For drivers considering a hybrid vehicle, the miles-per-gallon rating is one of the most important metrics in determining which make and model they ultimately choose. Improvements in exterior design and components under the hood have pushed hybrid cars’ efficiency ratings ever higher. A few models are even approaching the 60 mpg mark. If mileage is what matters most to you in a hybrid car, consider one of these eight gas-sippers when you make your next purchase.
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Without any further ado, let’s dive into the best MPG hybrids on the market today.
The Best MPG Hybrids
Lexus ES 300h Hybrid
If you’re looking for luxury, the Lexus ES 300h hybrid sedan is the ideal mix of comfort, performance and efficiency. It delivers 44 miles per gallon in a sleek, stylish package.
Powered by a 2.5-liter gas engine paired with a 215 HP nickel hydride battery, the ES 300h provides instant torque and smooth suspension. The intuitive regenerative braking system allows drivers new to the hybrid world to adapt quickly to the unfamiliar system. An innovative swing-valve shock absorber makes for a stable ride, even in rough road conditions.
Comparing Modes in the Lexus ES 300h
The convenient Drive Mode Select system lets drivers toggle seamlessly between Sport, Normal, Eco and EV modes to favor enhanced performance or maximum fuel economy. Sport mode adjusts the powertrain for quicker gear changes, tighter suspension and sharper acceleration. In Eco mode, throttle response, engine power output and other systems are modified to conserve fuel. economy.
Sport mode adjusts the powertrain for quicker gear changes, tighter suspension and sharper acceleration. In Eco mode, throttle response, engine power output and other systems are modified to conserve fuel. The vehicle relies entirely on battery power in EV mode, which is best for short distances at low speed, while Normal mode establishes an optimal balance of efficiency, performance and responsiveness.
More About the Lexus Hybrid
On the inside, the Lexus commitment to luxury truly shines, with exquisite attention to fine details like the hand-stitched dashboard and Hadori Aluminum accents. The 10.2-inch color display is capable of projecting critical information such as speed, gear and engine performance onto the windshield, so drivers never have to look away from the road.
The proprietary Mark Levinson sound system delivers a theater-quality audio experience thanks to the precise placement of speakers and rich tonal nuances. Heated and ventilated front seats and class-leading rear legroom guarantee a plush ride for both drivers and passengers. Other notable features include push-button start, power open/close trunk with kick sensor and optional power rear sunshade.
Safety is also an area in which the Lexus ES 300h excels, with standard features like a 10-airbag system, rigid platform with enhanced crumple zones and vehicle stability control. Optional accessories include blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, premium triple-beam headlamps with adaptive front lighting system and rain-sensing wipers.
Honda Accord Hybrid
Fans of the classic Honda Accord sedan will love this eco-friendly version, which gets 48 miles per gallon while retaining the safety, reliability and affordability of the original incarnation. This makes it one of the best MPG hybrids on the market.
The Accord Hybrid powertrain is essentially the same design as that of the Honda Insight, but with some added muscle. The car relies largely on the electric motor in most conditions, while the 2.0-liter gas engine generates power for the battery pack. With a total output of 212 HP, the Accord Hybrid achieves smooth acceleration and plenty of zip when needed.
Additional Features of the Accord Hybrid
With the battery mounted beneath the back seat, the Accord Hybrid boasts generous trunk space—16.7 cubic feet—as well as a roomy cabin for passengers that provides plenty of legroom and space for child seats. The seats are impressively plush, and the interior boasts the high-quality finish drivers have come to expect from Honda.
An eight-inch touchscreen display connects with the eight-speaker sound system as well as Apple and Android devices, and it’s easily visible from its high perch atop the dashboard. A large under-arm storage area and large cupholders reflect attention to passenger convenience. Other creature comforts include remote engine start, Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto-Lock, multi-angle rearview camera and LED running daytime lights.
