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Gas prices are still a little high across the nation, so it’s a great time to get into a hybrid or fuel-efficient commuter car. However, not everyone can afford a $30,000 hybrid car like the 2023 Toyota Prius, so a used car could be a better way to go. As such, here are five of the best-used commuter cars that won’t rob you blind when you have to fill them up.

1. 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid
2014 Honda Accord Hybrid | Honda

If you’re looking for a hybrid car but don’t want it to look like a spaceship, the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid is worth your consideration. The Accord Hybrid’s 2.0-liter hybrid powertrain can achieve up to 49 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway, and the car itself is spacious and full of features. Some of those features include Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, and a rearview camera. There are also safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist, thanks to the Honda Sensing package.

2. 2017 Kia Niro

2017 Kia Niro
2017 Kia Niro | Kia

The 2017 Kia Niro presents an excellent solution for anyone needing more space. The Niro is a small SUV, so it has a lot of interior room, but it’s also fuel-efficient thanks to its 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine. That engine can get up to an EPA-estimated 51 mpg in the city and 46 mpg, which is impressive, even for a hybrid. Other standard features include Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker audio system. Upgraded features come via selecting the higher EX and Touring trim levels.

3. 2016 Toyota Prius C

2018 Toyota Prius C
2018 Toyota Prius C | Toyota

Sometimes, a smaller car can be better. That’s technically the case with the 2016 Toyota Prius C, which was a smaller version of the popular Prius hybrid. Although its cabin measurements only allowed to seat four adults in relative comfort, it was big on fuel economy. According to the EPA, the Prius C was able to achieve a maximum of 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway.

According to Carmax, some of the most notable standard features in the Prius C include a folding rear seat, a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and 15-inch wheels.

4. 2018 Toyota Prius

2018 Toyota Prius
2018 Toyota Prius | Toyota

We couldn’t have a list like this without including the normal-sized 2018 Toyota Prius. The Prius has many of the latest tech features, including LED headlights, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen display. However, it’s best known for its 1.8-liter hybrid powertrain that achieves up to an EPA-estimated 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. So you won’t have to worry about stopping to fill up every week.

5. 2019 Honda Insight

2019 Honda Insight
2019 Honda Insight | Honda

The 2019 Honda Insight stands out from the other hybrid cars on this list with its dual-motor hybrid system. One electric motor assists the engine while the other powers the front wheels. That engine is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder that’s capable of achieving up to 55 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. However, that’s not all.

The Insight comes with plenty of other standard features, including auto climate control, Bluetooth, a six-speaker audio system, and a rearview camera.

Commuter cars that won’t empty your wallet at the pump

Yes, we know that these cars are all hybrids, but they are the best way for you not to feel any agony at the gas pump. After all, how can you feel sad when your car is getting over 50 mpg? We know we wouldn’t.

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