Jump Menu: Best MPG Hybrids | Best MPG Plug-In Hybrids
Gas prices remain high. You're probably still paying more at the pump recently than you have in the past few years. With that in mind, now might be the perfect time to turn in your normal gas-powered car for something a bit more efficient. Electric vehicles are the obvious choice if you want to rid yourself of fuel costs entirely, but there are also a number of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options on the market today if you’re not ready to make the EV switch.
Traditional hybrids have been around for years, combining a small gas engine with a small battery pack and electric motor to improve the overall range of your car without necessitating a plug. Plug-in hybrids, as the name suggests, come with a bigger battery pack and external electric charging – but with that, PHEVs can drive a certain distance on battery power alone before the gas engine kicks in.
Either way, these two vehicle types offer much better mileage than, say, what a gas-only Honda Civic or Toyota Camry might be getting already. We've picked 20 of the most efficient – 10 hybrids and 10 plug-ins – that should help you save at the pump.
Best MPG Hybrids
Toyota Prius
Fuel Economy: 57 City / 56 Highway / 57 Combined
Total Range: 644 Miles
Starting Price: $28,545
Think about a hybrid vehicle, and the Toyota Prius might be the first one to come to mind. For the 2023 model year, the fifth-generation hybrid introduces sporty exterior styling and powertrain upgrades. If efficiency is paramount, then there’s the front-wheel-drive configuration. The all-wheel-drive model adds some extra traction for buyers who live in places where the roads get slick.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue
Fuel Economy: 53 City / 54 Highway / 56 Combined
Total Range: 594 Miles
Starting Price: $25,665
Hyundai uses its Blue branding for models with a focus on efficiency, and the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue is the most efficient trim of the bunch. It emphasizes fuel economy with 15-inch wheels, low-rolling-resistance tires, and active grille shutters to maximize the vehicle’s efficiency. It’s also less expensive than the more luxurious Limited trim level, starting at $25,665.
Kia Niro
Fuel Economy: 53 City / 54 Highway / 53 Combined
Total Range: 588 Miles
Starting Price: $27,915
While also available in both plug-in-hybrid and fully electric variants, the standard hybrid version of the 2023 Kia Niro is quite an efficient crossover. With a 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a transmission-mounted electric motor, some trim levels provide combined fuel economy as high as 53 mpg combined.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue
Fuel Economy: 50 City / 54 Highway / 52 Combined
Total Range: 686 Miles
Starting Price: $29,365
Like the Elantra, the Sonata Hybrid Blue emphasizes fuel economy more than any other trim with smaller wheels and low-rolling-resistance tires. In addition to the impressive fuel economy, this variant of the Sonata has an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and advanced driver assistance tech that includes adaptive cruise control.
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE
Fuel Economy: 51 City / 53 Highway / 52 Combined
Total Range: 686 Miles
Starting Price: $29,450
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is most efficient in the base LE trim, where it returns 52 mpg combined and can cover 686 miles without refueling while also offering space for four adults and a sizable trunk. But while it's the thriftiest member of the Camry line, there are also sportier or more lavishly equipped Camry Hybrid trims available that don't give up much at the pump.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 53 City / 46 Highway / 50 Combined
Total Range: 570 Miles
Starting Price: $23,895
The traditional non-hybrid Corolla is already one of the most efficient cars in its class. So the Hybrid model builds upon that fuel-sipping base car with a 1.8-liter hybrid engine that delivers up to 50 mpg combined. The Corolla Hybrid is also a relative bargain with a starting price just below $24,000 for the LE trim.
Honda Accord Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 51 City / 44 Highway / 48 Combined
Total Range: 614 Miles
Starting Price: $32,990
The Honda Accord enters its 11th generation for the 2023 model year with a base turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Upgrade to the Hybrid model, though, and you upgrade to a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with two electric motors and more power – 204 hp and 247 lb-ft, versus 212 hp and 232 lb-ft for the previous iteration. But even as the most powerful, it’s still the most efficient returning up to 48 mpg combined.