Like other Accords, the Hybrid is equipped with Honda Sense, a suite of safety and driver-assist features that includes adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking system, lane-keeping assist and traffic sign recognition.
Kia Niro Hybrid
This versatile subcompact SUV gives drivers the best of all worlds: outstanding fuel efficiency with ample cargo space at an affordable price. The Kia Niro Hybrid FE gets 50 miles per gallon combined and starts at a downright frugal $23,490. (Two other trim options with comparable gas mileage are available: The Niro Hybrid LX at $23,900 and Niro Hybrid EX at $26,400.)
The Niro gets its juice from a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine in tandem with a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery for a net 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This combination allows it to achieve its eye-popping fuel economy, but combined with the vehicle’s considerable weight, can make it a bit sluggish on inclines. The six-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission generally shifts smoothly, and direct steering makes for agile handling.
More About the Kia Niro
The Niro Hybrid’s broad 106-inch wheelbase gives it a spacious interior, with 19.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats and 54.5 cubic feet when the back seats are folded down. The cabin is quiet and comfortable thanks in part to a sound-absorbing windshield and available 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support. Heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel are also available.
In addition to Apple and Android connectivity via the seven-inch dashboard touchscreen, drivers can tap into the power of Kia’s UVO eServices program, which provides features like Parking Minder and Roadside Assistance via its mobile app.
Safety is also a high point of the Niro Hybrid. Its frame is made up of more than 50 percent advanced high-strength steel for rigidity, while other patented techniques further enhance the integrity of its construction. Electronic stability control and traction control systems help maintain the vehicle’s stability in a variety of driving conditions, while dual front, front seat-mounted side and full-length side curtain airbags protect both driver and passengers.
Honda Insight
With two trims that get 52 miles per gallon—both of which start at less than $25,000—the Honda Insight is as affordable as it is efficient, earning it the title of 2019 Green Car of the Year by Green Car Journal.
This small sedan evolved from the Honda Civic and fits right into the Honda family of vehicles, with its sleek styling and reliable performance. A 1.5-liter gas engine and high-torque electric motor provide plenty of power to accelerate to highway speeds while keeping fuel consumption low. Two bonus driving modes—Sport and Eco—allow the driver to prioritize either performance or efficiency based on current driving conditions, while normal mode walks the line between the two. The regenerative braking system harvests kinetic energy to fuel the battery and provides a more responsive feel than the regenerative brakes in many of the Insight’s competitors.
The vehicle’s interior provides ample space for five adults, with a 60/40 split rear seatback to expand cargo options. An eight-inch infotainment screen connects to Apple and Android devices and allows the driver or front passenger to easily control the sound system. Buyers who upgrade from the LX to EX trim will also enjoy smart entry with walk away auto-lock, remote start and a convenient external trunk release mechanism.
The Insight has earned industry accolades for safety, with a NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating and a Top Safety Pick designation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Like all Hondas, the Insight includes Honda Sense safety features like Lane Watch, blind spot and cross traffic monitors and auto high-beam headlights. It easily made our list of the best MPG hybrids.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius made its debut in 1997 and has continued to evolve while maintaining the efficient reliability that endeared it to eco-conscious early adopters more than 20 years ago. With trim packages starting at just under $25,000 and a combined gas mileage of 52 miles per gallon, the Prius will appeal to budget-conscious buyers hoping to reduce their long-term fuel costs.
Equipped with a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine and electric motor that combine to produce 121 HP as well as a standard continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the Prius isn’t designed to be sporty, the engine is sufficiently powerful to meet average driving demands, and the acceleration is more than adequate for highway conditions. Prius’ long history has allowed Toyota to develop a drivetrain that transitions seamlessly from gas to electric power and back again.
More Information About The Toyota Prius
The Prius has grown slightly larger since its earliest models, with an unexpectedly roomy interior and ample cargo space: 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The seats can also be folded in a 60/40 configuration for additional versatility. Other interior features include a smart key system with push-button start and a large in-dash color display that connects to Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa. The optional Head-Up Display projects key information like Hybrid System Indicator data and turn-by-turn directions onto the dashboard, allowing drivers to keep their eyes safely on the road.
