With the auto business pivoting towards full electrification, it should not be shocking that the event of recent hybrid automobiles has principally screeched to a halt. Toyota/Lexus makes the majority of them, whereas solely Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Ford provide them in any respect. Nonetheless, there are nonetheless hybrids on the market, and the irony is that they’ve gotten extraordinarily good at roughly the identical time individuals stopped listening to them. That is a disgrace. We have already listed our decisions for finest hybrid SUVs and did a comparability check between the 2 hybrid minivans, and right here you may see our decisions for the most effective hybrid automobiles. And nope, the automobile synonymous with “hybrid,” the Toyota Prius, isn’t one among them.
Greatest Small Hybrid Vehicles | Greatest Midsize Hybrid Vehicles | Greatest Luxurious Hybrid Vehicles
And to be clear, we particularly imply “hybrid” within the conventional gasoline-electric sense the place the automobile recharges its batteries with its engine and by recouping power from coasting and braking. The gasoline engine and electrical motor(s) then pair in some association to energy the automobile collectively, therefore the time period “hybrid.” You needn’t plug it in, and it would not provide an considerable quantity of electric-only vary. That is what differentiates them from plug-in hybrids, which many automobile manufacturers (most notably these from Europe) are introducing as a substitute nowadays. They’re additionally to not be confused with the rising variety of “gentle hybrids” which will improve acceleration a tiny bit with an electrical motor, however not almost as a lot as full hybrids like these listed under can. Their effectivity enhancements are additionally far much less.
Yeah, so it is a bit complicated, however whereas ignored, conventional hybrids are nonetheless a wonderful approach of saving gasoline — be it for financial or environmental causes. They’re more and more even probably the most compelling variations of their respective mannequin lineups, which is certainly one thing that hasn’t been true prior to now.
Greatest Small Hybrid Vehicles
Honda Perception
Why it stands out: Excessive-quality cabin; good-looking appears to be like; electric-like energy supply
May very well be higher: Antiquated tech interface
EPA-Estimated Gas Economic system: 52 mpg mixed (EX) and 48 mpg mixed (Touring)
Learn our Honda Perception Evaluation
You may be forgiven for not realizing the Perception is a hybrid. Its standard compact sedan physique form and common lack of weirdness stand in sharp distinction to the hybrid expectations established by the Toyota Prius. Once more, you may observe that automobile isn’t discovered on this checklist. That is as a result of the Perception successfully will get the identical gas financial system as Toyota’s definitive hybrid, however betters it considerably by way of inside high quality and design, total consolation and noise, driving response, and fairly actually, it is not extraordinarily ugly. Fairly the other, truly. Mainly, the Perception is only a higher automobile than the Prius.
Hyundai Ioniq
Why it stands out: Greatest-in-class gas financial system; best-in-class tech; low value and lengthy guarantee; surprisingly enjoyable to drive
May very well be higher: A bit smaller than its rivals; a bit dorky
EPA-Estimated Gas Economic system: 55 mpg mixed or 59 mpg mixed (Eco trim stage)
Learn our Hyundai Ioniq Evaluation
If the Perception is a greater automobile than a Prius, the Ioniq is a significantly better deal. Although it lacks the polish of the Perception and positively goes by the Prius design playbook, the Ioniq undercuts the worth of each, gives a significantly better guarantee and will get higher gas financial system. Most Ioniqs get 55 mpg mixed, which is healthier than each Perception and fall simply wanting the particular Prius Eco mannequin’s 56 mpg mixed, whereas the particular Ioniq Blue guidelines all of them at 59 mpg mixed. On the similar time, the Ioniq is surprisingly enjoyable to drive, and it has the most effective in-car tech of this trio of compact, devoted hybrid fashions. There are additionally Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and Ioniq Electrical fashions, that are actually value a glance as effectively. Simply observe that not one of the above are to be confused with the upcoming Ioniq 5 electrical automobile.
