If you’re shopping for a fuel-efficient car but don’t want to worry about range limits inherent in today’s EVs, a new hybrid vehicle is your best option. In the past, cheap hybrid cars weren’t necessarily the best, but newer hybrid vehicles benefit from evolving technology and lower-priced components. After all, when buying a hybrid, the purchase price is the most significant part of the ownership cost.

The cheapest hybrid cars

U.S. News & World Report recently reported on “The Cheapest Hybrid Cars,” revealing that one new hybrid car costs as little as $23,600. However, most have starting prices in the $25,000 to $28,000 range. With models from Hyundai and Toyota dominating the top nine cheapest hybrid cars list, we’ll take a closer look at those seven hybrid cars, plus a couple more. 

Cheap Hyundai hybrid cars that make the most out of every gallon

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq is the cheapest hybrid car on the list, with a starting price of $23,600. U.S. News claims that along with the Hyundai Ioniq’s low cost, it’s “also the most fuel-efficient” hybrid on the list, going up to 59 miles on a gallon of gasoline on city streets and highways combined. 

The Ioniq isn’t the only Hyundai hybrid car on the list, either. With a starting price of $24,400, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid offers a spacious cabin and good ride quality for a compact hybrid. It’s also one of the better choices for fuel economy, with estimates ranging from 49-53 mpg in the city and 52-56 mpg on the highway, depending on which model you choose. 

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a midsize hybrid sedan that also placed among the front runners of the U.S. News list of hybrid cars for 2022. With its starting price of $27,350, the Sonata Hybrid features a “classy cabin, comfortable ride,” and a “long list of standard features. It also offers good fuel economy for a larger sedan, with up to 54 mpg on the highway and 50 mpg in the city. 

U.S. News says these cheap Toyota hybrid cars are good on gas

The cheapest Toyota on the list is the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, priced at $24,050. U.S. News points out that the Corolla Hybrid ranks low on its list of hybrid cars due to its “lack of power at highway speeds” and smallish rear seat and trunk. However, its low price and high reliability make it a good value for hybrid car shoppers on a budget. The Corolla Hybrid’s 53 mpg on the highway and 52 mpg in the city rank high for fuel efficiency. 

At number four on the list of cheap hybrid cars, the 2022 Toyota Prius starts at $25,075. According to U.S. News, the Prius “isn’t very agile,” and it’s low on power. However, it performs well enough on city streets and “boasts adult-friendly seats.” The Prius is also one of the most fuel-efficient hybrid cars, with an EPA-estimated 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway.

One of the sportier hybrids on the list, the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, starts at $27,480. It also gets up to 51 mpg in the city and 53 on the highway. While the powertrain offers over 200 horsepower, the team at U.S. News feels the steering response lacks adequate feedback leaving it feeling “numb.” The new-for-2022 SE Nightshade Edition provides a unique look and graphics to set it apart from the other Camrys on the road. 

With a starting price of $28,770, the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is the list’s most expensive hybrid car. It’s also the only plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Its 121 horsepower powertrain leads U.S. News to describe its acceleration as “limp.” However, the review goes on to say that the Prius Prime features “above-average cargo capacity” and “lots of standard features.” The 2022 Prius Prime received a combined city/highway EPA-estimated 54 mpg and 133 MPGe. In all-electric mode, the Prime has a 25-mile range. 

What are the other cheapest hybrids from the list? 

While Toyota and Hyundai dominated the list, Honda also had two contenders. The 2022 Honda Insight starts at $25,760 and gets up to 55 mpg. The Insight has a full array of standard safety features, but its “loud engine, limited rear-seat headroom,” and lack of agility hold it back. 

Featuring “engaging handling and a roomy, high-class interior,” the 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid, priced at $27,720, places near the top of the hybrid car rankings. With 212 horsepower and up to 48 mpg, its top ranking is no surprise. 

While these nine cheap hybrid cars present a myriad of options to consider, any of them would save money at the pump without breaking the bank and provide value for years to come.