The 2020 Prius earned the NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating and offers the Toyota Safety Sense suite of features standard on every Prius trim: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection; Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist; automatic high beams; and full-speed dynamic radar cruise control. Other available safety systems include blind spot monitor, rain-sensing wipers and Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Intelligent Parking Assist.
Starting with the 2020 model year, Toyota has also enhanced its hybrid battery warranty, going from eight years/100,000 miles to 10 years/150,000 miles, delivering added peace of mind for Prius buyers.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Despite being a full-sized sedan, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is essentially equal to the Prius in terms of fuel efficiency, squeezing 52 miles from each gallon of gas. And with a starting price of around $28,500 for the base model LE trim, it’s nearly as affordable as the Prius while maintaining the classic family-car feel of the popular Camry brand.
With Camry Hybrid’s impressive 203 HP 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder engine, buyers won’t have to choose between performance and efficiency. The D-4S direct-injection system uses current driving conditions to determine the optimal injection method, maintaining fuel economy while giving drivers the power they need.
A low center of gravity and lightweight construction improve handling and stability, and three drive modes—Sport, ECO and Normal—give drivers even more control over their experience with just the push of a button. A multi-link rear suspension delivers a buttery-smooth ride.
Both driver and passengers will appreciate the roomy cabin and thoughtful interior configuration of the latest Camry Hybrid. The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform strategically positions its seats to maximize legroom and comfort. As far as comfort goes, the top spot on the best MPG hybrids list goes to the Camry Hybrid.
Like the Prius, the Camry Hybrid comes with the full Toyota Safety Sense suite as well as multiple optional safety features. Audio with a 7-inch color touch screen display and smart key with push-button start also come standard, as does the extended hybrid battery warranty included with the Prius.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
As the world’s most popular model of car, it’s no surprise Toyota finally decided to manufacture a hybrid version of its reliable compact sedan in the 2020 model year. While the gas-powered Corolla already gets impressive fuel economy, the Corolla Hybrid takes it to the next level at nearly 53 mpg combined. Only one trim is available in its debut, but you can expect Toyota to pack on the bells and whistles if the hybrid model takes off.
Starting at $23,100—right on par with the Prius—the Corolla Hybrid runs on a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with Hybrid Synergy Drive and electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT). It includes Normal, Power and ECO drive modes for added versatility and control as well as the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense features.
Tech highlights include standard Apple CarPlay compatibility, Amazon Alexa integration, 8-inch in-dash display and Smart Key with push-button start.
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
As a relative newcomer to the hybrid market, Hyundai no doubt takes great satisfaction in proclaiming that its Ioniq Hybrid sedan outperforms Toyota’s Prius juggernaut when it comes to fuel economy. The Ioniq Hybrid with BLUE trim package gets an eye-popping 58 mpg combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient hybrids on the market today. It’s also extremely affordable, with a base price of $23,200 for the BLUE trim (and a bit more for the three other trim options). Making it an even better value, the Ioniq Hybrid comes with Hyundai’s legendary 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and an equivalent warranty for the hybrid battery and system components.
The 1.6-liter 4-cylider engine and electric motor combine for a total horsepower of 139, along with 6-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmission with SHIFTRONIC technology that adapts to your driving habits. It also includes the Hyundai SmartSense bundle of convenience and safety features, such as forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane following assist, blind spot collision-avoidance assist, smart cruise control and driver attention warning, which sounds an alert when the vehicle detects drowsy or distracted driving behavior.
The Ioniq Hybrid is well-connected inside, with integrated Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, crisp 8-inch color touchscreen and Proximity Key with push-button start. The stylish interior provides the most room in its class, while 60/40 folding seats allow for flexibility in cargo transport.
