The automotive world may be going electric, but for many people, a hybrid makes a better choice at this moment in time. Unlike electric vehicles (EVs) or even plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), both of which require recharging and may make people uncomfortable trying to manage electric range, traditional hybrids do not require charging. They also offer lower emissions than cars powered purely by gasoline engines do, and they aren't all that much more expensive to buy these days.
Automakers are keen to hop on the hybrid train as well, because it allows them to decrease their average fuel consumption numbers while offering hybrid sedans, minivans, family cars, and even pickup trucks in familiar form factors. Nearly every automaker from Nissan, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, and Volvo to Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi offers a hybrid option in their lineup, even if it's there more to boost performance as much as gas mileage.
We've gathered a list of the ten best hybrid cars of the 2024 model year. You won't see electric cars, such as vehicles from Tesla, here, but these cars are among the cream of the crop for new hybrids. They offer great standard features, safety features, and infotainment systems, and great EPA-estimated fuel economy.
The Best Hybrid Vehicles of 2024
- Ford Escape Hybrid
- Honda Accord Hybrid
- Honda CR-V Hybrid
- Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Lexus ES Hybrid
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- Toyota Sienna
Ford Escape Hybrid
Best for: Connectivity in comfort
The Ford Escape Hybrid features modern style and a load of great tech. It was significantly refreshed just last year, with updated exterior styling and a revised trim lineup, making it one of the newest options on this list.
The base Escape Hybrid features an efficient powertrain that includes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. Combined output lands at 210 horsepower, and reaches either the front or all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Ford offers a plug-in hybrid version (PHEV) of the Escape as well that uses a similar powertrain with a larger battery.
The Escape Hybrid delivers a solid, comfortable driving experience with a smooth ride and an uncanny ability to soak up bumps and bangs on the road. Handling isn't as precise or sharp as it could be, but the Ford holds its own in the corners.
Honda Accord Hybrid
Best for: Those who need lots of space in a sedan package
There's little doubt that the Honda Accord is one of the best new cars on the market today, or that it has been one of the best cars on sale for decades now. There's also little doubt that adding a frugal hybrid powertrain improves the Accord's already-winning formula. And best of all, the Honda Accord and its hybrid variant were fully redesigned for 2023. This latest generation of the iconic sedan is better-looking than ever, and the hybrid is now front and center.
Honda equips the Accord Hybrid with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors that make a combined 204 horsepower, the same powertrain found in the redesigned CR-V Hybrid. A CVT and front-wheel drive (FWD) are standard. With a powertrain designed for efficiency, the Accord Hybrid isn't wowing anyone with its grunt or acceleration. That's ok, though, because once underway, the electrified propulsion system works smoothly and quietly, and there are few of the stumbles that we sometimes see between gas and electric components in a hybrid system.
Honda CR-V Hybrid
Best for: A fun yet practical hybrid ride
The Honda CR-V Hybrid offers an experience that is more engaging and more fun than its gas-powered counterparts, even more so after the full redesign it got in 2023. Part of that is down to the crossover's refined powertrain and reasonably tuned CVT, but the CR-V Hybrid also offers decent handling and a level of practicality that many hybrid vehicles can't manage. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that deliver a combined 204 horsepower. FWD is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.
The Hybrid's ride remains comfortable in most situations, and Honda's regenerative braking system is one of the best.
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Best for: People avoiding EVs due to range anxiety
The hybrid version of the Hyundai Santa Fe is a great transition vehicle for people who worry about driving range and power when buying EVs. It offers solid interior space, a smooth powertrain, standard AWD, and near-luxury-level finishes inside. And, for 2024, it's got bold new looks and more tech, safety, and comfort features than ever before.
The Santa Fe Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor that together make 232 horsepower. AWD is standard, and a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission keeps everything in check.
Hyundai includes several niceties as standard equipment in the Santa Fe Hybrid. Among them are dual-zone automatic climate control, a digital gauge cluster, USB inputs, HD radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Best for: A great combination of sophistication and value
The Hyundai Sonata and Sonata Hybrid boast even more recent refreshes than the other models on this list, as they were redesigned for the 2024 model year. Styling is still striking, but it skews sleeker than the outgoing Sonata did. And the Sonata Hybrid continues to feature impressive cargo capacity and a user-friendly touchscreen, along with a relatively low starting price. This stylish sedan comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that make 192 horsepower combined. FWD and a six-speed automatic transmission are also standard. There's plenty of power for both in-town cruising and highway travels, but the Sonata is far better on fuel economy than it is with power delivery. That said, the ride is comfortable, and the car remains planted when the roads twist up.
