Hybrid technology is no longer just for Prius-level models. In 2025, some of the most affordable new hybrids are well within reach for budget-conscious buyers. Thanks to improvements in hybrid systems and strong competition between automakers, there’s now an impressive selection of lightly priced, fuel-efficient vehicles.
These entry-level hybrids deliver solid fuel economy, modern infotainment, and practical features for daily driving without breaking the bank. Whether you’re commuting, carpooling, or just looking for a reliable city car, these models make green driving accessible.
Below, we highlight the 10 cheapest new hybrid vehicles you can buy in 2025, all offering real value, efficiency, and the long-term savings that make hybrids such a smart investment.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA.
These 10 hybrids offer the best mix of efficiency, features, and value, proving you don’t have to spend big to get great fuel economy.
The Hyundai Tucson is one of the nicest looking compact SUVs on the market, with sleek edges and a unique grille design that helps it stand out. It does battle in a pretty packed segment, going up against the likes of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Honda CR-V Hybrid. Not only is it one of the most affordable SUVs in this segment, but it also comes packed with a ton of features even in the most basic model.
Engine
1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
231 HP
Torque
271 LB-FT
Driveline
AWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
36-38 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
37-38 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
36-38 MPG
Unlike many of the other vehicles in this segment, the Tucson Hybrid actually features a turbocharged engine. It’s peppier than you’d expect, able to get up to 60 miles per hour in as little as 7.1 seconds. In terms of efficiency, it may not beat all of its rivals, but it definitely sits near the top of the stack. The Hyundai isn’t a particularly exciting car to drive, but it is plenty competent, and its ride quality will surprise you.
Starting a solid $2,000 cheaper than its corporate sibling, the Sportage takes the crown as the cheapest hybrid compact SUV. The Korean automaker has put their own spin on things, with a boxier and more retro-futuristic twist on its styling than the Hyundai. We think that there is very much seperating this from the Tucson, so if you’re looking at both, and you want to save yourself a couple of bucks, stick with the Kia.
Engine
1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
231 HP
Torque
271 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD or AWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
35-41 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
36-44 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
35-42 MPG
Underneath its bodywork, the Sportage Hybrid is almost identical to the Tucson Hybrid. It features the same turbocharged four-cylinder paired with two electric motors. Unlike most of its competitors, the Sportage can be had with front-wheel drive if you stick with the most affordable trim. While you miss out on some additional gear, the result is an SUV that is more efficient than both the RAV4 and the CR-V.
Sitting underneath the RAV4 in Toyota’s lineup is the Corolla Cross Hybrid. It offers the same simple, straight-forward experience that you’d find in the Corolla hatchback, but with some added practicality. While it may not be the most impressive SUV in its segment, with others offering more for your money, Toyota’s reputation means that this remains one of the most popular subcompact SUVs out there.
Engine
2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
CVT
Horsepower
196 HP
Torque
221 LB-FT
Driveline
AWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
46 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
39 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
42 MPG
Unlike the non-hybrid Corolla Cross, this model comes standard with all-wheel drive. Toyota pairs a humble four-cylinder engine with three electric motors to deliver a powertrain that is reasonably quick and super efficient. The hybrid model also comes with a sportier suspension tune that gives the family SUV a little more character.
Budget-friendly and dependable: these SUVs won’t break the bank.
The Civic Hybrid is one of our favorite cars of the year, offering a ton of value, more fun than you’d expect, and being exceptionally light on fuel. For such an affordable little sedan, it offers quite a lot. Both the sedan and the hatchback body styles are available with the hybrid powertrain, with the latter being the slightly more expensive option.
Engine
2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
CVT
Horsepower
200 HP
Torque
232 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
46 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
39 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
42 MPG
The four-cylinder engine under the hood of the hybrid civic works in tandem with two electric motors. Front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission are both standard across the board. The hybrid setup delivers quite a bit more power than the non-hybrid and actually helps the compact car feel pretty close to the desirable Honda Civic Si.
Hyundai’s mid-size sedan looks much more premium than it ought to, given that it is one of the most affordable cars in its segment. While it might not live up to the excitement offered by cars like the Honda Accord, it does deliver a smooth and comfortable ride that is a class above. The hybrid model takes things a step further, with a setup that is smoother and quieter as well.
