10 MOST AFFORDABLE HYBRID VEHICLES WITH OVER 500 MILES OF OVERALL DRIVING RANGE

In 1997, the Toyota Prius catapulted the automotive world down a road of increased driving range and reduced fuel consumption, but you had to pay the price to get that. Today, it’s rare to have a hybrid vehicle that can’t go at least 500 miles, and there are all kinds of hybrids from all companies at a variety of prices.

Hybrid powertrains are quickly becoming the norm for vehicle propulsion, and the unaided internal combustion engine may soon become a thing of the past. As economies of scale take over in powertrain system production, overall vehicle prices are dropping to the point that only inflation factors into price increases.

Today’s Prius is still the face of the hybrid class, and it’s taken on iconic status that has elevated it to the status of generic segment branding, such as Jeep did for off-road sport utilities, and Kleenex did for facial tissues. But, the Prius is no longer the leader when it comes to pricing, and has nearly dropped out of the top 10 least expensive hybrid vehicles. If you're on the lookout for an inexpensive new hybrid vehicle you can buy that offers over 500 miles of range, these are your best bets.

2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 565 Miles

Priced From $23,500

How do you improve one of the top sellers in automotive history? In the case of the Toyota Corolla, you grant it the ability to go over 550 miles on a fill-up. Introduced in 1966, Toyota welcomed a hybrid version of the Corolla in 2020, making it even more practical, while retaining its low price-point, keeping it one of the most value-packed cars on the planet.

Performance Specifications

The Corolla Hybrid is the least expensive hybrid on the market, with a 500-mile range, featuring a combination of one of Toyota’s most efficient small engines and a couple of electric motors to offer Corolla the boost to allow it to keep up with traffic, while using little gasoline.

Pros

• Cheap to purchase; cheap to run
• Full suite of safety features
• Impressive fuel efficiency

Cons

• Tight rear seat
• Powertrain geared to efficiency over performance

2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid: 511 Miles

Priced From $25,420

In 2022, Ford brought back the Maverick nameplate but affixed it to a compact pickup. The initial offerings used two powertrains – the base front-wheel-drive version used a hybrid 2.5-liter four-cylinder that made the Ford Maverick the least expensive American hybrid. That’s been moved up in the model range and a 2.0 Ecoboost “four” is now the base engine.

Performance Specifications

A refreshed 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid is coming, which will pair an optional all-wheel drivetrain to the hybrid powertrain, but for now, the Maverick Hybrid is only available in front-wheel drive. Available at any trim level, it’s not a powerful option for a pickup, but will suit customers who want a pickup that can skimp on fuel.

Pros

• Impressive fuel efficiency for a pickup
• Great starting price
• Urban-friendly dimensions for a pickup

Cons

• Limited towing capacity
• Limited interior space
• Choppy pickup ride

2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue: 670 Miles

Priced From $26,250

The Hyundai Elantra epitomizes the historical transformation of Hyundai from a cheap alternative to Japanese vehicles to a market leader in design and engineering. The Elantra joined the Hyundai stable in 1990 and is now one of the premier compacts on the market, and a sophisticated hybrid that represents one of the best values in any segment.

Performance Specifications

The combined horsepower of the Elantra Hybrid Blue powertrain is not earth-shaking, but the torque instantaneously provided by the electric assist helps move the hybrid compact sedan off the line smartly. Though the tiny engine doesn’t sustain acceleration, it returns better fuel economy and range than both the Corolla and the Civic.

Pros

• Impressive fuel efficiency
• Comprehensive suite of driving aids
• Stylish presentation

Cons

• Not powerful
• Interior presentation

2024 Kia Niro Hybrid: 588 Miles

Priced From $26,940

The 2024 Kia Niro is all about eco-consciousness, and is a great example of how far hybrids have evolved style-wise from the quirkiness of the original Toyota Prius. Introduced in 2016, the Niro was Kia's first all-original hybrid, blending crossover versatility with hybrid efficiency, and today fields an extensive hybrid line-up.

Performance Specifications

Under the hood, the 2024 Niro Hybrid uses the same hybrid powertrain as the Elantra you read about above, showing the versatility of the system in powering two vastly different vehicles. Although minimally less efficient than Elantra, the Niro Hybrid is the least expensive crossover on the market, excelling in around-town errand running.

Pros

• Almost second-to-none fuel efficiency
• Practical and stylish
• Affordability

Cons

• Limited power
• Ho-hum acceleration
• No all-wheel drive

2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: 620 Miles

Priced From $27,500

Since its beginnings in 1988, the Hyundai Sonata has been representative of the Korean maker’s commitment to the American market, with localized production and a cost-effective vehicle that would grow to become one of the segment leaders. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came along in 2011 to further goals of growth and sustainability.

