Top 10 Hybrid Cars - Cheapest In The World
Top 10 Hybrid Cars - Cheapest In The World

In fact the humble hybrid has become essential for our traffic-infested cities to help keep our vehicular carbon footprint in check. Plus, now you don’t have to proclaim your love for the environment by buying a Prius or an Insight. You can be low-key about it and get a Corolla or a CR-V hybrid.

With so many options in the market finding the right car for you can be a challenge. But the cheapest options are also a good place to start. So which are cheapest hybrid cars you can buy today? Read on to find out.

List of Top 10 Cheapest Hybrid Cars

10. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid - $29,470+

9. Ford Fusion Hybrid - $29,245

8. Honda CR-V Hybrid - $28,870+

7. Toyota Prius Prime - $28,855+

6. Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in - $27,475+

5. Honda Accord Hybrid - $26,575+

4. Toyota Prius - $25,280+

3. Hyundai Ioniq - $24,175+

2. Toyota Corolla Hybrid - $24,045+

1. Honda Insight - $23,885+

Details of Top 10 Cheapest Hybrid Cars

10. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid - $29,470+

Photo: Motortrend
Photo: Motortrend

Kicking off the list is Toyota’s best-selling car, the RAV4, well, its hybrid version anyway. Though it is the most expensive hybrid on this list, it is possibly the most practical. Despite the addition of the electric motors and a battery pack, the cargo and cabin space on the hybrid is identical to the standard RAV4. In addition, Toyota offers AWD as standard on the vehicle.

Full-electric and hybrid powertrains continue to spread rapidly throughout the automotive industry, so it's no surprise that hybrid-car specialist Toyota offers a RAV4 Hybrid and plug-in hybrid RAV4 called the Prime. The Japanese automaker has applied the lessons learned from its Prius hybrid to its entry in the far trendier compact-SUV class.

Based on the regular nonhybrid RAV4 (reviewed separately), the RAV4 Hybrid and Prime offer similar practicality and features with much better fuel efficiency and, in the case of the Prime, respectable electric-only driving range, which earned it an Editors' Choice award. These electrified Toyotas aren't alone in the segment—hybrid versions of the Honda CR-V, the Ford Escape, and the Mitsubishi Outlander are also available—but they are well-equipped to compete for your hard-earned dollar, Caranddriver noted.

9. Ford Fusion Hybrid - $29,245

Photo: Edmunds
Photo: Edmunds

Although Ford has halted further development on sedans and other cars, the Ford Fusion Hybrid still exists (for now) and is one of the most affordable hybrids currently on the market. It is powered by a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine making 185 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque. The engine pairs with an eCVT gearbox that sends power to the front wheels. Also, it promises a frugal fuel economy of 43 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.

The Fusion Hybrid comes with the SYNC3 system standard along with Ford’s safety suite. Features like blind-spot detection with rear cross traffic alert however is available on the higher trims only. Though you also get things like climate control and a 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat and a lot of car for the money, the Fusion will not be our recommendation. The critical reason for that is; the car and platform is almost a decade old and there are no plans to develop a new platform for the car. Also, despite the promise of a frugal fuel economy, the Fusion is likely to feel low on power and grunt.

8. Honda CR-V Hybrid - $28,870+

Photo: VOV
Photo: VOV

Though late to the party, the Honda CR-V Hybrid debuted in the American market this year to take the fight to its arch-rival, the Toyota RAV4. Just like the RAV4, CR-V comes with AWD as standard too. And just like the hybrid Toyota, the Honda makes more power than its standard version. Where it differs is the engine. Compared to the RAV4’s 2.5-liter unit, the CR-V makes do with a 2.0-liter engine that, combined with a 1.4 kWh battery pack makes 212 hp of max power and 232 lb-ft of peak torque. An eCVT handles the transmission duties.

While the CR-V is more powerful than its standard version, the power is still less compared to the RAV4—even if by just a fraction. It is also less fuel-efficient than the Toyota as it returns 40 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway compared to 41 and 38 mpg for the RAV4. But where it lacks in frugality, it more than makes up in pricing and superior driving dynamics.

7. Toyota Prius Prime - $28,855+

Photo: Caranddriver
Photo: Caranddriver

Simply put, the Toyota Prius Prime is the plug-in hybrid version of the ever-popular and hybrid-car-flag-bearer, the Prius. The Prime essentially takes everything directed towards fuel economy from the Prius and turns it up to 11. The engine is the same 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder motor paired with an eCVT transmission to drive the front wheels. The electric motor setup is similar to the non-plug-in Prius but here, the dual-drive motor gets two generators, one to drive the wheels and one to charge the battery. Speaking of which, it is an 8.8kWh battery pack that allows for a range of 25 miles in pure electric mode. Add to that a 3.3kW charger and you can charge the battery in about 4.5 hours.

