If you’re not ready for a full-on EV but still want to save on gas, a hybrid is your best bet
By Keith Barry
In 2008 I bought my first hybrid—a used Toyota Prius. I drove more than 400 miles a week for my job, so I welcomed its 43 mpg overall fuel economy. I also loved its geeky charm and rock-solid reliability, so much so that I bought another, and then another.
Still, I have to admit that my Prius had a lot of drawbacks common to early hybrids. It took forever to accelerate onto the highway, cost thousands more than a comparable Corolla, and was too small for a big family.
Since those early days, hybrid technology has improved quite a bit. As an autos reporter at CR, I can assure you that many of the latest hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs are more affordable, versatile, and fun to drive than their gas-only counterparts, let alone my poky old Prius. Hybrids also offer lower emissions than a gas-only car and without the charging hassles of a pure EV. Sound intriguing? With our expertise, we’ll help you determine whether a hybrid is right for you and share some models we really like.
How Hybrid Vehicles Work
Hybrids combine a battery pack, an electric motor that drives the car at low speeds, and a gas engine that kicks in for higher speeds, climbing hills, or recharging the battery. Regenerative braking uses the car’s momentum as it slows down or coasts to create extra electricity. “Hybrids are so fuel-efficient because they utilize energy that would otherwise be wasted,” says Jake Fisher, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center.
On the road, the electric motor adds smooth power, even when the gas engine is doing most of the work. This helps the car feel responsive, especially during around-town driving. The hybrids we’ve tested achieve higher road-test scores, on average, compared with nonhybrids.
Hybrid emissions are also up to one-third lower, according to our calculations. “That saved energy means less gasoline needs to be burned to travel the same number of miles,” says Chris Harto, senior energy policy analyst at CR.
Pure EVs are more efficient, but hybrids will play a key role over the next decade as EV charging infrastructure is built. “They can be a transition technology that helps lower emissions today,” he says.
If the option exists, car buyers should pick the hybrid version, Fisher says. “They get better fuel economy and are often quicker and quieter, too. In nearly every case, the hybrid version is the better option.”
Hybrid Vehicle Benefits
Higher mpg: Most hybrid SUVs get more than 35 mpg, and most hybrid sedans get more than 45 mpg. That’s about a 40 percent improvement over nonhybrids, on average.
Easy to use: Unlike a pure electric vehicle, you don’t have to plug in a hybrid. Simply refuel at any gas station.
Better to drive: CR’s tests show that the hybrid versions of many cars have more power and smoother acceleration than the gas-only models.
The Hybrid Vehicle Affordability Factor
Hybrid technology has generally meant comparatively higher sticker prices, though fuel savings can defray costs over time. Today’s average hybrid costs about $1,700 more, but the Ford Maverick pickup and Lexus NX SUV hybrids actually have lower sticker prices than gas-only versions.
In 2015 CR calculated that most hybrids took eight years to pay for themselves through fuel savings, with some, including the 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid and Lexus RX450h, taking more than a decade. Today, improved technology and higher gas prices mean the average payback is four years with gas at $4 a gallon and 12,000 miles driven a year. At $3 a gallon, the payback period increases to five years. The more miles driven, the quicker the payback.
You may also save money on repairs and maintenance. Case in point: The Prius is often in the top spot in our reliability surveys. A hybrid’s regenerative brakes create less wear and tear, so braking components can last longer, too. It’s true that replacing a hybrid battery can be a big expense, costing on average around $7,400, according to RepairPal, but our surveys show such replacements are rare. “Hybrid technology has been very reliable in our studies,” Fisher says.
Hybrid owners tell us in surveys that they’d buy their same car again, and 84 percent of the hybrids we’ve tested are recommended by CR compared with 53 percent for all tested models.
What About a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle?
Most hybrids don’t need to be plugged in, but there are a few plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can be charged to run on mostly electric power for around 25 to 50 miles before the gas engine takes over. Examples include the BMW X5 xDrive45e, Ford Escape PHEV, Hyundai Tucson PHEV, and Toyota RAV4 Prime. They can be charged at a regular household outlet, and some qualify for federal tax credits, unlike regular hybrids.
They’re ideal for drivers who take short trips and can do most of their driving on electricity, reserving the gas engine for longer trips. PHEV owners who charge every day save money because they can avoid using the gas engine. But a PHEV doesn’t make sense for long commutes.
“If you don’t plug it in, you’re better off buying a regular hybrid, which will usually cost less up front and get slightly better gas mileage than a PHEV after its electric range is depleted,” Harto says.
The Many Sizes of Hybrid Vehicles
Those in the market for a larger vehicle will see the most savings with a hybrid. Big SUVs, pickups, and minivans tend to get the worst fuel economy among all gas-powered vehicles, so efficiency improvements can become more meaningful. “Going from 20 mpg to 25 mpg saves a lot more fuel than going from 30 mpg to 35 mpg,” Fisher says.
And there are some great options out there, such as the Toyota Sienna minivan, which seats eight people and registers 36 mpg overall.
CR’s Top-Rated Hybrid Vehicles
From SUVs to pickup trucks, these are the best hybrids in every vehicle class that will also save you the most money. They are recommended by CR and have at least average predicted reliability. We calculated fuel savings based on $4-per-gallon gas and 12,000 miles driven per year. If you drive more than that, you’ll save even more.
