Friday, November 8, 2024

10 Hybrid Models That Should Be On Your Shopping List

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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.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and the EPA. We’ve ranked the models below based on their starting MSRPs from least to most expensive, but we also take their Consumer Reports overall score into consideration.

1 Toyota Prius – $27,950

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability: 84/100

Toyota


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

Front-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Price

$27,950

$29,350

Powertrain

2.0-Liter, Four-Cylinder and Two Permanent-Magnet Motors

2.0-Liter, Four-Cylinder and Two Permanent-Magnet Motors

Horsepower

194 HP

196 HP

Torque

139 LB-FT

139 LB-FT

Transmission

Direct-Drive eCVT

Direct-Drive eCVT

Driveline

Front-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Battery

0.91 kWh Net

0.91 kWh Net

Range

588-644 Miles

514-567 Miles

Fuel Economy

52-57 MPG

49-54 MPG

0-60 MPH

7.0 Seconds

6.6 Seconds

Top Speed

115 MPH

115 MPH


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

Front three-quarters 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Kia

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

Hybrid

Price

$28,590

Powertrain

Turbocharged 1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor

Horsepower

227 HP

Torque

258 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-Speed Automatic

Driveline

All-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.49 kWh

Range

521-589 Miles

Fuel Economy

38-43 MPG

0-60 MPH

7.3 Seconds

Top Speed

132 MPH

Towing Capacity

2,000 Pounds


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

A gray .2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda 

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

Price

$28,750

Powertrain

2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor

Horsepower

200 HP

Torque

N/A

Transmission

Direct-Drive eCVT

Driveline

Front-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.05 kWh

Range

521 Miles

Fuel Economy

49 MPG

0-60 MPH

6.2 Seconds

Top Speed

125 MPH

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

A blue 2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid small hybrid SUV.
Toyota 

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

RAV4 Hybrid

Price

$31,725

Powertrain

2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder And Two Permanent-Magnet Motors

Horsepower

219 HP

Torque

163 LB-FT

Transmission

Direct Drive eCVT

Driveline

All-Wheel Drive

Battery

0.9 kWh Net

Range

566 Miles

Fuel Economy

37-39 MPG

0-60 MPH

7.8 Seconds

Top Speed

112 MPH

Towing Capacity

3,500 Pounds


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

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Hyundai

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

Hybrid

Price

$36,950

Powertrain

Turbocharged 1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor

Horsepower

226 HP

Torque

258 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-Speed Automatic

Driveline

All-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.49 kWh

Range

507-521 Miles

Fuel Economy

37-38 MPG

0-60 MPH

7.7 Seconds

Top Speed

125 MPH

Towing Capacity

2,000 Pounds


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

2024 Honda Accord Hybrid red front 3/4 shot
Honda

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

Price

$32,895

Powertrain

2.0-liter Four-Cylinder And Two Permanent-Magnet Motors

Horsepower

204 HP

Torque

134+181 LB-FT

Transmission

Direct Drive eCVT

Driveline

Front-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.06 kWh

Range

614 Miles

Fuel Economy

44-48 MPG

0-60 MPH

6.5 Seconds

Top Speed

125 MPH


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

Rear three-quarters shot of a blue Honda CR-V Hybrid
Honda

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

Sport Hybrid FWD

Sport Hybrid AWD

Price

$34,050

$35,850

Powertrain

2.0-liter Four-Cylinder And Two Permanent-Magnet Motors

2.0-liter Four-Cylinder And Two Permanent-Magnet Motors

Horsepower

204 HP

204 HP

Torque

274 LB-FT

247 LB-FT

Transmission

Direct Drive eCVT

Direct Drive eCVT

Driveline

Front-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.1 kWh Net

1.1 kWh Net

Range

560 Miles

518 Miles

Fuel Economy

44-48 MPG

44-48 MPG

0-60 MPH

8.0 Seconds

7.6 Seconds

Top Speed

111 MPH

111 MPH

Towing Capacity

1,000 Pounds

1,000 Pounds


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

2024 Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid in a desert terrain parked sideways.
Hyundai

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

Price

$36,950

Powertrain

Turbocharged 1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor

Horsepower

231 HP

Torque

271 LB-FT

Transmission

Six-Speed Automatic

Driveline

All-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.49 kWh

Range

TBA

Fuel Economy

34-36 MPG

0-60 MPH

9.8 Seconds

Top Speed

118 MPH

Towing Capacity

3,500 Pounds


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

A red Toyota Tacoma i Force Hybrid Max is parked on a hill.
Toyota 

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

Price

$46,300

Powertrain

Turbocharged 2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor

Horsepower

326 HP

Torque

465 LB-FT

Transmission

Eight-Speed Automatic

Driveline

Four-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.87 kWh

Range

TBA

Fuel Economy

24 MPG

0-60 MPH

6.5 Seconds

Top Speed

113 MPH

Towing Capacity

6,000 Pounds


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

350h

500h F Sport Performance

Price

$52,100

$64,100

Powertrain

2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor

2.4-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Permanent-Magnet Motor

Horsepower

246 HP

366 HP

Torque

233 LB-FT

406 LB-FT

Transmission

Direct-Drive eCVT

Direct-Drive eCVT

Driveline

All-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Battery

1.68 kWh

1.68 kWh

Range

619 Miles

464 Miles

Fuel Economy

36 MPG

27 MPG

0-60 MPH

7.4 Seconds

5.9 Seconds

Top Speed

124 MPH

130 MPH

Towing Capacity

3,500 Pounds

3,500 Pounds


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.

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