids at school, after school events (play practice/soccer etc). I wanted something more fuel effecient than our former SUV.  We were looking at the Ford Fusion and at the last minute after some research, decided on the Ford Fusion Energi.  At the time, there were some really good deals on them (which I understand don't exist at the moment).  I will tell you up front, I am not a 'car guy', they just aren't my thing - BUT, I love this car!  We are currently getting 119.5 eMPG.  The Fusion Energi is a plug-in hybrid and isn't necessarily the cheapest on the market.  But it also looks like a nice vechile unlike some of the others on the market that, in my opinion, look very generic and dull.  It feels more powerful than our former SUV (don't know if it is, but it apears to be and sometimes that is the same thing).  I have been driving about 1500 miles in 10 weeks, have yet to buy gas, and our power bill has only increased about 16-18 per month.  Only two drawbacks I have come across so far - 1) trunk is tiny.  If you need to haul lots of stuff, probably won't work; and 2) my wife can't blow dry her hair while the car is plugged in or we blow a breaker! (I know, I know, I just need to add a dedicated line!  But for the moment it makes a fun story.)

I know this really isn't feasible- but I dream of one day getting a tesla. After moving to the DC area and sitting in traffic for over an hour (should only take 15 minutes without traffic), I can't wait to get ride of my SUV. I used to live in an area that received over 3' of snow, so my Highlander was great. Now, all I can think about is reducing my footprint. My area isn't very metro/bus friendly, otherwise I would definitely consider public transportation. 

I've seen more and more teslas, and after doing some research, I'd love to one day trade in my gas guzzling SUV for one so I can feel less guilty about basically idling in traffic for hours per day.