There are only a few new minivans available to buyers these days and even fewer of them offer a hybrid powertrain. While minivans can often be a more fuel-efficient option than most SUVs, a hybrid is even more so, adding to their value. And of course, minivans often offer more versatility than a sedan or SUV, as well as lots of cargo space and features that help to make family life easier. Power sliding doors, anyone?
We think the three best new hybrid minivans are the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, the Toyota Sienna, and the Kia Carnival Hybrid. Each one has a fuel-efficient hybrid system, a spacious interior, and is available with a rear-seat entertainment system that can keep those in the back entertained on long journeys.
The Best Hybrid Minivans
- Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid
- Kia Carnival Hybrid
- Toyota Sienna
- Is there a Tax Credit for Hybrid Minivans?
- Which Hybrid Minivan has the Best MPG?
- What is the Most Reliable Hybrid Minivan?
- Non-Minivan Hybrids Worth Considering
Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid
The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid is the only available plug-in hybrid minivan. It has front-wheel drive (FWD) and standard seating for seven people, though the hybrid-powered Pacifica does not offer its famed Stow ‘N Go second-row seats.
Fuel economy is a strength, with an estimated 82 MPGe, and this is the only minivan that qualifies for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit when purchased. The Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid is available in three trim levels, with the base Select trim level starting at $51,055 MSRP.
Kia Carnival Hybrid
The Kia Carnival Hybrid is new for the 2025 model year. It’s the first time Kia has offered its minivan with hybrid power, as part of a major refresh that has given the car a sharp new look inspired by the brand's latest models. While most body parts are carried over, re-styled front and rear ends give the Carnival a more modern, SUV-like appearance (even if all versions have front-wheel drive).
The interior is updated and has an upscale ambiance; the Carnival offers seating for eight people standard, seven people optional on highest SX Prestige trim. For a base price of $40,800 MSRP you can get into the Carnival Hybrid’s LXS trim.
Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna is offered only as a hybrid, combining a 2.5-liter gas engine with two electric motors (three for all-wheel-drive models) for a total of 245 horsepower. The interior feels built to withstand family use and although we’re not talking Lexus vibes, it has a high-quality look.
As a new car it comes in six trim levels. All-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard with Woodland Edition trim but all other trims have FWD as standard, with AWD as an option. Standard specs are good—the base model is the LE, which comes standard with power-sliding side doors, LED headlights and three-zone climate control. It has a starting price of just over $39,000 MSRP, while top-spec Platinum trim loads on the luxuries and has an MSRP of just over $56,000.
Is There a Tax Credit for Hybrid Minivans?
The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV is the only minivan that qualifies for the full federal tax credit of up to $7,500 when purchased. To qualify for the federal tax credit, an EV must be made in the United States of America, and the batteries must come from specific sources. The Pacifica meets those requirements.
If you're leasing a hybrid minivan the rules are different, because a leased vehicle is considered a commercial vehicle. Namely, it doesn’t matter where the vehicle is built or where the batteries come from. So when you lease the minivan, the tax credit technically goes to the dealership, but they pass those savings on to the lessee. Manufacturers sometimes advertise these benefits on their websites, as do local dealerships.
It’s important to make sure you’re getting any local credits as well. Multiple states offer these tax credits, so don’t hesitate to look up your state’s tax policies before shopping and confirm with the dealership that any local tax credits are applied to your lease or purchase.
That said, the tax credit is only for plug-in electric vehicles, so the Carnival and the Sienna still do not qualify.
Which Hybrid Minivan Has the Best MPG?
If you're looking for a hybrid minivan, fuel economy is likely to be a very important factor for you. The good news is that you should get much better mpg than you would with a gas-only model.
The Pacifica gets the best mileage on paper, with an estimated 82 MPGe. The electric motor provides an estimated 32 miles of electric-only range, and the gas-powered engine gets a combined estimate of 30 mpg. So the total number of gas miles plus electric range equals about 82 MPGe. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can operate solely on electric power until the charge runs too low, and then the gas-powered engine kicks in. So if you drive only small distances each day, it’s possible that your trips to the gas station are very few and far between.
The Toyota Sienna gets an estimated 36 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway in its FWD iteration. AWD models get 35/36 mpg city/highway. The Sienna is a traditional hybrid, which means it’s got a gas-powered engine, an electric motor, and a regenerative braking system. Any time the car is coasting or the brakes are applied, the system stores the energy created from those endeavors and stores it in a battery pack. That battery pack then powers the electric motor at slower speeds like when driving in traffic. That’s why traditional hybrids tend to get really good gas mileage in the city.
The Kia Carnival Hybrid is the least fuel-efficient hybrid minivan here. It has a traditional hybrid setup and gets an estimated 34/31 mpg city/highway—well down on the other two but ahead of gas-powered MPVs such as the Honda Odyssey, which returns just 22 mpg.
What Is the Most Reliable Hybrid Minivan?
In our latest guide to the most reliable car brands, Toyota came second while Kia was third. Only Lexus finished above them, while Chrysler didn't feature in the top 10.
Each of these hybrid minivans has a regenerative braking system that can put less strain their mechanical braking system and all three have a specific hybrid battery warranty. The Chrysler is covered for either 10 years/150,000 miles or 8 years/100,000 mile, depending on where it was bought, while the Kia's has a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty and the Toyota has a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.
Non-Minivan Hybrids Worth Considering
There are several good alternatives to hybrid minivans, and most buyers will look at SUVs as a solid option. One choice is the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, which starts at $45,660 and seats up to eight people. Importantly for hybrid shoppers, the Grand Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 37 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway, with the AWD option coming in at 36 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. There is a turbocharged version of the Grand Highlander Hybrid that gets an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 27 on the highway.
Another good hybrid SUV choice is the Mazda CX-90 PHEV. It’s got an upscale interior, seats seven to eight passengers, and has a base price of $49,945.
