What’s The Best Hybrid Car
The best hybrid car on sale today depends on your requirements. If you’re looking for an urban runaround, both the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris are excellent hybrid cars that represent good value for money and will be very cheap to run. For buyers needing more space, look at the bigger Toyota Corolla or SUVs like the Ford Kuga. Otherwise, the BMW 5 Series has to be one of the best hybrid cars available today.
Q What Is The Best Hybrid Car For The Money
A. If youre buying a new hybrid, and we cant believe were saying this, but the Toyota Prius is a helluva deal. And the man responsible for tuning its suspension has an 800 horsepower drift Supra, ensuring that it’s actually pretty lively to boot. If youre looking for a used deal, the BMW i3 is great, funky, and reasonably priced.
Pricing Of The 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
For what is being offered, the price point leaves a few things to be desired. Unlike many competing hybrid cars, even several on our list, there is no full-electric vehicle mode for this hybrid. With this, many options provide the ability to switch pure-electric drive on and off. With the Malibu, you cant. Yet, it still comes at a price point starting at a touch under $30,000. This makes it one of the more expensive entry-level hybrid sedans on the market. However, there is the benefit of advanced technology that some competitors cant touch.
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What’s Better: A Hybrid Or Plug
Whether a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid is best for you depends on the driving you do and your circumstances. A hybrid makes sense if youre looking for an economical city car, their ability to blend petrol/diesel and electric power makes them good on fuel in town where a normal car is at its least efficient.
If you have somewhere to charge a PHEV, their ability to run for short distances on electricity alone could save you a fortune if you have a short commute, although theyre usually more expensive to buy than a normal hybrid. Read our guide to hybrid vs PHEV.
Pricing Of The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
2020 model year Pacifica hybrids dont come out of the box with any significant changes over prior model year options, except for a significant and noticeable price reduction. However, its price point of between $40,000 and $45,000 for base models dont provide enough of an advantage to consider it inexpensive by any means for a minivan.
Helping out a bit is a $7,500 federal tax credit for new hybrid owners, though, making it something to consider. But whether or not the increased hybrid cost compared to their conventional alternatives is worth the savings in fuel costs over the long run is currently still up for debate.
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Q So Which Car Brands Last The Longest
A. As weve stated, thats somewhat hard to discern, but Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Acura, Lexus, and Ford all have reputations for dependability. There are some vehicles that are known to outlast others, i.e. the OG Toyota Land Cruiser, however, most car makers now offer consistent reliability and longevity.
Hybrid Cars Come In What Body Styles
Originally, hybrids were odd-looking vehicles that optimized aerodynamics for maximum efficiency. That’s no longer the case. You now have compact cars like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Honda Insight, which both look like typical sedans. If you need something larger, midsize sedans, such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata, all have excellent fuel economy in hybrid variants while offering similar or more power than their base gas engines.
Compact SUVs have also started getting hybrid powertrains. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid blend excellent fuel economy and practicality in a single package. On the larger end, the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander are two mainstream three-row SUVs available with hybrid powertrains.
There are more hybrid choices in the luxury segment. Lexus, for instance, has everything from the subcompact UX 250h SUV to the luxurious LS 500h sedan. BMW sells PHEV versions of the 3 Series, 5 Series, and X3. Volvo offers a T8-branded plug-in on everything except the V90 and XC40, the latter of which is getting a full-electric model. Acura, on the other hand, uses a hybrid powertrain in the NSX sports car, giving it impeccable performance.
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Best Hybrid Cars Under $40000
Todays hybrid landscape is more diverse than ever before. In the past, if you wanted to drive a hybrid to save gas, your choice was almost always a sedan or hatchback. Now there are hybrids that represent all vehicle types, especially those most adept at moving people SUVs and minivans.
Over the past few years, the leaps in battery technology have trickled down to hybrids as well, delivering great fuel efficiency and a seamless drive experience. Here are our favorites that slide right under the $40,000 mark.
Looking for a more affordable hybrid? Check out our list of the 10 Best Hybrid Cars Under $30,000.
Volvo V90 Recharge T6
Volvo’s history of offering its estate cars with a plug-in hybrid powertrain stretches back further than most in the business, but the recent V90 Recharge T6 is without doubt its most successful attempt at the recipe, and an outstanding all-rounder.
The car has a modest 11.6kWh battery pack, which means that right now some rivals will go further on electric power alone although a revised model will very soon come with a much larger drive battery pushing electric range beyond 50 miles. With 335bhp all in, the current version clearly isn’t the most powerful PHEV that Volvo has made either. But the V90 T6 does offer usable zero-emission range and, when you need, more than enough performance. Another advantage the V90 T6 holds in the PHEV arena is that you can buy it with four-wheel drive, which isn’t true of some rivals from the premium German brands.
The Skoda Superb iV may be less expensive and every bit as spacious inside, but it lacks the Volvo’s calling-card rich cabin ambience and its supremely relaxing rolling character. This is how a big Volvo should feel: refined, absorbent, mature and brilliantly versatile to simple use.