Safety Term Glossary for the Vehicles Included Below
ACC: adaptive cruise control. AEB: automatic emergency braking. BSW: blind spot warning. FCW: forward collision warning. LDW: lane departure warning. LKA: lane keeping assistance. RCTW: rear cross traffic warning. (See CR’s guide to advanced car-safety feature names.)
2022 Lexus NX
We think the NX is best as a hybrid because it feels more refined during daily driving. We enjoy its initial shove of electric power off the line, although the gas engine is noticeable when it kicks in, and emergency stopping distances were over 10 feet longer than for the gas-only NX. Both versions have responsive handling, an absorbent ride, and a snazzy cabin. FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, and RCTW are standard.
When you’ll start saving: Day One. The NX350h we bought costs $175 less than the gas-only NX350, so you save right away. The hybrid gets 13 more mpg.
Fuel savings per year: $656
2022 Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson Hybrid is already one of the best compact SUVs, and the optional hybrid drivetrain makes it quieter, quicker, and more responsive. The ride is firm yet steady, handling is responsive and secure, and the quiet cabin is nicely trimmed. There’s generous backseat and cargo room compared with other SUVs in this size class. FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, LDW, and LKA are all standard.
When you’ll start saving: Three years. The Hybrid SEL we bought costs $1,225 more than the comparable gas-only version, but the Hybrid gets 9 mpg more.
Fuel savings per year: $475
2022 Ford Maverick
The Maverick is the first pickup truck to come standard as a hybrid. The ride is civilized and handling is very secure. Maneuverability, access, and visibility are commendable, and the utilitarian interior has super-easy controls. The 4.5-foot-long bed is deep enough to be useful for weekend chores. FCW and AEB with pedestrian detection come standard. BSW and RCTW are available.
When you’ll start saving: Day One. The gas-only Maverick costs more, so you save right away by buying the standard hybrid. The gas-only version has greater towing and AWD.
Fuel savings per year: $792
2022 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander Hybrid benefits from the same responsive handling, comfortable ride, pleasant interior, and abundant cargo space that all Highlanders boast, but its overall mpg is a major improvement over the gas-only V6. The downsides of the hybrid are more engine noise and tepid acceleration at highway speeds, and longer braking distances. On any version, the Highlander’s third row is pretty tight.
When you’ll start saving: Two years. The Hybrid XLE costs $1,620 more than a comparable gas-only XLE with a V6, but the hybrid version gets 13 mpg more overall.
Fuel savings per year: $810
2022 Toyota Prius
Today’s Prius, the car that made hybrids famous, is leaps and bounds ahead of the original version. It gets a class-leading 52 mpg and has a ton of interior space for people and cargo. Not everyone loves its tech-focused interior, and the payoff period from gas savings is long among comparable but cheaper, hatchbacks. It often tops our reliability surveys. FCW, AEB, LDW, LKA, and ACC come standard, while BSW and RCTW aren’t available on the base trim.
When you’ll start saving: About seven years. The hybrid-only Prius costs $2,810 more than the gas-only Corolla Hatchback, but the Prius gets 16 mpg more and is the one recommended by CR.
Fuel savings per year: $410
2022 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra stands out in its class for nimble handling, a roomy interior, and simple controls. The ride is a bit stiff and seat comfort is so-so unless you opt for the Limited trim. And adding fancy options, such as heated seats and adaptive cruise control, won’t break the bank. The hybrid version we tested had a smoother ride and a quieter cabin than the gas-only version. FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, and RCTW are all standard.
When you’ll start saving: About four years. The Elantra Hybrid costs $1,900 more than the gas-only version, but the hybrid version gets 15 mpg more overall.
Fuel savings per year: $455
2022 Honda Accord
All Accords have a comfortable interior, a spacious trunk, and handling that blends sportiness and smoothness. But the hybrid also benefits from an initial burst of electric power from stops and does a better job than the gas-only model at isolating road and wind noise. Trunk space is excellent. The only downside is an unintuitive push-button gear selector that’s hard to operate quickly or by feel. FCW and AEB are standard, but BSW and RCTW aren’t available on lower trims.
When you’ll start saving: Three years. The Accord Hybrid EX we tested got 47 mpg overall, and it costs $1,435 more than a comparable gas-only version. The hybrid got 16 mpg more overall.
Fuel savings per year: $527
Hybrid Vehicles We Don’t Love
‘Mild Hybrids’
You might see automakers using the term “mild hybrid” or “48-volt hybrid.” These vehicles have advanced electrical systems that may be able to power accessories, recapture energy from braking, or shut off the engine before the car comes to a stop, but they can’t be driven on just battery power. Mild hybrid systems include BMW’s eBoost, Ram’s eTorque, and similar offerings from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo. The technology provides only minor fuel savings compared with a true hybrid. We don’t count them as hybrids in our ratings.
Ford F-150 Hybrid (shown below)
Both F-150 versions suffer from below-average reliability. The F-150 PowerBoost hybrid we tested registered 20 mpg overall, just 1 mile better than the 2.7-liter turbo V6 nonhybrid, even though it costs $3,300 more. On the plus side, there’s additional towing capacity, and the battery can be used as a generator for job-site tools, campsite luxuries, and home appliances during outages.
Ford Escape and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrids
These SUVs are better with hybrid drivetrains, but they lag behind the competition for predicted reliability and don’t receive our recommendation.
Kia Sorento Hybrid SUV
At 28 mpg overall, this version gets only 3 mpg more than the conventional Sorento, and it will take 11 years to pay off the initial price difference.
Ford F-150 Hybrid
Consumer Reports
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the November 2022 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
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