12) 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
$37,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.3/10 | 43 mpg combined
For those searching for a large hybrid car, you won’t find a better choice than the Toyota Avalon Hybrid. In fact, it’s the only large hybrid car on the market today. While it’s the most expensive car on this list, it’s arguably worth every penny. We named the mechanically-similar 2019 Avalon Hybrid our 2019 Best Large Car for the Money award winner, which means it topped all non-hybrid large cars.
The nearly identical 2020 Avalon Hybrid features a silky ride, composed handling, an upscale cabin, spacious seats, and a sizable trunk. It also comes from a generation of vehicles that receive impressive safety and predicted reliability ratings.
Standard features in the 2020 Avalon Hybrid include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 9-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, five USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems.
11) 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid
$29,310 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10 | 42 mpg combined
The 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid features an attractive interior, plenty of legroom in both rows, and a welcome assortment of standard safety and convenience features. It comes equipped with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a responsive 8-inch touch screen, smartphone connectivity, and wireless device charging. It also earns excellent crash test ratings and includes a full complement of active safety systems.
The Optima Hybrid will cost you less to fuel than most non-hybrid vehicles, but it’s not as fuel-efficient as many other hybrid cars. In addition, this midsize car is short on trunk space and receives a below-average predicted reliability rating.
10) 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid
$28,400 | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10 | 52 mpg combined
Aside from its history of impeccable safety and predicted reliability ratings, the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid has much to offer. It secures a position at the top of our hybrid and electric car ranking thanks to its incredible fuel economy, lively powertrain, and exceptional cargo capacity. The Camry Hybrid also features a first-rate cabin, comfortable seats, and a quiet and agreeable ride.
The Camry Hybrid is pricier than most rivals, but it comes packed with standard niceties, such as heated front seats, a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. A wealth of advanced driver assistance technologies are included as well.
9) 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
$28,220 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10 | 46 mpg combined
The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid underwent a refresh for the 2019 model year. It received updated exterior styling, a new standard 8-inch driver information display, and a standard 8-inch touch screen that’s easy to use. The Malibu Hybrid also comes with a Wi-Fi hot spot, the latest smartphone connectivity features, and GM’s Teen Driver safety technology.
The Malibu Hybrid also offers peppy acceleration, great fuel economy, and balanced ride and handling. Five passengers will fit comfortably in its supportive seats, but its trunk is small and its cabin has some low-quality materials. This midsize car receives respectable crash test results and an average predicted reliability rating.
8) 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid
$28,000 | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10 | 42 mpg combined
The 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid receives praise for its sporty handling, solid array of standard features, and roomy and upmarket cabin. However, it lags behind competing models in terms of cargo space and fuel economy. The Fusion Hybrid delivers eager acceleration off-the-line, though it’s leisurely at highway speeds. It comes from a generation of cars that earn good safety scores and above-average ratings for predicted reliability.
Standard features in the Fusion Hybrid include an intuitive 8-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, smartphone app integration, Ford’s MyKey Teen Driver system, and the Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance aids.
7) 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
$25,750 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10 | 42 mpg combined
Much like the Fusion Hybrid, the redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s weaknesses include tepid acceleration at high speeds and unremarkable handling. However, this midsize car provides a high-quality cabin, spacious seats, confident handling, and an agreeable ride. The Sonata Hybrid also earns top-notch safety scores and an above-average predicted reliability rating.
The Sonata Hybrid comes equipped with a user-friendly 8-inch touch screen, smartphone connectivity, and a variety of safety systems, including lane keep assist, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
6) 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid
$25,620 | USN Overall Score: 8.4/10 | 48 mpg combined
The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid finishes in the second-place position in our hybrid and electric car ranking, just behind the Toyota Camry Hybrid. It excels due in part to its terrific gas mileage, respectable acceleration, spacious trunk, and roomy and handsome interior. Moreover, this midsize car comes from a generation of vehicles that earn exemplary crash test ratings. The Accord Hybrid isn’t perfect, though; it’s not as reliable or upscale as some competitors.
Standard features in the Accord Hybrid include a 7-inch display, automatic high-beam headlights, and the Honda Sensing suite of active safety technologies. If you want a touch-screen interface and smartphone app integration, you’ll have to step up one notch from the base model, which will cost you about $4,000.
5) 2020 Toyota Prius
$24,325 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | 56 mpg combined
It’s difficult to talk about fuel-efficient cars and not mention the Toyota Prius. In fact, this car essentially paved the way for today’s growing list of hybrid vehicles. The Prius is safe, reliable, well-equipped, and less expensive than many rivals. Additionally, the Prius offers loads of cargo space and two accommodating rows of supportive seats. It’s not going to wow you with its performance or interior design, but it’s practical and it gets the job done.
The base 2020 Prius features a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, a Wi-Fi hot spot, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning with steering assist. All-wheel drive is available, which can’t be said about any of the other hybrid cars mentioned here. Of course, this addition will reduce your fuel efficiency slightly.
