10 Hybrid Models That Should Be On Your Shopping List

There are plenty of reasons as to why you should be considering a hybrid vehicle, with low fuel and maintenance costs being the primary reasons. Opting for a hybrid is also a great means of transitioning to full electric vehicle ownership at a later stage, as it gives you some EV experience without having to forgo the convenience of an ICE altogether. The issue that many potential buyers struggle with today is the high purchase prices. Hybrids also are not eligible for the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit, so you have to pay the price that you see.

Thankfully, hybrids tend to be fairly sensible vehicle options, as they benefit from improved value retention and long-term reliability. New hybrid options are also far more affordable and accessible when compared to their older and more experimental counterparts, further motivating them as an ideal purchase. If you’re looking to enter the world of gasoline-electric hybrid ownership, these options are worthwhile considering.

1 Toyota Prius – $27,950

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 84/100

Consumer Reports gives the Toyota Prius an 84/100 predicted reliability score, making it one of the most trustworthy hybrid cars you can consider in the new car market. It also benefits from a 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction rating.

Performance Specifications

Today’s Prius range consists of several derivatives, including a front-wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive option. The Prime PHEV sits at the top of the range, but you can only have it with the front-wheel drive system. Granted, it produces much more power and achieves one of the best efficiency and range estimates from the EPA.

2 Kia Sportage Hybrid – $28,590

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 56/100

The Kia Sportage earns a 56/100 predicted reliability rating from Consumer Reports, but its 85/100 road test rating helps bring its overall score up to 79/100, making it one of the more favorable hybrid vehicles in its class. The publication also suggests you’ll get to experience a 3/5 owner satisfaction. J.D. Power gives the model a bit more confidence with an 83/100 overall rating.

Performance Specifications

The Sportage Hybrid features the group’s turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing between 227 and 261 horsepower, depending on which electrification system you opt for. The most frugal model returns 43 MPG on the combined cycle and covers 589 miles on a single tank.

3 Honda Civic Hybrid – $28,750

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: TBA

The Honda Civic is an all-new derivative, which Consumer Reports confirms is currently on test. This means we’ll get its official road test score and predicted reliability in the coming weeks. It does disclose a 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction rating.

Performance Specifications

The all-new Civic Hybrid derivative incorporates the brand’s naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor, which generates a combined 200 horsepower. The EPA estimates this will return 49 MPG on its combined cycle.

4 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $31,275

The Toyota RAV4 benefits from a 75/100 overall score from Consumer Reports, which includes a 73/100 road test and 80/100 predicted reliability rating. The publication also awards it a 2/5 predicted owner satisfaction grading. J.D. Power backs this result with an 80/100 overall rating.

Performance Specifications

Toyota offers the RAV4 Hybrid with an all-wheel drive system, resulting in an impressive 219-horsepower output. It’s also able to achieve a 39 MPG combined consumption figure and 566 miles of range on a single tank. The hybrid uses the brand’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a pair of permanent-magnet motors and a 0.9 kWh battery pack.

5 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid – $32.575

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 53/100

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid earns an impressive 85/100 overall score from Consumer Reports, which includes a 94/100 road test score and 53/100 predicted reliability rating. The review also indicates that you’ll get to experience a 3/5 owner satisfaction.

Performance Specifications

The Tucson Hybrid features similar specifications to the aforementioned Sportage, as they are mechanically identical twins. The Tucson suffers from a fractional loss of power, affording it worse performance figures, but it can still achieve an impressive 38 MPG combined fuel consumption figure and tow up to 2,000 pounds.

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6 Honda Accord Hybrid – $32,895

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 66/100

The Honda Accord is one of the country’s highest-selling hybrid vehicles, and that’s mostly thanks to the solid reputation it has built over the years. Consumer Reports awards this with a class-leading 89/100 overall rating, which includes a 96/100 road test score and 66/100 predicted reliability and 3/5 owner satisfaction ratings.

Performance Specifications

The new Honda Accord Hybrid features the same powertrain as the aforementioned Civic, but with a slight bump in power. This, and its larger dimensions, results in it returning a 48 MPG combined fuel consumption estimate in the EPA’s testing, together with a 614-mile range claim.

7 Honda CR-V Hybrid – $34,650

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 54/100

Consumer Reports awards the Honda CR-V Hybrid an impressive 84/100 overall score, including a 93/100 road test rating. Unfortunately, its 54/100 predicted reliability rating leaves a lot to be desired, but it does benefit from a more preferable 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction result.

Performance Specifications

Honda’s current CR-V Hybrid option is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive systems. The former produces the best efficiency estimates, including a 48 MPG result on the combined cycle and a 560-mile range claim. Upgrading to the all-wheel drive system doesn’t affect consumption, but the range is cut down to around 518 miles. Both models can tow up to 1,000 pounds.

8 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid – $36,950

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 46/100

The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid earns an 84/100 score from Consumer Reports, consisting of a 94/100 road test rating and 46/100 predicted reliability score. The 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction result further motivates it as a viable new hybrid vehicle option.

Performance Specifications

The new-generation Santa Fe retains the same powertrain, but with a nominal jump in power to 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet. Using this, it enjoys a 36 MPG combined consumption estimate, while the EPA is yet to announce its range capabilities. It’s only got enough grunt to two 3,500 pounds, which isn’t the most practical figure for its class.

9 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid – $46,300

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 65/100

The Toyota Tacoma is another hybrid vehicle that Consumer Reports is currently reviewing, so we’ll get a full score in the coming weeks, but it does reveal a 65/100 predicted reliability and 3/5 owner satisfaction rating. J.D. Power awards it an 82/100 overall score, specifically highlighting its great resale value.

Performance Specifications

The current-generation Tacomabenefits from a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrification system, which Toyota attaches to a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This is capable of returning 24 MPG on the combined cycle, which isn’t amazing for a hybrid, but not a bad figure for a truck. The EPA is yet to announce its range estimates. Unfortunately, this drivetrain can only accommodate up to 6,000 pounds of towing.

10 Lexus RX Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $52,100

The Lexus RX Hybrid earns an 83/100 overall rating from Consumer Reports, together with an 86/100 road test score, 69/100 predicted reliability rating, and 4/5 owner satisfaction score. J.D. Power backs this with an 85/100 overall rating, highlighting quality and reliability as a key strength.

Performance Specifications

Lexus offers two RX Hybrid state-of-tunes, with the base model being the 350h and the flagship, the 500h F Sport. Both feature the same naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder drivetrain with two electric motors, but the former is the one to get if you’re after the best efficiency. The EPA estimates that this will return 36 MPG on the combined cycle and cover 619 miles on a single tank.