Let’s face it: Gas is already expensive enough, even when prices aren’t actively rising. As a result, perhaps you’ve been considering buying an electric vehicle (EV), but factors including range, price, and charging access may still be a concern. You may have also heard of plug-in hybrids (PHEV), which, as the name suggests, come with an engine and a battery you can plug in that allows for limited all-electric driving. But if you don’t have access to charging at your home or apartment, a PHEV may not make much sense, either.
That’s where a traditional hybrid comes in. In simple terms, a hybrid uses a small battery and an electric motor or motors to primarily aid with low-speed, stop-and-go driving (think dense urban areas and city streets) and assist the internal combustion engine in other situations. While most people are familiar with the Toyota Prius (and it is a gold-standard hybrid), there are plenty of other high-mileage options out there. Better yet, they span multiple automakers and body styles. Here are five great options that aren’t the Toyota Prius that are worth considering if you’re shopping for a hybrid.
1) Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | 51/58/54 city/highway/combined mpg
If you’re looking for an attractive sedan in the same general segment as the Prius, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is a strong alternative. It’s right there with the Prius in fuel economy and ranks high on our list of the top compact hybrid sedans. Pricing is also competitive, starting at $26,695 for the highest-mileage Blue trim and rising to $31,045 for the Limited.
Read Our Experts’ Full Review of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
2) Toyota Camry FWD | 52/49/51 mpg
Now that the Toyota Camry is hybrid-only, buyers can get a spacious electrified sedan with either front- or all-wheel drive. But if maximum fuel economy is your priority, front-wheel drive is the way to go. Fortunately, you won’t be sacrificing much. The Camry has become an even better car in hybrid form, and as a result, it’s ranked No. 1 on our list of hybrid midsize sedans. Its standard hybrid system produces roughly as much power as the old V-6 models while delivering fuel economy closer to that of much smaller vehicles. Pricing is also competitive for a midsize sedan, with the LE FWD starting at $30,495, while the XSE FWD climbs to $37,870. Adding all-wheel drive costs an additional $1,525.
Read Our Experts’ Full Review of the Toyota Camry
3) Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 47/56/51 mpg
If you want a midsize hybrid sedan but would prefer not to buy a Toyota, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is an appealing alternative. Its fuel economy doesn’t quite match the Camry Hybrid FWD, but it comes close and bests it handily on the highway. The Sonata Hybrid also delivers a comfortable, refined driving experience and can be equipped with plenty of features. The base Blue trim starts at $30,445 ($50 less than the Camry at present prices), while the top Limited Hybrid starts at $39,495, which is $1,625 more than the Camry Hybrid XSE FWD. One downside: The Sonata Hybrid isn’t available with all-wheel drive.
Read Our Experts’ Full Review of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
4) Toyota Corolla Hybrid | 53/46/50 mpg
If you want something close to the Prius in size while staying within the Toyota family, then the Corolla Hybrid is your best option. Like the Prius and the midsize Camry, the Corolla Hybrid offers all-wheel drive as a $1,400 option on all trims. And while the Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan ranks higher in our rankings, it doesn’t match the Toyota’s fuel economy. The Civic is rated at 50/47/49 mpg and offers up to 519 miles of range. By comparison, the Corolla Hybrid FWD is rated at 53/46/50 mpg and can travel up to 565 miles, due in part to a slightly larger fuel tank.
The Corolla Hybrid also undercuts the Civic Hybrid on price. The Corolla Hybrid LE FWD starts at $26,170, which is $4,420 less than the Honda. Meanwhile, the Corolla Hybrid XLE FWD starts at $30,535, roughly $3,000 less than the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid. And unlike the Corolla, the Civic Hybrid sedan doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.
Read Our Experts’ Full Review of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid
5) Kia Niro Hybrid | 53/54/53 mpg
If you need nearly as much cargo space as the Prius hatchback offers, the Kia Niro Hybrid is a great choice. With 22.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row, it’s just a cubic foot short of the Prius. As a bonus, this subcompact hybrid SUV still returns more than 50 mpg combined, trailing the Toyota by just 4 mpg in the city and combined and by only 2 mpg on the highway. It’s also reasonably priced, starting at $28,885 for the LX and reaching $37,285 for the SX Touring at the high end.
Read Our Experts’ Full Review of the Kia Niro Hybrid