4) 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
$23,100 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | 52 mpg combined
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an all-new vehicle for the 2020 model year. It boasts tremendous fuel economy, a low starting price, and a long list of standard equipment. It even won our 2020 Best Hybrid or Electric Car for the Money award. The Corolla Hybrid features a coddling ride, a nice cabin, sufficient passenger space, praiseworthy crash test results, and a perfect predicted reliability rating. However, its trunk is small, and it doesn’t deliver eager acceleration at highway speeds.
The Corolla Hybrid comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen, smartphone connectivity, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a navigation system, and multiple advanced driver assistance aids.
3) 2020 Hyundai Ioniq
$22,200 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10 | 58 mpg combined
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq is not only one of the cheapest hybrids on the market today, but also one of the most fuel-efficient hybrid cars available. It offers impressive cargo volume, lively off-the-line acceleration, and commendable safety and predicted reliability ratings. However, many rivals offer a smoother ride and better handling. The Ioniq’s interior is unique since it’s made up of recycled and environmentally friendly materials. The cabin yields roomy front seats and reasonable space in the back.
Standard features in the Ioniq include a 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. If you step up one level from the base trim, which adds about $2,500, you get many advanced driver assistance technologies.
2) 2020 Honda Insight
$22,930 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | 52 mpg combined
After several years off of the market, the Honda Insight returned as a redesigned hybrid compact car for the 2019 model year. In addition to its exceptional fuel economy, it provides decent rear-seat space and a large trunk for a small sedan. The Insight also features a high-quality cabin, a relaxed ride, confident handling, and sufficient acceleration, though it’s not as upscale or athletic as some classmates. To top it off, this Honda earns superb crash test scores and an above-average rating for predicted reliability.
The 2020 Insight is light on standard niceties, but it comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of active safety systems. You’ll have to step up from the base model to the EX trim if you want a touch-screen interface, smartphone connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hot spot, which will only cost you about $1,400 more.
1) 2019 Toyota Prius c
$21,530 | USN Overall Score: 7.3/10 | 46 mpg combined
While the 2019 Toyota Prius c is the least expensive hybrid car available today, it finishes at the bottom of our hybrid and electric car rankings. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad car, but its engine is weak and its interior isn’t fancy. Still, the Prius c is a worthy commuter, with good fuel economy, laudable predicted reliability, comfortable front seats, lots of cargo space, and fantastic maneuverability. In addition, it comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of advanced driver assistance aids.
The Prius c includes a decent assortment of niceties, such as a 6.1-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, voice recognition, Siri Eyes Free, and a USB port.
2019 marks the final model year for the Prius c.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Did you find a well-priced hybrid car on our list that fits your priorities? If you need to research further, check out our hybrid and electric car ranking. Then, visit our new financing deals and lease deals pages to see a long list of current manufacturer-sponsored incentives.
When you’ve found the right car for you, use the U.S. News Best Price Program to find a dealership near you with the lowest prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of over $3,000 off their new vehicle.
12 Cheapest Hybrid Cars on the Market in 2020
- 12) 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: $37,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.3/10 | 43 mpg combined
- 11) 2020 Kia Optima Hybrid: $29,310 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10 | 42 mpg combined
- 10) 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid: $28,400 | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10 | 52 mpg combined
- 9) 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: $28,220 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10 | 46 mpg combined
- 8) 2020 Ford Fusion Hybrid: $28,000 | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10 | 42 mpg combined
- 7) 2019 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: $25,750 | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10 | 42 mpg combined
- 6) 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid: $25,620 | USN Overall Score: 8.4/10 | 48 mpg combined
- 5) 2020 Toyota Prius: $24,325 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10 | 56 mpg combined
- 4) 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: $23,100 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | 52 mpg combined
- 3) 2019 Hyundai Ioniq: $22,400 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10 | 58 mpg combined
- 2) 2020 Honda Insight: $22,930 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10 | 52 mpg combined
- 1) 2019 Toyota Prius c: $21,530 | USN Overall Score: 7.3/10 | 46 mpg combined
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Which Hybrid Cars Are the Least (And Most) Expensive?
Hybrid cars are often more expensive than their traditional gas-powered counterparts, but they’ll save you money at the pump. Aside from burning less fuel and being more environmentally friendly, hybrid vehicles provide several advantages over non-hybrids.
Hybrids offer instant torque and regenerative braking, which sends energy back into the battery while helping to stop the car. Depending on how you drive, this could mean your hybrid’s regular friction brakes won’t wear out for a long time. Additionally, hybrids don’t idle like traditional cars, and they often allow you to use HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes even when you’re driving alone.
Due to inconsistent gas prices and the limited availability of hybrid vehicles, their resale value can be higher than that of non-hybrids. Lastly, since automakers charge a premium for hybrid vehicles, many come better-equipped than their traditional counterparts.
To help you make an educated buying decision, we’ve ranked every hybrid car available today, from the most expensive to the least expensive. The following pages contain information related to each hybrid car’s strengths, weaknesses, crash test results, predicted reliability rating, and standard features. In addition, we’ve included each hybrid’s U.S. News overall score and EPA combined city and highway fuel economy rating.
It’s important to note that we update our scores and rankings on a frequent basis as new data and expert research become available. So, the scores in this article may not match up with the scores in our rankings and individual vehicle reviews.
Continue reading for details about the cheapest hybrid cars in 2020.