Needless to say, it is one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market today. It returns 55 mpg in the city and 53 on the highway. Apart from the low fuel consumption you also get virtually no range anxiety. As for the cabin, it is identical to the one on the

6. Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in - $27,475+

Photo: Edmunds
Photo: Edmunds

Hyundai has come a long way from secondary choice cars. Now the company is known to produce solid cars with packages and value for money factor that is hard to beat. The Ioniq Plug-in is just such a car. In a time when other automakers were still considering their electrification plans, Hyundai debuted the Ioniq hybrids and the electric. The Ioniq plug-in is the second plug-in on this list and also more affordable than the Prius Prime.

You can get the Ioniq as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure-electric car, and it’s the first model in the world to make all those three powertrain options available. Hybrid tech is a stepping stone between internal combustion and electric cars, and the plug-in hybrid offers a blend of standard hybrid and EV qualities. You can charge the Ioniq from a mains socket in around six hours, but a 3.6kW domestic wall charger does the job in less than three.

On a full battery, the Ioniq will cover a consistent 30 miles in pure-electric mode, using no petrol and opening up the possibility of doing your 15-mile twice daily school run solely on electric power, according to Autoexpress.

5. Honda Accord Hybrid - $26,575+

Photo: Edmunds
Photo: Edmunds

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, Cars Usnews reported.

The Accord is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine which paired with an electric motor makes 212 hp of combined power. The powertrain is hooked up to a CVT gearbox that drives the front wheels. Finally, despite being a non-plug-in hybrid, the Accord returns nearly 50 mpg.

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4. Toyota Prius - $25,280+

Photo: Garatructuyen
Photo: Garatructuyen

The Toyota Prius is the original hybrid and among the first cars to take an eco-friendly approach. The Prius is powered by the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as its plug-in sibling, the Prius Prime. The engine output stands at 96 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque whereas the electric motors add 71 hp and 120 lb-ft to the mix.

Like most other hybrids, the Prius employs a CVT gearbox too. But as of 2019 model year it is also available with an on-demand AWD system. The car essentially works as a FWD car until it detects wheel slip and sends torque to the rear wheels. While starting off, all four wheels are engaged.

The fuel consumption stands at 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. The cabin isn’t remarkably different from the previous generation, but you do get a massive 11.6-inch touchscreen in the cabin on the Limited trim. The Prius is quite uneventful to drive. It is quiet, comfortable and a frugal daily runabout vehicle and it does that perfectly. Expecting it to perform any better would be an unrealistic expectation.

3. Hyundai Ioniq - $24,175+

Photo: EV Database
Photo: EV Database

The Toyota Prius might have been the pioneer of the modern hybrid car, but the Hyundai Ioniq seems to be catching up.It is the second cheapest hybrid on the market, even more competitively priced than the Toyota Prius. The trims and convenience packages are almost identical to its plug-in sibling. Both also share their powertrains but there are some key differences.

The hybrid’s motor is a 43 hp unit compared to the 60 hp unit of the plug-in. It also utilizes a much smaller 1.5kWh battery pack but the over all output is still identical at 139 hp. Also, there is no pure electric mode, though the fuel economy at 55 mpg in the city and 54 mpg on the highway is quite impressive. You also get regenerative braking but in all trims except the base, Autoguide noted.

2. Toyota Corolla Hybrid - $24,045+

Photo: Bestcars
Photo: Bestcars

If you want a hybrid that does not look like a hybrid, your choices are limited. And if you want a Toyota, the Corolla is your only option, provided you want a sedan and not a crossover. The Corolla hybrid is as close as you can come to a hybrid that looks like a normal car. What’s more, you get the engine and fuel efficiency of the Prius but the cabin layout, comfort and the normalcy of the Corolla.

Even the fuel efficiency figures of the Corolla Hybrid are almost identical to that of the Prius. And for a delivery price of $24,045 you get automatic climate control, tilt/telescopic steering, bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 complete with adaptive cruise control, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning.

1. Honda Insight - $23,885+

Photo: Zing
Photo: Zing

Even though the Prius became a phenomenon in the American market, it was the Honda Insight that was the first hybrid to arrive on the continent. It was discontinued in 2014 amid slipping sales but then brought back to life. It is the most affordable hybrid on the list and also quite well equipped.

The 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine and twin electric motors dish out 151 hp, almost 30 more compared to the Prius. A torque rating of 197 lb-ft is more than adequate and higher than its competition too. It’s a unique car this, as it doesn’t have a transmission but uses a direct drive system. Being a hybrid, it has to be fuel efficient. According to our previous tests the Insight will return 52 mpg even with slightly spirited driving. The cabin is more like a car rather than a science experiment and will appeal to ardent Honda fans as it’s reminiscent of the Civic—which it shares its platform with. Unfortunately though, the base trim could be better equipped, but at $25,265 the EX trim is still affordable.

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