Lexus ES 300h
Fuel Economy: 43 City / 44 Highway / 44 Combined
Total Range: 700 Miles
Starting Price: $43,790
Lexus is the only premium brand to crack our top ten most-efficient hybrids for 2023. The ES 300h combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a single electric motor to make a total of 215 hp, and thanks to its 13.2-gallon fuel tank, offers an impressive 700-mile range. That means you’ll be able to drive a long way in comfort between filling up with gas.
Kia Sportage Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 42 City / 44 Highway / 43 Combined
Total Range: 589 Miles
Starting Price: $28,815
The Motor1.com Star Award-winning Kia Sportage Hybrid is available with front-wheel drive as standard or optional all-wheel drive. However, if you’re looking for the best possible fuel economy, then you need to pick the front-drive setup. Regardless of the layout, the SUV comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor making a total of 227 hp and 258 lb-ft.
Lexus UX 250h
Fuel Economy: 43 City / 41 Highway / 42 Combined
Total Range: 445 Miles
Starting Price: $36,990
The UX is Lexus’ entry-level SUV for folks looking for a premium model that isn’t too big. It’s available with front- or all-wheel drive. The powertrain consists of an electrically assisted 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a total system output of 181 hp. Its 445-mile range between refueling stops is the shortest distance among the hybrids on this list, though, thanks to a tiny 10.6-gallon tank.
Future EVs And Affordable Options For 2023:
Best MPG Plug-In Hybrids
Toyota Prius Prime
Fuel Economy: 127 MPGe
Electric Range: 44 Miles
Total Range: 600 Miles
Starting Price: $32,350
The king of plug-in hybrids (for 2023, at least), is the Prius Prime. Now with a larger 13.6-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the Prime has an improved electric range – 44 miles this year compared to just 25 last year – and an impressive 127 MPGe fuel economy figure. When fully gassed and charged, the 2023 Prius Prime can drive an estimated 600 miles.
Kia Niro PHEV
Fuel Economy: 108 MPGe
Electric Range: 33 Miles
Total Range: 510 Miles
Starting Price: $35,165
The 2023 Kia Niro PHEV is the next best thing to the Prius Prime in terms of outright economy while also offering a higher-riding form. It offers an impressive 33 miles of electric range and 108 MPGe, with a total driving range of 510 miles. In terms of pricing, the Niro PHEV is a bit more expensive than the Prius at $35,165 (with destination), but that’s still reasonable for such an efficient crossover.
Ford Escape PHEV
Fuel Economy: 105 MPGe
Electric Range: 37 Miles
Total Range: 520 Miles
Starting Price: $41,995
Ford has its own fuel-efficient crossover in the 2023 Escape Plug-In Hybrid. Its 14.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack gives it 37 miles of electric range and up to 105 MPGe, with a total driving range of 520 miles. For 2023, the Escape Plug-In Hybrid starts at $41,995.
Toyota RAV4 Prime
Fuel Economy: 94 MPGe
Electric Range: 42 Miles
Total Range: 600 Miles
Starting Price: $43,675
The Toyota RAV4 Prime is an excellent all-around plug-in-hybrid SUV. And it’s pretty quick for a PHEV, too, scooting to 60 miles per hour in just 5.7 seconds. Beyond that the RAV4 Prime boasts up to 42 miles of electric range and 94 MPGe, giving it a total driving range of 600 miles; only the Prius Prime is as good. The plug-in RAV starts at $43,675 for 2023.
Lexus NX 450h Plus
Fuel Economy: 84 MPGe
Electric Range: 37 Miles
Total Range: 550 Miles
Starting Price: $58,655
The only luxury SUV on this list, the Lexus NX 450h+ pairs an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which gives it a healthy 304 hp and allows it up to 37 miles of pure electric driving with a total driving range of 550 miles. As a luxury vehicle, though, the NX is one of the pricier options; the NX 450h+ starts at $58,655.