Engine
2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
192 HP
Torque
139 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
44-47 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
51-56 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
47-51 MPG
If you’re looking for something exciting and fun to drive, the Sonata Hybrid probably isn’t the car for you. It doesn’t handle particularly well, the steering is numb, and it is pretty sluggish off the line. However, if you want something that cruises comfortably, the Sonata delivers a quality of ride you’d expect from a much more expensive car. Stick with the entry level Blue trim, and it is also capable of over 50 miles per gallon combined.
Last year, Toyota brought us the newest generation of the Camry. The nameplate has always been about delivering simple, affordable, and efficient transportation. To that end, Toyota decided that the new model would be exclusively a hybrid. It might still have a ways to go in the driving dynamics department, but the sedan is now sleeker, more attractive, and more efficient than ever before.
Engine
2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
CVT
Horsepower
225 HP
Torque
163 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD or AWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
43-52 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
43-49 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
43-51 MPG
The four-cylinder engine under the hood of the Camry pairs with two electric motors to put down a reasonable amount of power, capable of getting up to 60 miles per hour in as little as 6.8 seconds. While some models do come with sportier suspension tunes, no Camry lives up to the agility offered by the likes of the Honda Accord. It is plenty responsive, though, and eats up imperfections in the road effortlessly.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly ride, here are 10 new cars that deliver style, value, and practicality without breaking the bank.
The Prius has traditionally been looked down on as a kind of dorky little car. However, over time it has transformed, and the current iteration is actually pretty cool. It wears sleek bodywork that doesn’t struggle to stand out, and it delivers power and handling that no one would ever expect from something that was born to satify environmentalists rather than enthusiasts.
Engine
2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
CVT
Horsepower
194 HP
Torque
139 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD or AWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
49-57 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
50-56 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
49-57 MPG
The Prius comes in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with a standard CVT across the board. Compared to Prius’ of the past, this newer model is so much more fun to drive. It is quicker than before and feels much more controlled through twisty sections of road. It also retains the efficiency that made it so popular to begin with, achieving a whopping 57 miles per gallon combined when in its most efficient form.
The Niro is the most affordable hybrid SUV that you can buy today, and for the price that you pay you actually get quite a lot of kit. Its cabin is well designed and it comes with plenty of features, even in its most affordable form. While this subcompact SUV isn’t as big as some of the other options on this list, it is also far more spacious and practical than you’d expect.
Engine
1.6-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
139 HP
Torque
195 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
53-53 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
45-54 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
49-53 MPG
Not only is the Niro the most affordable hybrid SUV that you can buy, but it is also the most efficient. If you’re someone looking for a budget crossover that won’t burn through money in the long run, this is a great option. It may not be the most thrilling vehicle on the road, but that doesn’t matter when its getting well over 50 miles per gallon.
Hyundai has really been making a play to be taken more seriously in the automotive world, with top players in just about every segment. The Elantra takes the fight to the likes of the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic, and we think it does a cracking job. It looks fantastic, inside and out, and it comes loaded to the brim with features. The ceiling for comfort here is also impressively high, with top trims feeling like entry-level luxury models.
Engine
1.6-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
139 HP
Torque
195 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
49-51 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
52-58 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
50-54 MPG
If you’re expecting performance that lives up to the Elantra N here, then you’re going to be a little disappointed. The Elantra Hybrid takes a much calmer approach, focusing on delivering smooth power and a compliant ride. We appreciate that Hyundai has opted for a traditional dual-clutch transmission rather than a CVT, though it could use a little more refinement.
Is there such thing as fuel-efficient hybrid SUV that’s also budget-friendly? We’ve managed to find 10 options that tick both boxes, plus more.
Toyota has a pretty extensive lineup of hybrids, with a number of them making this list. It’s the Corolla Hybrid that takes the top spot, though, with an affordable starting price that can’t be beat. Nowadays, it’s pretty rare that Toyota is the cheapest option. The Corolla Hybrid may not win any awards for innovation or performance, but it delivers a pretty nice package of comfort and tech, and it’ll save you money on gas.
Engine
1.8-liter naturally aspirated inline-four
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Horsepower
138 HP
Torque
156 LB-FT
Driveline
FWD or AWD
Fuel efficiency (City)
47-53 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Highway)
41-46 MPG
Fuel efficiency (Combined)
44-50 MPG
The Corolla has always been about simplicity, and the current hybrid model is no exception. It doesn’t do anything beyond what it says on the tin, which is to say that it gets you from point A to point B without too many complaints. Handling is fine, and the ride quality is reasonable. It is impressively light on fuel, though.
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