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A white Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid on the floor of Paris Motor Show, 2018.

5 Best Used Plug-In Hybrids Under $20,000 According to KBB

Being environmentally friendly is great, but some buyers may be worried about if their battery dies with a fully electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrids are the perfect reliever of that anxiety and can be quite a bit more affordable than standard electrics as well.

One of the best vehicle types, if you’re looking for fuel efficiency at an affordable price, is a plug-in hybrid. You’ve heard of electric vehicles and gas hybrids, but what about the sweet spot right in between? Plug-in hybrids are electric vehicles that can run without gas, but if the battery dies, can run on gas alone. Being environmentally friendly is great, but some buyers may be worried about if their battery dies with a fully electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrids are the perfect reliever of that anxiety and can be quite a bit more affordable than standard electrics as well. Here are the 5 best used plug-in hybrids for under $20,0000 according to Kelley Blue Book.

2018 Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid

A white Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid on the floor of Paris Motor Show, 2018.
2015 Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid | Uli Deck/Getty Images

This hatchback sedan travels up to 29 miles on electricity alone. With 52 mpg once the battery depletes, fuel efficiency is the highlight for this car. The IONIQ features a standard infotainment system, which is convenient and easy to use. Its small interior space is made up for by earning a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It also managed an above-average reliability rating of 3.5 out of five from J.D. Power. A safe and reliable vehicle that doesn’t break the bank on gas, and can run with only electricity. The Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In tops KBB’s list of best used plug-in hybrids under $20,000.

2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid

A green 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid drives on a road
2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid | Toyota

If you’re familiar with the standard Prius, fuel efficiency is a top priority. This plug-in version provides similar gas mileage while helping the environment even more. This Prius averages 51 city and 49 highway mpg. It also allows drivers to drive without gas for up to 11 miles. With plenty of interior space and top-notch reliability, the Toyota Prius Plug-In is a fantastic option. J.D. Power gave the 2014 Prius Plug-In a perfect five-out-of-five for reliability. To top it all off as of 2021, the 2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In is, on average, sold for between $13,831-$15,176.

2016 Chevrolet Volt Plug-In Hybrid

A blue 2016 Chevrolet Volt parked on the side of a road.
2016 Chevrolet Volt | GM

The highest all-electric range of the bunch so far, the Volt can travel up to 53 miles without gas. At an average price of between $18,000-$20,000 this hatchback is a top choice for used plug-in hybrids. 2016 was the first year of the redesigned Volt, so if a more modern style is a concern there’ll be no problems here. Getting 43 city and 42 highway mpg, the Volt can travel a total range of 420 miles with a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas. Not to mention its easy-to-use infotainment system and 3.5 out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power.

2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid

A black 2018 Kia Niro Plug-in hybrid parked at night
2018 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid | Kia

The first year of the plug-in variant of the Kia Niro was available, this 2018 model is capable of an all-electric range of up to 26 miles. The crossover SUV manages an impressive 52 city and 49 highway mpg. Compared to other hybrid/plug-in crossovers, the Niro is one of the best. It ranked sixth on U.S. News & World Report’s best 2018 hybrid SUVs. The Niro maintains a four out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power and earned the highest rating from IIHS on every crash test.

2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

A silver 2014 Honda Accord parked on the side of a road at night.
2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid | Honda

This Accord was a limited production model, but if you like the look of a standard Accord and want something electric, this might be the answer. The Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid has a 570-mile range with 11 miles of all-electric power and a fuel economy of 115 MPGe. This is the only model year this plug-in version was available. It has a 3.5 out of five reliability rating from J.D. Power and manages to have a good amount of power for a plug-in. 195 hp and a U.S. News 10.0 safety rating make this car a great option for anyone looking to go electric without fully committing.

Plug-ins are a great middle-of-the-road option for anyone who isn’t completely comfortable with fully electric cars yet. These options all provide the fuel efficiency and convenience you’d expect without sacrificing safety, reliability, or style. When comparing to popular EVs like a Tesla Model 3 at nearly $40,000, these plug-ins come at a great value when paying below $20,000.

RELATED: Best Used Hybrid Cars According to Consumer Reports

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