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Can Hybrids Really Save You Money
The amount you drive determines whether a hybrid can save you money. Where you commute also matters because hybrids excel in congested areas where the gas engine stays off more often. Consumers with shorter commutes or ones who don’t drive as much might not see much advantage in a hybrid because of how long it takes to make back the extra cost over a gas-only car. A plug-in hybrid may be the better option for those with short commutes because you can drive mainly in EV mode and only use the gas engine on longer trips or when charging isn’t convenient.
Go here to use the EPA’s fuel-savings calculator to see how long it might take for a hybrid to save you money.
Variations On The Hybrid Theme
Twenty years of advancement is making it even more complicated to answer “what is a hybrid?” Honda’s new hybrid design, for instance, doesn’t fall neatly into the series or parallel bucket. In this design, the engine turns a generator most of the time, like a series hybrid, but at other times, the engine can also directly drive the wheels, like a parallel hybrid. Then there are the so-called through-the-road hybrids, like the plug-in hybrids from Volvo that use a fairly conventional front-wheel-drive engine and transmission paired with an electrically powered rear axle. The Acura NSX, BMW i8, and Porsche 918 Spyder supercars are similar, except their electric-only axles are at the front.
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Pricing Of The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid
The latest Honda Accord hybrid option provides an incredibly strong fuel economy compared to alternative options in its class. Despite this strong fuel economy, the hybrid offers some impressive power numbers, driving handling dynamics, and extensive roominess in the back seats and cargo area. With these technological advancements and stylish and comfortable interior, this comes at a starting sticker price of $25,000. This price point is peanuts for a starting price compared to some of the above alternatives.
How Do Hybrid Cars Work
Exactly how the two power sources work together depends on the individual car manufacturer. While they all have different ways of blending the two, the basic idea remains the same when conditions allow, electric motors will replace or work with the engine to provide drive the car. The reduced load on the engine means it uses much less fuel.Hybrid cars have packs of batteries that power the electric motor. These batteries are recharged by the combustion engine as you drive along. Braking also helps recharge the batteries as you drive.
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About Hybrid Suvs With 3rd Rows
Hybrid components such as batteries and cooling arrays consume a lot of space under the car, so it’s remarkable when designers and engineers develop systems that don’t compromise interior packaging. The Acura MDX Sport Hybrid and the Lexus RX 450hL are case studies in how to do it right. Both seat seven passengers, making them ideal for larger families that require a fuel-efficient solution.
The American Icon: 2020 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The decades-old and ever-faithful Chevy Malibu is currently in its ninth generation, last updated in the 2019 model year. What this means is that, for 2020, the Malibu styling will carry over from the previous year. The ninth-generation Malibu started in 2015, though, so we are of the assumption that a significant redesign will likely be on the blocks for either 2021 or 2022 for Chevys flagship mid-size sedan offering.
The Malibu hybrid is a relatively new player to the scene. They appeared initially in this current ninth-generation run. However, they have become incredibly competitive in the segment in which they compete. This, honestly, can be surprising in a world of low-priced Asia-manufactured sedans.
Believe it or not, this current generation Chevy Malibu is one of the stronger family-size sedans, powertrain aside. It looks great, the technology is fresh and sophisticated, the price is right, and it has incredibly roomy cargo and back seat passenger space. Whats not to love?
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Volkswagen Passat Gte Estate
Volkswagen recently treated the plug-in Passat to a host of updates, including a longer all-electric range. Plus, it’s quiet at all speeds, has lots of passenger space and is available in an estate bodystyle that gives it a very practical boot. The batteries do take up the spare wheel well, though.
The Best Hybrid Performance Car: Porsche Panamera 4 E
Why you should buy this: It provides a rare blend of efficiency and all-around performance.
Whos it for: People who want a high-end sports sedan without the high CO2 emissions.
How much will it cost: $103,800+
Why we picked the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid:
Offered as a sedan and a wagon, Porsches Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is a multitasker. First, its positioned near the middle of the Panamera hierarchy. Its more powerful than the base car and more affordable than either of the high-zoot Turbo models. Second, its also a plug-in hybrid capable of Porsche-like performance one minute and zero-emissions driving the next. Going from one mode to the other requires only a simple push of a button.
The E-Hybrids swoopy sheet metal hides a twin-turbocharged, 2.9-liter V6 engine that works with an electric motor linked to a 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The total output checks in at a V8-like 457 horsepower, but the motor can power the Panamera on its own for relatively short distances. You can run errands without burning gas.
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Power And Fuel Economy Of The 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid
Both the plug-in variant and conventional hybrid 2020 Kia Optima draw their power from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor combined unit. This echoes the combination in the Hyundai Sonata above. The main difference between the two levels of Optima is the battery pack capacity. The conventional hybrid has a 1.62 kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, where the plug-in hybrid option comes with a far more heavy-duty 9.8 kWh battery pack. Overall, the Optima Hybrid will generate 192 horsepower, and the plug-in model pushes that to 202 horsepower.
