7 Hybrid Vehicles the Middle Class Can Actually Afford
If you’re not ready to go fully electric but you want to drive as many miles as possible between visits to the pump, you might be in the market for a hybrid. Unlike the electric vehicle market, which features a few relatively affordable models for under $35,000, there are more than half a dozen hybrids that start in the $20,000s.
The best performers get more than 50 miles to the gallon and have MSRPs that aren’t much higher than the sticker prices on comparable gas-powered vehicles. Hybrid drivers save money on fuel, burn less gas and reduce their carbon output without worrying about searching for charging stations or giving up the familiarity and security of an engine that runs on gas.
The following seven hybrids are the cheapest on the market, and with all of them coming in at less than $29,000, they’re within the reach of most middle-class families willing to invest a little more upfront for lower long-term ownership costs.
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Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $23,500
The hybrid version of the bestselling car of all time costs under $1,500 more than the standard Toyota Corolla, making it the cheapest hybrid on the market — but it delivers a combined 50 mpg compared with 35 mpg for the standard ICE version. With a national average gas price of $3.60 per gallon, you won’t have to drive too far before that $1,500 comes back to you.
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Ford Maverick Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $25,420
The Maverick was already a fuel-efficient vehicle — particularly for a pickup — thanks to its standard Ford EcoBoost engine. However, with a hybrid powertrain available across all trims, its fuel economy rises from a maximum of 29 mpg to 42 mpg.
It starts at $23,920, but even with the $1,500 hybrid upgrade, it’s still the cheapest pickup on the market — it beats the gas-powered Hyundai Santa Cruz and Chevy Colorado by thousands — and the No. 2 most affordable hybrid overall.
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Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $26,250
Not only does the hybrid version of Hyundai’s most popular compact sedan get an impressive 54 combined mpg, but it comes with the automaker’s famous 10-year/100,000-mile limited warranty.
The sleek and curvy car generates a capable 139 combined horsepower and 195 pound-feet of combined torque. A 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touchscreen display are among the above-class tech features that come standard. Compared with the ICE Elantra’s $21,625 starting MSRP, Hyundai’s jump to hybrid is a more expensive upgrade than the previous two models, but it’s still one of the most affordable cars on the road.
Kia Niro Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $26,940
Like the comparably priced Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, the Kia Niro Hybrid comes with an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile limited warranty and gets a combined 54 mpg, so you can go further than most hybrids between trips to the gas station.
The subcompact crossover SUV offers driver-centric dual displays and an impressive 13 standard driver-assist features, including forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision warning, lane-follow assist and rear cross-traffic collision assist. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version that starts at $34,390.
Toyota Prius
Starting MSRP: $27,950
The oldest and most famous name in hybrid vehicles, the Toyota Prius brought the gas-battery powertrain to the mainstream in the 1990s and has never lost its edge. The Prius earned the title of MotorTrend’s 2024 Car of the Year. It can get up to 57 mpg, and its 2-liter, four-cylinder hybrid engine generates a capable 194 horsepower in the front-wheel drive layout and 196 with the all-wheel drive option.
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Toyota Camry Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $28,885
Larger and more powerful than the Corolla, the Camry delivers the same legendary Toyota dependability and gets an even better 52 mpg combined than its smaller cousin. Standard features included 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start and four driving modes. The four-cylinder hybrid engine delivers 208 net horsepower — more than enough for the morning commute or a long-distance weekend drive.
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Starting MSRP: $28,590
A crossover SUV that seats five, the Kia Sportage Hybrid boasts class-leading cargo room, second-row legroom and a best-in-class 227 horsepower turbo hybrid powertrain, making it the roomiest and most powerful vehicle on the list. Like the Niro, it covers drivers with a 10-year/100,000-mile limited warranty.
Standard features include all-wheel drive, panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays with navigation, 18-inch matte gray alloy wheels, 360-degree surround view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.
Photo Disclaimer: Please note some photos are for illustrative purposes only and might not feature exact models, base models or the cars’ specific trim levels. As a result, some of the cars in the photos might have different MSRPs than the ones listed in this article.
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