Cheapest Hybrid Cars

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.

The Ford Maverick really shook up the pickup-truck market when it arrived as a 2022 model. Ford’s compact pickup utilizes the same basic platform as the Escape and Bronco Sport crossovers, but offers real truck capability and a hybrid powertrain to boot. The 2025 model features styling and tech updates, but the biggest news is a Maverick Lobo performance variant and an all-wheel drive (AWD) hybrid, so that’s what we focused on for this first drive.

Verdict: The Maverick is still a great vehicle, but it’s not quite the bargain it once was.

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.

If your priority is fuel economy, the lightly refreshed 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is one of the better choices in the small and subcompact SUV class. It's comfortable, easy to drive, and benefits from Toyota's reputation for safety and reliability, but it may leave some drivers wanting more power and excitement.

Verdict: It’s not very exciting to drive, but the Corolla Cross delivers on comfort, safety, and ease of use.

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.

The Sportage is big enough for family use, but not so large that it's unwieldy or difficult to park in the city or in an owner's garage. It's packed with useful technology, and boasts bold styling that stands out in a sea of similarly shaped crossovers. In its hybrid-powered form, it’s also efficient, though its mileage ratings drop dramatically with all-wheel drive (AWD).

Verdict: The 2026 Kia Sportage is sized right in between smaller subcompact and larger compact crossover SUVs, and it strikes an intriguing balance of roominess, comfort and efficiency that ought to win over plenty of American buyers.

There’s no V8 under the hood of a Dodge Hornet. Instead, this compact crossover (or compact utility vehicle, as Dodge calls it) comes equipped with a four-cylinder engine or, in the case of the 2024 R/T trim, a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

As fuel-efficiency and low-emissions vehicles become more appealing to shoppers, the Hornet represents a major milestone for Dodge. If the company is going to remain relevant in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace, this little crossover needs to be a hit.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 is one of two compact SUVs in the automaker's portfolio, sitting below the bigger Mazda CX-90 and Mazda CX-70 and above the CX-30 compact crossover in the automaker’s lineup. It joined the existing Mazda CX-5 in 2023 rather than replacing it, which was an odd decision considering their similarities. Nevertheless, just like the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback and the MX-5 Miata sports car, they're the fun yet refined choice in the class. The 2025 Mazda CX-50's new hybrid powertrain adds fuel efficiency to the mix, giving it an edge over its CX-5 sibling.

Verdict: The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid brings a potent yet efficient powertrain to an already sporty SUV. Combined with attractive styling and a near-luxury interior, it would be hard to beat if it weren't for its limited passenger and cargo space.

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 Prius Plug-In Hybrid is, as the name states, a plug-in hybrid version of the seminal Toyota Prius, further boosting efficiency with up to 44 miles of all-electric driving range. This model was known as the Toyota Prius Prime up to the 2025 model year, and for 2026 a new Nightshade Edition joins the lineup. While other mainstream brands like Hyundai and Kia offer plug-in hybrids, the Prius stands out with svelte styling.

Verdict: A stylish alternative to other plug-in hybrids and an efficient commuter car, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid is let down by a chintzy interior.

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.

The Kia Niro gets redesigned for 2023 model year, but keeps its trifecta of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. With the demise of its Hyundai Ioniq (not to be confused with the Ioniq 5) cousin, the Niro is now the only vehicle sold in the United States with those three powertrain options, ranging from a traditional hybrid to a fully electric vehicle.

The second-generation 2023 Kia Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid gets the same updates as its Kia Niro Hybrid and Niro EV siblings (which we’ll cover in separate reviews), including dramatic new styling and a revamped interior, plus more power and electric range than the previous-generation Niro PHEV, which dated back to the 2018 model year.

The plug-in hybrid market has shifted a bit since that first-generation Niro PHEV was launched. That version was considered significant because it wasn’t derived from a non-electrified model, but that no longer seems to be a priority for automakers or customers. Aside from the Toyota Prius Prime, most mainstream plug-in hybrids are now variants of existing crossovers, such as the Ford Escape PHEV, Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Prime—as well as Kia’s own Sportage PHEV.

So the question for the 2023 Niro PHEV is, with plug-in hybrid versions of familiar crossover models now available, does a dedicated design still matter?