Hybrids were priced with a stiff premium when they first started proliferating about 10 years ago. These days, though, you can find a good selection for around $25,000 or less. The price we’re giving is the lowest trim level MSRP plus destination fee for each model.
The most well-known hybrid is still the best. You get a range of models to fit your lifestyle, about 50 miles to the gallon, cool digital controls, a roomy interior, and Toyota quality, which is still among the best despite a few dings in recent years. This car is so good that even with a redesign coming for the 2015 model year -- which is rumored to put an end to the unconventional shape that so enthralls Prius’ loyalists -- we’re confident giving it the top spot on this list.
Ford offers a lot in the C-Max Hybrid, starting with a punchy 198 horses in a car that still churns out 40 miles to the gallon. It’s also got quality materials and a refined ride, at least for a hybrid. But, it’s not quite as roomy (or as fuel-thrifty) as the Prius, and you’ll have to spend more to get some of the options you’ll probably want, keeping it out of the top spot.
If you’re looking for practicality and great mileage, at a reasonable price (at least for a hybrid), Civic Hybrid should be on your list. Interior room is decent and Honda quality is beyond reproach. Acceleration is uninspired, but the trade-off is stellar mileage of 44 city / 47 highway.
As a car, Sonata Hybrid is very nice; as a hybrid it’s mediocre. It does have generous standard features and a smooth ride, but real-world mileage of low to mid-30s is on the low end for hybrids. That said, to get a midsize hybrid as nice as Sonata with better mileage, you’d have to pay more. Since this list is about keeping price down, Sonata makes the cut.
Optima Hybrid has several standard features that are optional in other trim levels, including a navigation system and dual-zone climate controls. It doesn’t skimp on power, with 199 horses -- but its mileage of 35 city / 39 highway is about the same as the conventional Optima. The result is that choosing the hybrid upgrades your driving experience and not so much your carbon footprint, though Optima still shops well against other hybrids.
Hybrids aren’t all cut from the same cloth -- some automakers use the technology to make cars as eco-friendly as possible, some to blend comfort with fuel savings. Both are legitimate uses. The one that fits you best has a lot to do with what you’re looking for in a car.
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