Neat tech highlights the Sonata Hybrid's cabin, which features a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A larger 10.25-inch display is available, along with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose stereo, and more.
Lexus ES Hybrid
Best for: A practical approach to a luxury car
The Lexus ES offers decent performance and a comfortable ride that lives up to its luxury car nameplate. It's also got a premium feel inside and out, good tech, and sharp styling, making for a great family sedan. The ES Hybrid comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors that make 215 horsepower combined. FWD and a CVT are also standard. The ES isn't tuned for all-out performance, as the specs show, but there's enough power to get the car moving well from a standstill.
Inside, the ES Hybrid features exceptionally comfortable accommodations for up to five people and front seats that offer a high degree of adjustability for the most comfortable driving experience possible. Synthetic leather upholstery is standard, but Lexus offers rich leathers and upgrades such as heating and ventilation for the front seats. For 2023, Lexus replaces the controversial touchpad controller with a choice of touchscreen displays.
If you need the extra cargo space of a full-size luxury sedan, the Lexus LS is also available as a hybrid. Its base MSRP is more than double the ES Hybrid’s, though.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Best for: Midsize sedan practicality
The Toyota Camry has become surprisingly sporty in recent years, but the hybrid version of the car still offers strong performance and a comfy interior, making it one of the best hybrid cars in its class. The Camry Hybrid gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor with a combined 208 horsepower. FWD and a CVT are also standard. While it's more at home cruising, the Camry Hybrid can deliver the beans when asked.
Though steering feel and handling aren't the Camry Hybrid's strong points, it does a good enough job, and the ride remains comfortable at almost all times. Toyota worked wonders with the brake pedal feel here, as the regenerative braking doesn't grab or feel unstable under heavy pedal.
If a compact car is more your speed, you might also consider the smaller Toyota Corolla Hybrid. It comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver-assistance features, meaning it actually has an enhanced version of the adaptive cruise control found in the Camry, but be aware that its interior is aligned with its position as an affordable compact car.
Toyota Prius
Best for: Young urban dwellers
The Toyota Prius jumpstarted the hybrid car craze two decades ago, and it remains one of the most popular and well-known options in the space today. Like many of the options on this list, the Prius benefits from a full redesign just last year.
Toyota offers the car in a few different configurations today, including a plug-in hybrid model known as the Toyota Prius Prime, but the original is still worth a look. The Prius's powertrain includes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Combined output lands at 194 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. A CVT and FWD are standard, but the Prius is one of few hybrid models available with AWD, which makes it an excellent choice for people who live with legitimate winter weather. AWD models add a second electric motor and increase output to 196 hp.
The Prius's interior features hard plastics and is not the most luxurious place to spend time, but the price is right and there's plenty of space. The front seats are supportive and roomy enough, and the back seat can accommodate real, live adults.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Best for: Cost-effective all-wheel drive (AWD)
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, along with the Honda CR-V Hybrid on this list, is a great example of an automaker making a more fuel-efficient vehicle that is more engaging and better to drive than the traditional model. It's powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors. Combined output lands at 219 horsepower and reaches all four wheels through a CVT.
The RAV4 offers better-than-expected handling and good acceleration off the line, but things calm down at highway speeds, where it takes a little effort to pass. Under heavy throttle, the engine tends to wail and sound unrefined. That said, the estimated 41 mpg highway is a great bonus for an already-great hybrid SUV.
Toyota Sienna
Best for: Three-row space with two-seater fuel economy
We didn't even have to write "Toyota Sienna Hybrid" above, because Toyota's minivan has been exclusively hybrid since 2021-the same time it got its stylish new looks. And Toyota ups the ante by introducing a Woodland Edition to the lineup for 2024, complete with fun new color options, as well as a Premium Package that lets you add cushy features like leather seats and a power-tilt steering wheel to the middle trim.
The Sienna is available with either front- or all-wheel drive, and you won't sacrifice much in the way of gas mileage if you opt for the latter: The EPA estimates 36 mpg combined for FWD and 35 for AWD. All 2024 Siennas get the Toyota Safety System 2.0 suite of advanced driver aids, and if the 2023 model is any indication (as it should be), we expect it to earn top marks for safety from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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