With the auto business pivoting towards full electrification, it should not be stunning that the event of recent hybrid vehicles has mainly screeched to a halt. Toyota/Lexus makes the majority of them, whereas moreover solely Honda, Hyundai and Kia provide them in any respect. Hybrid vehicles — particularly sedans and hatchbacks — are an endangered species as SUVs proceed to take over, together with as hybrids.
And to be clear, we particularly imply “hybrid” within the conventional gasoline-electric sense the place the automotive 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 automotive collectively, therefore the time period “hybrid.” You need not 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 are being launched in growing numbers today. Hybrids are additionally to not be confused with the rising variety of “gentle hybrids” which will improve acceleration a tiny bit with an electrical motor. Delicate hybrids’ effectivity enhancements are additionally far much less.
Learn extra: Greatest electrical vehicles and SUVs for 2022 and 2023
Learn extra: Least expensive electrical vehicles of 2022
Yeah, so it’s kind of complicated, however whereas neglected, conventional hybrids are nonetheless a superb means 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 wasn’t true up to now.
Greatest Small Hybrid Vehicles | Greatest Midsize Hybrid Vehicles | Greatest Luxurious Hybrid Vehicles
Greatest small hybrid vehicles
Honda Perception
Professionals: Excessive-quality cabin; good-looking appears; electric-like energy supply
Cons: It has been cancelled for 2023; antiquated tech interface
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 52 mpg mixed (EX) and 48 mpg mixed (Touring)
Learn our Honda Perception Evaluate
The Honda Perception is our best choice for a small hybrid automotive, which makes it much more unhappy that Honda is discontinuing it for 2023 (although it is doable it might be changed). So, if this appears like your kind of hybrid (and it in all probability ought to), we might recommend performing rapidly earlier than all of them disappear. And actually, you would possibly’ve not realized the Perception was a hybrid within the first place. Its typical compact sedan physique form and normal lack of weirdness stand in sharp distinction to the hybrid expectations established by the Toyota Prius. On the similar time, the Perception successfully will get the identical gasoline economic system as Toyota’s definitive hybrid, however betters it considerably when it comes to inside high quality and design, general consolation and noise, and driving response. And fairly truthfully, it isn’t as ugly. Fairly the other, truly. Principally, the Perception is only a higher automotive than the Prius. Hopefully Honda does the truth is come out with a substitute.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Professionals: There aren’t many compact hybrids left, and it is one of the best one; regular driving expertise; spacious inside
Cons: Styling could also be a bit overboard.
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 50 mpg mixed and 54 mpg mixed (Blue trim)
Learn our Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Evaluate
Now that the Honda Perception shall be no extra, the 2023 Elantra Hybrid has turn out to be your finest guess amongst compact hybrid sedans. It has additionally successfully changed Hyundai’s drastically underappreciated Ioniq Hybrid. Past getting distinctive gasoline economic system of fifty or 54 mpg mixed, relying on trim stage, the Elantra Hybrid stands out by being awfully regular to drive. There is not any droning electronically managed CVT mooing as with Toyota system and the engine would not rev even when your foot is not on the accelerator like Honda’s. The reason being Hyundai makes use of a standard six-speed computerized transmission for its hybrid system. The Elantra additionally stands out as a result of, effectively, simply take a look at the factor. It is awfully wild with all these sharp creases all over the place, dominant grille and pointy rear finish. The inside, in the meantime, is extra typical by hybrid requirements (for the higher), that includes a glance that’s trendy and sporty. Its infotainment and security expertise are additionally prime notch.
Toyota Prius
Professionals: Obtainable all-wheel-drive; it is synonymous with hybrids; one of many few compact hybrids left; versatile cargo house
Cons: Loud; bizarre inside design; dated expertise; ugly styling
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 52 mpg mixed or 56 mpg mixed (Eco trim stage)
NOTE: Details about the 2023 Toyota Prius was not out there on the time of this writing
We left the Prius off this record final yr. Fairly merely, the Honda Perception and Hyundai Ioniq had been higher vehicles. Each will quickly be useless, which implies by default, the Prius strikes again as much as the rostrum. It stays a flawed selection because of its weird inside with aged tech and meh high quality, ample inside noise, indifferent driving expertise (even for a hybrid), and ugly exterior styling that nearly definitely has contributed to the Prius’ recognition plummeting with the newest technology. Nonetheless, the Prius will get 52 mpg mixed, which is the entire level of a hybrid, proper? It additionally has a spacious, versatile inside, and though the driving expertise could definitely be devoid of any suggestions not to mention enjoyment, not less than it is easy to drive. You can even get it with all-wheel drive, which is exclusive amongst hybrid vehicles. So mainly, it is a lukewarm suggestion. Look first at these decisions above and beneath.
