Best Cars Over 40 MPG for 2024 & 2025

The 2025 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid provides an estimated 31 miles of electric range, enough to cover part or all of a typical commute. That’s also plenty for local errand-running and kid-schlepping. Then, when you need to travel longer distances, a gas engine keeps the party going. And this year, Kia’s midsize three-row PHEV gets a refresh with revised styling, new technology, and more. So, we put it to the test in the Los Angeles suburbs and on a family road trip.

Verdict: Except for its lofty price and lousy value equation, the 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid has few faults. Some of the technology causes aggravation, and we discovered the driver’s seat isn’t comfortable after hours on the road. Otherwise, this PHEV is stylish, practical, and easy to live with.

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is a stylish outlier among fuel-efficient sedans. It also holds an advantage with its accessible pricing and generous warranty, but unfortunately, it's not very appealing to drive. Power and acceleration are on the weak side—even among other hybrids—while inconsistent power surges make it feel as though it's a few generations behind the rest of the class.

Verdict: The Elantra Hybrid is a great value, but its unrefined hybrid powertrain and cheap-feeling interior have it following, rather than leading the class.

Now a plug-in hybrid, the redesigned 2025 BMW M5 is a versatile, high-performance sedan that allows drivers to have their cake and eat it, too. It may put out 717 horsepower—and certainly feels like it—but the M5’s repertoire also includes a calming all-electric driving experience for up to 25 miles, which also makes this version the most efficient M5 ever.

Verdict: The new BMW M5 boasts impressive speed, agility, and daily usability. It's not perfect; the exhaust is too quiet for a performance vehicle and its ride is too harsh for a luxury car. But for the shopper who wants a sedan capable of doing a bit of everything, the M5 delivers in excess.

If the disparity between your income and the cost of living is getting you down, but you need a new set of wheels, consider the 2024 Prius. The Prius recently won the 2024 World Car Design of the Year, carries up to five people, and holds up to 23.8 cubic feet of cargo behind its back seat. All-wheel drive (AWD) and a plug-in hybrid powertrain are available, and the Prius gets up to 57 mpg in combined driving. Prices start at less than $30,000.

Verdict: The 2024 Toyota Prius is the right car for lots of people. Blending intriguing design with comfortable front seats and a practical interior at an appealing price, the Prius is perfect for daily driving and will save you plenty of money at the gas pump.

Decades ago, few cars were anywhere near as fuel efficient as the Toyota Prius. Today, the 2025 Prius remains the fuel economy champion, but numerous alternatives are close behind. Some even offer more interior room at a lower price. That reality, coupled with the Prius’ cramped interior, limited trunk space, and general weirdness, means hybrid car buyers have options. In response, Toyota adds a new Nightshade trim level with a blacked-out look to the 2025 Prius lineup.

Verdict: The point of the 2025 Toyota Prius is fuel economy, but our Prius Nightshade test car averaged 39.2 mpg, falling significantly short of the EPA estimate of 52 mpg in combined driving. That certainly isn’t superior to roomier hybrid cars from Honda, Hyundai, or from within Toyota’s own lineup.

It’s easy to discount the value of a family sedan with so many crossovers on the road. But the fact is that this body style makes a lot of sense for a lot of families. The more manageable and maneuverable the vehicle, the better for teaching budding young drivers. Lighter weight also translates to better fuel economy, not to be sneered at when there are mouths to feed and tuitions to pay. And your typical midsize sedan is plenty spacious for four.

Fortunately, automakers have not forgotten about the venerable family sedan, keeping one another on their toes with updates, and it’s consumers who stand to benefit from that sort of healthy competition. Now, it’s the 2024 Hyundai Sonata’s turn for a mid-generation refresh.

Verdict: We already liked the Sonata Hybrid, and this refresh only improves it. The styling update and generous standard feature set make it a compelling choice, and the real automatic transmission is a virtually unique selling point.

The Camry is a perennial favorite among families. It’s earned its popularity, with a reputation for reliability and safety, but it also hasn’t had as many competitors to contend with as its crossover siblings have. The few rivals it does have are all either new or recently refreshed, and now, the same can be said of the Camry. For 2025 it debuts a new look, new features, and a new hybrid powertrain, and it sets a new baseline standard for the high-selling midsize sedan.

Verdict: Toyota knows its audience. The new 2025 Toyota Camry gives the people what they want, with up-to-date styling and tech, a strong value proposition helped along by excellent fuel economy, and, most importantly, no fatal flaws that might push a brand loyalist out of their comfort zone.

There aren’t any obvious downsides to buying a new 2024 Accord Hybrid unless you’re familiar with the previous-generation Accord equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It was legitimately fast, while today’s Accord Hybrid is merely quick enough. The upside is the hybrid model effortlessly returns fuel economy in the 40s, a worthy trade-off. Better yet, all 2024 Honda Accords except for the base LX and step-up EX get the hybrid powertrain as standard equipment.

Verdict: In addition to its impressive fuel economy, the 2024 Accord Hybrid is delightful to drive, thoughtfully detailed, and exceptionally practical, thanks to a roomy interior and a huge trunk. It is also a safe car, from its standard safety features to its crash-test ratings. Looking for a terrific family sedan? You’ve found it.

Honda offers the 2025 Accord Hybrid in four trim levels, each equipped with a drivetrain producing 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, while delivering up to 48 mpg in combined driving. Among midsize sedans, it has the roomiest back seat and the biggest trunk, adding comfort and practicality. This year, minor but meaningful changes include standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats, and rear air conditioning vents.

Verdict: Cars like the Accord used to be the traditional choice for a family of four. Now, consumers generally prefer crossover SUVs, so selecting an Accord is unconventional. Those that do will get a lot for their money, though. The 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid is roomy, comfortable, great to drive, safe in a collision, and budget-friendly.