With automakers doing their best to one-up each other on hybrid and electric vehicle production, more hybrid models are now available than ever. Various affordable hybrid options are perfect for those looking to switch from gas-powered cars. Here are seven hybrid vehicles that can be yours for less than $30,000.
1. Toyota Corolla Hybrid
2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
If you ever wished for a fuel-efficient Toyota hybrid, but the price tag was always too steep, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is perfect for you. Buying this hybrid sedan will only cost you $22,800.
Edmunds‘ expert rating grants the Corolla Hybrid high marks for its excellent fuel economy and thoughtfully designed interior. Under the hood, the Corolla Hybrid gets 134 hp from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid battery and electric motor.
All that power goes to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which helps this hybrid achieve an EPA-estimated 50/43/47 mpg city/highway/combined rating.
2. Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is another hybrid sedan that comes at a budget-friendly price. It offers two hybrid trim levels with an MSRP starting at $24,400. Distinct with its broad grille, sharply creased and faceted sheet metal, and distinctive LED lighting, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is sure to turn heads.
It features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a 32 kW electric motor and a six-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission to produce 139 horsepower. All trims come standard with front-wheel drive and achieve an EPA-estimated 54/50/52 mpg city/highway/combined.
3. Toyota Prius
When it comes to hybrid cars, the Toyota Prius is undoubtedly the most well-known. It’s often lauded for its unrivaled fuel economy and has become a status symbol in hybrid car culture. The 2022 Toyota Prius starts at $25,075 and is available in five trim levels: L Eco, LE, XLE, Limited, and Prime.
The Toyota Prius features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain and two electric motors that produce 96 hp at 5,200 rpm. It comes standard with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Its fuel-efficient powerplant scored an EPA-estimated 58/53/56 mpg city/highway/combined.
4. Honda Insight
The Honda Insight hybrid is a sleek hybrid sedan that rivals the Toyota Prius in terms of efficiency and style. This hybrid vehicle starts at $26,205 and comes in two trim levels. Powering the Honda Insight is a hybrid powertrain comprised of a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor and a pack of lithium-ion batteries.
The hybrid powertrain produces 151 horsepower sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The powertrain accelerates the Insight from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Unlike other hybrid cars with a battery pack mounted under the rear seat, the Insight’s battery is located beneath the trunk floor, which doesn’t eat into cargo space.
6. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
When fuel economy and affordability are your top concerns, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is an excellent choice. It comes with a starting MSRP of $27,950 and a hybrid powertrain that produces 193 hp.
The hybrid powerplant consists of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a high-capacity lithium-ion hybrid battery system for improved fuel economy. The hybrid system pairs a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.
The Sonata Hybrid comes standard with front-wheel drive and gets an EPA-estimated rating of 54/50/52 mpg city/highway/combined.
7. Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is the hybrid version of America’s best-selling midsize sedan. It has a strong reputation for reliability, comfort, and fuel efficiency, with the hybrid variant starting at $28,080.
Under the hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine paired with an electric motor to produce 208 horsepower. Although some competitors boast more hp, the Camry Hybrid’s powertrain is refined and feels peppy.
The Camry Hybrid comes standard with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission. It has an EPA-estimated rating of 51/53/52 mpg city/highway/combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the road.