Cheapest Hybrid Cars of 2023

Hybrid cars are a great way to save a few bucks in the long run by spending more upfront. And they are an excellent stepping-stone for those who want to eventually transition to a full EV. However, electrification in cars - whether hybrid or otherwise - costs more than what standard gas-powered cars cost, and that’s a hurdle some consumers can’t overcome. This makes the list of cheapest hybrid cars very appealing.

This is a list of the cheapest hybrid cars available for 2023 in the USA:

BuzzScore
Design
Performance
MPG
Interior
Infotainment
Reliability
Safety
Value
#1
2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
9.3
BuzzScore
10
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#2
2023 Kia Sorento Hybrid
9.3
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
10
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#3
2023 Ram 1500
9.3
BuzzScore
10
Design
10
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#4
2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
9.1
BuzzScore
8
Design
9
Performance
10
MPG
8
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#5
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
9.1
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
9
MPG
8
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#6
2023 Lexus RX Hybrid
9.1
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
9
Safety
10
Value
#7
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
9
BuzzScore
8
Design
8
Performance
10
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
9
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#8
2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
9
BuzzScore
9
Design
7
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
10
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#9
2023 Toyota Sienna
9
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
10
MPG
8
Interior
8
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#10
2023 Lexus NX Hybrid
9
BuzzScore
8
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
8
Interior
10
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#11
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
8.9
BuzzScore
9
Design
8
Performance
8
MPG
8
Interior
10
Infotainment
10
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#12
2023 Toyota Venza
8.9
BuzzScore
9
Design
7
Performance
10
MPG
7
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#13
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
8.9
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#14
2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
8.8
BuzzScore
8
Design
6
Performance
10
MPG
8
Interior
8
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#15
2023 Toyota Prius
8.8
BuzzScore
9
Design
7
Performance
10
MPG
8
Interior
8
Infotainment
10
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#16
2023 Honda Accord Hybrid
8.8
BuzzScore
8
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#17
2023 Toyota Crown
8.8
BuzzScore
7
Design
9
Performance
10
MPG
8
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
7
Value
#18
2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
8.8
BuzzScore
8
Design
7
Performance
10
MPG
8
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#19
2022 Honda Insight
8.4
BuzzScore
8
Design
5
Performance
10
MPG
7
Interior
7
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#20
2023 Lexus ES Hybrid
8.4
BuzzScore
6
Design
6
Performance
10
MPG
8
Interior
7
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value

Characteristics of the Cheapest Hybrid Cars

The best cheap hybrid cars have a lot to offer, but in order to keep their costs low, they have to follow a very specific recipe that homogenizes many of their characteristics:

  • They are extremely frugal
  • They have decent all-electric range in PHEV guise
  • They prioritize reliability and long-term ownership
  • They include a number of desirable safety features

What to Consider When Buying a Cheap Hybrid Car

Hybrid cars are becoming increasindly popular in the US for buyers who want the benefits of better fuel economy but can’t afford or don’t yet trust fully electric vehicles. However, they do have some drawbacks:

Pros

  • Improved gas mileage figures
  • High maneuverability from smaller models
  • Plug-in hybrids have good overall range
  • Build quality and reliability are usually great
  • Plenty of standard features, especially for safety
  • Longer warranties for electric components

Cons

  • Powertrains are usually lackluster
  • Dull driving experiences
  • Electric components can compromise practicality
  • Low-grade cabin materials are common

FAQs

What is the best cheap hybrid car?

Surprisingly, one of the cheapest hybrids on the market is actually a pickup truck, the Ford Maverick. It’s priced under $25k. Hyundai offers both the Ioniq and Elantra as hybrids for less than $25k, while the evergreen Toyota Corolla can also be had as a hybrid for around $23k.

How reliable are cheap hybrid cars?

Most cheap cars are made by automakers who know how to appeal to value seekers. Chief among these is longevity, which is why cheap hybrid cars boast high reliability ratings. Automakers like Toyota and Hyundai have solid reputations and offer good warranties.

Do automakers still make hybrid cars?

Most of the upcoming alternative fuel vehicles are EVs, as automakers have moved beyond hybrids. That being said, there are still a lot of current models using hybrid technology, and some new ones use it, too, especially to enhance performance.

What is the price of the cheapest hybrid car?

There was a time when hybrid cars cost a hefty some, but now there are numerous models well below the $30,000 price mark. The Hyundai Ioniq and Toyota Corolla both start at a little under $25,000, while the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Insight, and Kia Niro are all slightly above $25k.
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