Performance Specifications

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s powertrain is a marvel of engineering and matches up almost exactly with the Toyota Prius, which is not at all a bad thing, though it falls short of the performance of the Toyota Camry (but outdoes it on the economy). It does have the advantage over the others with its 6-speed automatic transmission to better utilize power outputs.

Pros

• Decent fuel economy
• Solar roof
• Value-packed

Cons

• Ride and handling
• Seating comfort

2024 Toyota Prius: 644 Miles

Priced From $27,950

You can’t have any discussion about hybrids without including the Toyota Prius, the car that started the mass-produced hybrid movement back in 1997. Although initially ridiculed for looking quite odd, it nonetheless delivered over 500 miles of range, which was unheard of at the time, especially from a 1.5-liter engine.

Performance Specifications

The Prius launched the hybrid movement and continues to shape it. It’s still the yardstick against which others measure themselves, and its range and efficiency are still heads above the increasingly crowded field. And, then there’s the experience that it lends to its stablemates, helping Toyota deliver increasingly efficient hybrid powertrains to its global brands.

Pros

• Legendary status
• Cutting-edge hybrid technology
• Unmatched efficiency

Cons

• Cargo space
• Not calibrated for performance

2025 Toyota Camry: 663 Miles

Priced From $28,400

When Toyota inserted the Camry into the mid-sized market back in the 1980s, it wanted to prove that smaller sedans could have an impact in North America, swaying buyer perceptions about family sedans. The Toyota Camry has become one of the perennial best sellers in North America and for 2025, Toyota has decided to only offer it with a hybrid powertrain.

Performance Specifications

The Toyota hybrid synergy system has come a long way since its introduction in the Prius in 1997, and today is arguably the best in the world, with its flexibility to adapt to various vehicles in Toyota and Lexus showrooms, and outside the company. Toyota is making it the only powertrain to power the incoming 2025 Camry, primarily to hold on to its ICE.

Pros

• Available AWD
• Fuel efficiency
• Spacious cabin

Cons

• Elimination of V6 engine
• Mediocre performance

2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid: 589 Miles

Priced From $28,590

The Kia Sportage is not a new vehicle, actually beating the Toyota RAV4 to production in 1993, though not to market, starting deliveries in 1995. Early Sportages were compact and rugged, and over the decades, the Sportage has developed into a stylish, refined crossover with a reputation for reliability and value. The Sportage Hybrid debuted in 2023.

Performance Specifications

Under the hood, the Sportage Hybrid houses a turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine used in other Hyundai/Kia compact hybrids. In this iteration, it makes the top horsepower in its class while still offering decent economy (though lower than competitors). Sportage is one of the most valuable crossovers around, and the least expensive hybrid SUV that combines AWD and a 500-mile range.

Pros

• Performance
• Advanced Safety Features
• Spacious Interior

Cons

• Reduced cargo space
• Compromised fuel economy
• Polarizing exterior design

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid: 519 Miles

Priced From $28,750

The Honda Civic Hybrid was introduced in 2003, as the first mainstream car to be hybridized (to that point, hybrids had been unique models, like the Prius and Honda’s own Insight). It was also the first car certified by CARB as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle.

Performance Specifications

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid is widely praised for its ride and handling, which is uncommon for a small car, especially a sport compact, but has been a common Civic characteristic for several generations. The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid’s ample power and better-than-expected fuel economy are great reasons for considering this hybrid, and the Civic name helps too.

Pros

• Brand recognition
• Sporty manners
• Airy interior

Cons

• Pricey
• Louder than expected cabin
• Tight rear seating

2024 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 566 Miles

Priced From $31,725

The Toyota RAV4 was the first to do a lot of things – it started the compact SUV segment in 1994, it laid the groundwork for hybrid AWD powertrains in 2016, and before that, it even helped other companies' SUVs get hybridization. As it leads the charge to SUV electrification, it’s recognized as the most reliable Japanese PHEV SUV.

Performance Specifications

Although it pioneered the pavement-particular compact SUV, the Toyota RAV4 is well known for its off-road worthiness, and has earned widespread praise for its combination of a hybrid powertrain, off-road ability, and affordability, thanks to a healthy eight inches of ground clearance, and ample low-end torque to get it up fairly steep inclines.

Pros

• Excellent efficiency for an SUV
• Standard AWD, unlike rivals
• Roomy interior

Cons

• Lot of exterior noise in the cabin
• Utilitarian seating

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