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Gas prices are on the rise nationwide, yet again. According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon or regular (87 octane) gas was $3.16 in July and it will continue to rise as the year progresses. This could leave you deflated if you’re in the market for a car, but on the bright side, it also means that it’s a good time to buy a hybrid vehicle.

However, many new hybrid cars are expensive, so you might want to check out some used ones to get a better deal. Here are five hybrid cars that you can currently find nationwide that will save you money upfront and every time you need to stop at the gas pump.

1. The 2013 Honda CR-Z is fun to drive and sips fuel

Honda hybrid CRZ coupe at the Canadian Auto Show.
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 15: Honda hybrid CRZ coupe at the Canadian Auto Show. | (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

It might be weird to think of a hybrid car as being “sporty,” but Honda achieved that with the CR-Z. No, it won’t blow the doors off of a Corvette in a stoplight drag race, but the CR-Z is small, spritely, and will put a smile on your face when you drive it down a curvy road. Under the hood of the Honda CR-Z is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s mated to an electric motor.

Together, that combination produces 130 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque and can achieve up to 36 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway when equipped with the CVT, but it’s more fun to drive with the six-speed manual transmission. If you want to inject a little two-seat sporty hybrid fun into your life, you can now find a 2013 Honda CR-Z nationwide for around $10,000.

2. The 2010 Honda Insight wasn’t a big hit, but it is currently a bargain

honda insight in a showroom
Customers admire a Honda Motor’s new hybrid vehicle “Insight” at the company’s showroom in Tokyo on February 19, 2009. | (YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images)

The second-generation Honda Insight debuted in 2010 and ended production in 2014. When it was around, Honda sold over 20,000 of them for the first two years, but interest petered out after that. It was possibly due to the fact that it looked a lot like a Toyota Prius but didn’t get Prius-like gas mileage. However, it was still able to achieve an impressive EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.

Additionally, it was able to seat up to five passengers comfortably with plenty of space in the cargo area given its hatchback shape. If you don’t care about its Prius-looking aesthetics and just want good fuel economy, then you’ll be happy to know that you can currently find 2010-2014 Honda Insights selling nationwide for around $5,000 to $6,000.  

3. The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid offers comfort for five and lots of fuel savings

ford fusion hybrid at LA auto show
Ford presents its Fusion hybrid car as the LA Auto Show opens for press previews at the LA Convention Center November 19, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. | (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

If you would rather have a hybrid vehicle that looks a little more like a family sedan, then the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a good choice. The Fusion Hybrid was based on the same architecture as its gas-only counterpart but has the added benefit of using a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s mated to an electric motor. Together, the fuel-saving duo is able to achieve up to 41 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and over 600 miles on a single tank of fuel. Best of all, you can now find one of these older Fusion Hybrids for around $5,000 nationwide.

4. 2019 Honda Clarity is a unique plug-in hybrid

2019 Honda Clarity is on display
2019 Honda Clarity is on display at the 111th Annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois on February 8, 2019. | (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

In case you can stretch your budget for a hybrid vehicle, the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-in is a good option. Sure, the Clarity’s unique shape might not be the most attractive to some, however, Honda did a great job in making it aerodynamic. Furthermore, it’s a plug-in hybrid, which means that you can plug it at night and get up to 47 miles of all-electric range that’s good enough for a short commute to work.

When that range runs out, the 1.5-liter engine and electric motor combination under the hood is good for 44 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway so you’ll still save money when you need to visit the gas pump. But you’ll also save money upfront as there are many 2019 Honda Clarity selling for around $19,000 nationwide.

5. The 2015 Toyota Prius C is small and fuel-efficient

2016 Toyota Prius c
2016 Toyota Prius c is on display at the 108th Annual Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois on February 19, 2016. | (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

Lastly, if you would rather stick to the tried-and-true Toyota Prius line, then the Prius C could be of good use if you don’t need much space. However, keep in mind that it’s down on power too. Under the hood of this plucky little hatchback is a 1.5-liter engine mated to an electric motor, which together put out 99 hp. Yes, you read that right.

According to Edmunds, the Prius C takes 11.6 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph. However, if you don’t care much for performance, then you’ll like that you can find one for around $7,000 nationwide.

Gas prices might be high, but some hybrid car prices are low

Just because gas prices are rising, it doesn’t mean that you need to spend an arm and a leg when shopping for a car this year. There are plenty of hybrids in the used market, however, these five vehicles stand out as being some of the most affordable. They’ll not only save you money at the gas pump, but they’ll be kind to your wallet when it’s time to purchase one.

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