11 Hybrids to Help Cut Your Commute Costs
Gas is expensive, so you might as well save where you can.
By Wesley Wren
While electric vehicles are the talk of the town, hybrids—and their more advanced plug-in hybrid siblings—are sneaking under the radar. While plug-in hybrids give you more flexibility than standard hybrids and more electric range, not everyone is open to the idea of the added cost or effort of a plug-in hybrid. With that in mind, we pulled together some of our favorite full hybrids from mainstream brands—and even a luxury make. So without further ado, check out these hybrids.
2023 Toyota Prius
MPG: 57/56/57
Base price: $28,545
When it comes to hybrid vehicles, ignoring the Toyota Prius is almost impossible. One of the early mass-market hybrids, the Prius might not have been considered particularly stylish.
Though, for 2023 the team at Toyota flipped the script on the once-utilitarian Prius. This latest generation Prius ushers the nameplate into its fifth generation with a bang. The bold design makes it unquestionably the most interesting-looking Prius to leave Toyota’s factory, and it packs a 2.0-liter I4 under the hood that makes 150 hp.
Adding the hybrid system into the mix, that figure rises to 194 hp for front-drive Prius models and 196 hp for the AWD variant. This machine can eke out 57 miles per gallon in the city, and 56 on the highway if you opt for the front-drive base model.
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
MPG: 35/35/35
Base price: $38,015
If you need more space than a Prius but don’t want to leave the Toyota dealership, the Japanese automaker has plenty of other answers for your hybrid desires. Sure, you can nab a body-on-frame Sequoia hybrid or a similarly large Tundra hybrid, but for your daily grind, the Highlander might be the better answer.
Entering its fourth generation in 2020, Toyota’s Highlander builds on its family-hauling spirit but added some extra style. Under the new Highlander Hybrid’s hood, you’ll find a 2.5-liter Atkinson Cycle I4 that makes 186 hp by its lonesome.
Though, this four-cylinder gets assistance from the hybrid system baked into the eCVT. Combined output from the hybrid system and the internal-combustion engine rises to 243 hp, while this hybrid crossover boasts a consistent 35 mpg highway and city.
2023 Honda Accord Hybrid
MPG: 46/41/44
Base price: $32,440
While the Honda Civic might not have a hybrid variant, yet, the larger Accord does give you some electrical relief.
Honda’s Accord just entered its 11th generation with the ’23 model year and repositioned the hybrid to become the sportier model. Under the Accord’s hood is a 2.0-liter Atkinson I4 that sends 204 hp to the front wheels with the help of the dual-motor hybrid system.
On its own, this naturally aspirated I4 makes a meek 146 hp. This system, in this package, might not be as efficient as others at 46 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, but it’s a huge step above the standard Accord’s 29 mpg city.
2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid
MPG: 43/36/40
Base price: $33,350
If you don’t want a sedan, but still want a hybrid from Honda, there’s also an answer. Sharing its bones with the Civic’s platform, the latest generation of Honda CR-V builds on over 20 years of hauling people around.
Available in both all-wheel drive and just front-wheel drive, this crossover can handle your commute while saving you some money. Powering the CR-V is a similar powertrain to the Accord above: a 2.0-liter I4 that works with a dual-motor hybrid system to make 181 hp, combined.
There’s a slight penalty for highway driving on the all-wheel-drive model, but Honda says all CR-V Hybrids hit 40 mpg city. The 36 highway mpg on the front-drive models dips to 34 if you opt for all-wheel drive.
2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid
MPG: 40/33/37
Base price: $26,495
Surprising almost everyone, Ford revived its Maverick nameplate in 2021 as a pickup truck. Despite its someway confusing nameplate, the reborn Maverick’s compact size and once-standard hybrid powertrain turned it into an instant hit.
For ’24, the Maverick hasn’t changed a lot, but the price has increased alongside the base model’s standard content. The once standard issue hybrid system is now a cost option, which still might be worth the extra cash.
Under the Maverick’s hood, you’ll find a 2.5-liter I4 that makes 162 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. It works with its hybrid system to crank out 191 hp of total system output while only reaching 40 mpg in the city. That number drops to 33 mpg on the highway.
That said, you’re still doing this with a pickup bed out back to haul anything you wouldn’t want to put in your cargo area.
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
MPG: 42/36/39
Base price: $34,835
Sharing the same bones as the Ford Maverick, it only makes sense that the popular Escape would also have a hybrid variant.
In fact, the Escape offers both this standard hybrid and a plug-in hybrid if you’re chasing an even more electrified experience. Refreshed for the ’23 model year, the sharper-looking Escape shares a powertrain with the Maverick.
That means this Escape gets the same 2.5-liter I4, though it makes one horsepower more. The 163-hp I4 works with a hybrid system to squeeze out 192 hp in total. The shape also helps it beat the Maverick’s fuel economy at 42/36/39, but you lose the convenience of a pickup bed.
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
MPG: 53/56/54
Base price: $25,665
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra hybrid sneaks into this list below the Maverick and makes it the most affordable of the bunch.
While the Elantra N might be the enthusiast’s choice, the Elantra Hybrid has plenty to offer in the way of fuel savings. Powering this Elantra is a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated I4 that makes a paltry 104 hp and 109 lb-ft of torque.
Fortunately, this I4 gets the assistance of a hybrid system to crank the output to a still relatively low 139 hp. That said, what this Elantra lacks in oomph it makes up for with 53 mpg city and 56 mpg highway.
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
MPG: 36/31/34
Base price: $37,545
Like other smaller sedans on this list, the Elantra isn’t for everyone. Stepping up to a Santa Fe does ding your fuel economy, but gives you plenty more space.
Though the next-generation Santa Fe’s wild styling might give you pause if you have time to wait, this Santa Fe is here today. Powering the Santa Fe Hybrid is a 1.6-liter turbocharged I4 that makes 178 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque by itself.
Add the hybrid system and the output rises to 261 hp. Though, the turbocharger knocks the rated fuel economy at 36 mpg city and 31 highway.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
MPG: 42/44/43
Base price: $28,815
Over the last 30 years, Kia’s Sportage nameplate has spanned five generations. This most recent iteration kicked off in ’21.
While you might have to tell folks that your “KN” car is actually a Kia, it makes up for that short conversation with a pretty good value.
Like the Santa Fe above, this Kia crossover blends a turbocharged 1.6-liter I4 with a hybrid system. Combined, that’s good for a 227-hp ute that can sip 42 mpg city and 44 mpg highway.
2023 Lexus ES 300h
MPG: 43/44/44
Base price: $45,090
If you want to step up to a more luxurious cabin without breaking the bank, the Lexus ES 300h is here to answer the call.
The current Lexus ES might be getting close to the end of its road, with new models making their way to the lineup every five or six years. But that’s not really a big deal considering this current ES launched in 2018.
Still, the ES 300h gives you a comfy sedan commute while boasting 44 combined mpg from a 2.5-liter I4 that works with a hybrid system.
2024 Lexus UX 250h
MPG: 43/41/42 mpg
Base price: $37,190
If you find out that you’d rather have a smaller crossover while you’re at the Lexus store, the UX 250h still gives you a hybrid powerplant (and fuel savings) with a small crossover shell.
While the larger Lexus sedan uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, the UX opts for a 2.0-liter I4 to work with its hybrid system. This works to squeeze 43 mpg city and 41 mpg highway while making a combined 181 hp.
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