Greatest Midsize Hybrid Vehicles
Honda Accord Hybrid
Why it stands out: Class-leading again seat and trunk house; electric-like energy supply; best-in-class journey and dealing with
May very well be higher: Iffy gas financial system of in any other case fascinating Sport and Touring trims
EPA-Estimated Gas Economic system: 47 mpg mixed or 43 mpg mixed (Sport and Touring trim ranges)
Learn our Honda Accord Hybrid Evaluation
The Honda Accord is our best choice amongst midsize household sedans, and that does not change with regards to hybrid variations. The truth is, the Hybrid is the Accord model we suggest first as its superior gas financial system and agreeable electric-like energy supply do not include substantial tradeoffs. Sure, it is costlier than an everyday gas-only Accord, however like the opposite hybrid sedans right here, the worth premium is manageable given the gasoline financial savings. Like each Accord, although, the Hybrid stands out with a really colossal quantity of inside house (the trunk is simply monumental), a well-made inside, and a driving expertise that units a just-right stability between journey consolation and dealing with response. And in contrast to different Hondas, together with the Perception and CR-V Hybrid, the Accord has a more recent, extra user-friendly tech interface.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Why it stands out: Greatest-in-class infotainment and security expertise; daring model; drives “extra regular”
May very well be higher: OK, so possibly the styling’s too daring
EPA-Estimated Gas Economic system: 47 mpg mixed or 52 mpg mixed (Blue trim stage)
Learn our Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Evaluation
For all the various sensible, space-related areas the place the Accord Hybrid leads the section, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is principally only a hair or two behind it. On the similar time, its daring styling and fashionable inside assist it stand out in non-practical methods — its design is probably not for everybody, however Hyundai is at all times at its finest when it is pushing the envelope, and this newest Sonata isn’t any totally different. Moreover its design, the Sonata Hybrid is a transparent standout by way of infotainment and security expertise. Though the checklist of options between it and its opponents are related, Hyundai’s execution and user-friendliness are superior. Many are additionally prone to favor driving Hyundai’s hybrid powertrain. It makes use of a conventional six-speed computerized, which means it drives “extra regular” with stepped gear adjustments as a substitute of the Camry’s e-CVT or the Accord’s uncommon, too-complicated-to-describe-here setup.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Why it stands out: Totally different “flavors” of Camry with extra luxury- and sport-oriented fashions
May very well be higher: Antiquated infotainment system; much less refined energy supply
EPA-Estimated Gas Economic system: 46 mpg mixed or 52 mpg mixed (LE trim stage)
Learn our Toyota Camry Hybrid Evaluation
The Camry would positively be our third selection on this group of midsize hybrids, however that is as a result of the Accord and Sonata do most issues just a bit higher. The Camry Hybrid remains to be actually good. Certainly, it is the decide of the Camry litter. Its electrical motor provides the low-end pull the bottom four-cylinder lacks, whereas additionally smoothing issues out significantly. Moreover, the battery’s placement beneath the again seat lowers the automobile’s middle of gravity and lessens the entrance weight bias, making for improved dynamics round corners. A heavy proper foot nonetheless leads to a good bit of droning from the powertrain, however it’s higher than previous Toyota hybrid efforts, as is the brake-pedal modulation. You could get it within the sportiest, extra luxurious XSE together with a wide range of luxury- and sport-oriented “flavors” is icing on the cake. Importantly, it may get the identical gas financial system because the Prius whereas being a wildly extra refined and simply higher automobile.
Greatest Luxurious Hybrid Vehicles
Lexus LC 500h
Why it stands out: Simply have a look at the factor; stunning inside; distinctive gas financial system for a luxurious GT
May very well be higher: Hybrid energy supply can appear a bit bizarre in a automobile like this
EPA-Estimated Gas Economic system: 29 mpg mixed
Lexus is actually the one luxurious automobile model that sells standard hybrids nowadays, so the truth that it sweeps the rostrum right here shouldn’t be taken for something better than it’s. Its ES 300h hybrid even misses the reduce — certain, it is a hybrid, however it’s hardly a compelling automobile and the mechanically associated Toyota Avalon Hybrid is a greater purchase.
Now that that is out of the way in which, how in regards to the LC 500h! It is a attractive luxurious GT with an inside beautiful sufficient in design and high quality to make up for the truth that its tech interface makes you need to pull your hair out. Though the common LC 500’s 5.0-liter V8 will at all times maintain a particular place in our hearts, there is no denying that the LC 500h and its 29 mpg mixed is a much more accountable selection — particularly for a automobile that is snug and nice sufficient to legitimately drive every day or on lengthy highway journeys. The hybrid powertrain can be spectacular sufficient that it received our 2018 Know-how of the Yr award. That is as shut as you may get to a guilt-free luxurious GT.
Lexus LS 500h
Why it stands out: Distinctive and exquisitely made inside; extra participating to drive than you’d suppose; distinctive gas financial system
May very well be higher: Much less highly effective than different flagship luxurious sedans; much less refined infotainment
EPA-Estimated Gas Economic system: 28 mpg mixed (RWD) or 26 mpg mixed (AWD)
Learn our Lexus LS 500h Evaluation
The Lexus LS way back bought a fame as a dull-as-ditch-water luxurious sedan, however that is simply not the case with the newest model. It truly has the identical powertrain and shares its rear-wheel-drive platform with the LC 500h, and though it is not as sharp as that, this is not the Grandpa’s sofa that earlier LS generations had been. We legitimately get pleasure from driving the LS greater than most variations of the BMW 7 Sequence (think about saying that 15 years in the past!), and that features the compelling LS 500h hybrid. This does make up for the truth that this hybrid Lexus’ gas financial system is not that significantly better than the gas-only BMW 740i, however that claims extra about BMW’s engineering wizardry, as no different flagship luxurious sedan comes near both. You may even be coping with Lexus reliability, and though the model’s design is not at all times for everybody, the LS usually seems extra athletic than its extra conservative, stately rivals. Its “Signature Spindle Grille” even appears refined in comparison with the faces of the flagship BMW, Audi and Genesis sedans.