Power And Fuel Economy Of The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid
The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid comes with a powertrain that is very similar to comparable Toyotas. The Honda Accord also utilizes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The engine, while having a smaller displacement, manages to provide a bit more combined horsepower than competitors. This is thanks to a slightly more powerful electric motor offering. The total is about 212 horsepower, which is a touch more than their main competitor, the Toyota Camry.
Regardless of a more powerful engine set, the Accord Hybrid still provides an impressive 47 miles per gallon average. This is right on par with the below reviewed Toyota Camry Hybrid but comes at a $5,000 discount.
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Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Blue
Starting Price: $34,835Fuel Economy: 34 mpg combined
The Hyundai Santa Fe is larger than a compact SUV, with the safety, versatility, and features SUV buyers are looking for. For 2021, the Santa Fe received a significant refresh that brought new styling, a more upscale interior, and impressive new technology. With this refresh, Hyundai introduced a hybrid version of the Santa Fe, offered as the Hybrid Blue or a Hybrid. The Hybrids are set to go on sale later this spring. The Hybrid Blue has the higher fuel economy of the two, netting 34 mpg combined. Its also the most affordable, starting at less than $35,000. See Hyundai Santa Fe models for sale near you
Starting Price: $34,765Fuel Economy: 37 mpg combined
There are limited choices for 3-row hybrid SUVs. However, the new Kia Sorento Hybrid occupies a nice spot as a smaller midsize crossover with room for six people. The Sorento can travel over 650 miles on a tank, which makes this a great road trip vehicle. Downside? All-wheel drive isnt an option on the hybrid. But the hybrids 227 system horsepower delivers reasonably quick acceleration, which makes it fun to drive compared to most hybrids. And every model includes a pair of comfortable captains chairs for the second row a nice standard feature. See Kia Sorento models for sale near you
Starting Price: $33,645Fuel Economy: 39 mpg combined
Starting Price: $31,735Fuel Economy: 38 mpg combined
Starting Price: $35,635Fuel Economy: 36 mpg combined
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue
Starting Price: $24,545Fuel Economy: 54 mpg combined
The new 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a standout in the compact class, winning the 2021 North American Car of the Year. Its also Kelley Blue Books Compact Car Best Buy for 2021. The responsive chassis, roomy interior, and leading-edge electronics like the optional dual 10.25-inch screens are part of the Elantra Hybrid, too. The one to get for hyper-milers is the lighter-weight Blue model that delivers a stunning 54 mpg combined. The plusher Limited models have more features and return 50 mpg combined. Thats a significant drop but still very competitive for the class. See Hyundai Elantra models for sale near you
Starting Price: $27,325Fuel Economy: 48 mpg combined
The Accord is the hybrid sedan for those that enjoy driving. The Accord has long been known as one of the most rewarding to drive midsize sedans. And thats true of the hybrid as well. Honda has improved the Hybrid this year with better throttle response and an acceleration curve that feels more like a conventional sedan. The Accord has earned the highest safety score Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Downside? The fuel economy is a few ticks below its rival, the Camry Hybrid. See Honda Accord models for sale near you
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Volvo Xc90 Recharge T8
Genuinely usable seven-seat cabins are few and far between, and ones with plug-in hybrid powertrains even more so. Volvos largest SUV manages both, with a fantastic blend of spaciousness, styling, cabin ambience and engine efficiency, beyond what youd expect from a vehicle of its size.
It can travel just over 30 miles on electric power alone so falls into the 11% BIK bracket, meaning it isnt quite as tax-efficient as plug-in versions of the BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE. That said, it still has plenty of surprisingly classic ‘big Volvo’ ownership appeal.
The Best Hybrid Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Why you should buy this: Comfortable, efficient, and handsome, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is without fault.
Whos it for: Bustling families with a need for maximum cargo and passenger volume.
How much will it cost: $39,995+
Why we picked the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid:
While the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid could earn a spot on this list simply for being the only hybrid minivan on the market, though one from Toyota is around the corner, thats not the reason weve included it. Rather, we fell in love with this people-mover for its blend of handsome styling, innovative features, impressive versatility, comfortable ride, and driving dynamics .
The Pacifica Hybrid does all the things customers demand of a minivan. It carries up to eight passengers, offers creative interior storage options, bundles front and rear entertainment systems, and rides smoothly. Beyond these check boxes, the Chrysler van uses its plug-in hybrid powertrain to deliver 32 miles of all-electric range and 500-plus miles of gas-electric range. And, it doesnt bore you to death with its exterior styling, power, or handling.
While its price may seem high at first glance, when you break down all the features, its one heck of a deal. We wouldnt just pick the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid over any other minivan wed seriously consider it over some of the better midsize SUVs.
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