Greatest midsize hybrid vehicles
Honda Accord Hybrid
Professionals: Class-leading again seat and trunk house; electric-like energy supply; best-in-class trip and dealing with
Cons: Iffy gasoline economic system within the in any other case fascinating Sport and Touring trims
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 47 mpg mixed or 43 mpg mixed (Sport and Touring trim ranges)
Learn our Honda Accord Hybrid Evaluate
NOTE: This is applicable to the 2022 Accord Hybrid. There’ll reportedly be a significant refresh for ’23.
The Honda Accord is our best choice amongst midsize household sedans, and that does not change in terms of hybrid variations. The truth is, the Hybrid is the Accord model we suggest first as its superior gasoline economic 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 value 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 trip 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
Professionals: Greatest-in-class infotainment and security expertise; daring type; drives “extra regular”
Cons: OK, so perhaps the styling’s too daring
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 47 mpg mixed or 52 mpg mixed (Blue trim stage)
Learn our Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Evaluate
For all the numerous sensible, space-related areas the place the Accord Hybrid lead the section, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is mainly only a hair or two behind it. On the similar time, its daring styling and stylish inside assist it stand out in non-practical methods — its design is probably not for everybody, however Hyundai is all the time at its finest when it is pushing the envelope, and this newest Sonata isn’t any completely different. Apart from its design, the Sonata Hybrid is a transparent standout when it comes to infotainment and security expertise. Though the record of options between it and its opponents are comparable, Hyundai’s execution and user-friendliness are superior. Many are additionally prone to want driving Hyundai’s hybrid powertrain. It makes use of a standard six-speed computerized, which means it drives “extra regular” with stepped gear adjustments as an alternative of the Camry’s e-CVT or the Accord’s uncommon, too-complicated-to-describe-here setup.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Professionals: Completely different “flavors” of Camry with extra luxury- and sport-oriented fashions
Cons: Antiquated infotainment system; much less refined energy supply
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 46 mpg mixed or 52 mpg mixed (LE trim stage)
Learn our Toyota Camry Hybrid Evaluate
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 continues 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 automotive’s heart 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. Which you could get it within the sportiest, extra luxurious XSE together with quite a lot of luxury- and sport-oriented “flavors” is icing on the cake. Importantly, it will probably get the identical gasoline economic system because the Prius whereas being a wildly extra refined and simply higher automotive.
Greatest luxurious hybrid vehicles
Lexus ES 300h
Professionals: 44 mpg from a big luxurious automotive is unprecedented; surprisingly good to drive; impeccable inside high quality
Cons: Annoying tech; gradual for a luxurious automotive; droning powertrain
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 44 mpg mixed
Lexus is actually the one luxurious automotive model that sells typical hybrids today, so the truth that it sweeps the rostrum right here shouldn’t be taken for something larger than it’s. Nonetheless, the ES 300h is a terrific luxurious automotive selection for these prioritizing gasoline economic system. Not solely does it present 44 mpg mixed, which is a sky-high quantity solely plug-in hybrids may beat, it is fairly a big luxurious automotive. Equally priced sedans are virtually all a lot smaller, which means as a price play, the Lexus ES 300h makes a variety of sense. Lexus’ superior reliability and resale worth reputations builds its case even additional. The down aspect is that the ES suffers from irritating infotainment controls and a powertrain that, whereas thrifty, is gradual and a bit unrefined for a luxurious automotive.
Lexus LC 500h
Professionals: Simply take a look at the factor; lovely inside; distinctive gasoline economic system for a luxurious GT
Cons: Hybrid energy supply can appear a bit bizarre in a automotive like this
EPA-Estimated Gasoline Financial system: 29 mpg mixed
Even when each luxurious automotive model offered a hybrid, there’s an excellent likelihood the LC 500h would nonetheless find yourself on this record. 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 wish to pull your hair out. Though the common LC 500’s 5.0-liter V8 will all the time maintain a particular place in our hearts, there is not any denying that the LC 500h and its 29 mpg mixed is a much more accountable selection — particularly for a automotive that is comfy and nice sufficient to legitimately drive every day or on lengthy highway journeys. The hybrid powertrain can be spectacular sufficient that it gained our 2018 Expertise of the 12 months award. That is as shut as you will get to a guilt-free luxurious GT.
Lexus LS 500h
Professionals: Distinctive and exquisitely made inside; extra participating to drive than you’d assume; distinctive gasoline economic system
Cons: Much less highly effective than different flagship luxurious sedans; much less refined infotainment
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 28 mpg mixed (RWD) or 26 mpg mixed (AWD)
Learn our Lexus LS 500h Evaluate
The Lexus LS way back obtained a popularity 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 take pleasure in driving the LS greater than most variations of the BMW 7 Collection (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’ gasoline economic system is not that a lot 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 will even be coping with Lexus reliability, and though the model’s design is not all the time for everybody, the LS typically seems extra athletic than its extra conservative, stately rivals. Its “Signature Spindle Grille” even appears delicate in comparison with the faces of the flagship BMW, Audi and Genesis sedans.
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