Kia Sportage PHEV
Fuel Economy: 84 MPGe
Electric Range: 34 Miles
Total Range: 430 Miles
Starting Price: $40,015
The Kia Sportage comes in two electrified flavors for 2023: traditional hybrid and plug-in hybrid. This plug-in-hybrid version boasts a 13.8-kWh battery pack paired with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, giving it 34 miles of pure electric range and 84 MPGe. Those figures allow for a total driving range of 430 miles. Of course, the plug-in model is slightly pricier than the Sportage Hybrid, starting at $40,015.
Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 82 MPGe
Electric Range: 32 Miles
Total Range: 520 Miles
Starting Price: $38,865
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid remains the only plug-in minivan on the market, complete with a 16.0-kWh battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 287 hp. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, it yields up to 33 miles of pure electric range with 80 MPGe. And it’s not even that pricey, all things considered. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid starts at $38,865.
Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 80 MPGe
Electric Range: 33 Miles
Total Range: 420 Miles
Starting Price: $38,635
The Hyundai Tucson, like its corporate cousin the Kia Sportage, is also available in both traditional hybrid and plug-in form. The Tucson PHEV is powered by a 13.8-kWh battery pack and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which gives the SUV a total system output of 261 hp. On battery power alone, the Tucson can travel up to 33 miles while achieving an estimated 80 MPGe.
Volvo S60 T8 AWD Recharge
Fuel Economy: 74 MPGe
Electric Range: 41 Miles
Total Range: 530 Miles
Starting Price: $52,345
The Volvo S60 Recharge is the most powerful car on this list. It pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine with an 18.8-kWh battery pack that helps produce a total system output of 455 hp, giving it a quick 60 time of just 4.3 seconds. And all that power pairs with impressive efficiency; the S60 Recharge can drive 41 miles on battery power alone with a total range 530 miles. Of course, the most powerful and arguably most luxurious option of the bunch isn’t cheap – the S60 Recharge starts at $52,345, and if you want the sporty Polestar Engineered model, it will cost you $69,145.
Volvo V60 T8 AWD Recharge Polestar Engineered
Fuel Economy: 74 MPGe
Electric Range: 40 Miles
Total Range: 530 Miles
Starting Price: $71,845
The Volvo V60 Recharge Polestar Engineered is an interesting – and pricey – proposition. For 2023, Volvo currently only offers the plug-in V60 in the sporty Polestar Engineered trim, which has the same 455 hp and 4.3-second 60 sprint as the S60 Recharge. Only this version has a tighter-tuned suspension, grabbier brakes, and a few extra performance bits. This version of the V60 will cost you at least $71,845 and affords you the same 41 miles of EV range as its sedan sibling.
The Fastest And Most Expensive Cars:
Best MPG Hybrids 2023:
- Toyota Prius - 57 MPG Combined
- Hyundai Elantra Blue - 54 MPG Combined
- Kia Niro FE - 53 MPG Combined
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue - 52 MPG Combined
- Toyota Camry Hybrid LE - 52 MPG Combined
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid - 50 MPG Combined
- Honda Accord Hybrid - 48 Combined
- Lexus ES 300h - 44 Combined
- Kia Sportage Hybrid - 43 Combined
- Lexus UX 250h - 42 Combined
Best MPG Plug-In Hybrids 2023:
- Toyota Prius Prime - 127 MPGe
- Kia Niro PHEV - 108 MPGe
- Ford Escape PHEV - 105 MPGe
- Toyota RAV4 Prime - 94 MPGe
- Lexus NX 450h Plus - 84 MPGe
- Kia Sportage PHEV - 84 MPGe
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid - 82 MPGe
- Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid - 80 MPGe
- Volvo S60 T8 AWD Recharge Extended Range - 74 MPGe
- Volvo V60 T8 AWD Recharge Extended Range - 74 MPGe