Here Are the Top 5 Hybrids and EVs to Buy According to Consumer Reports
Buying a hybrid or a fully-electric vehicle can be stressful, but that doesn’t have to mean they aren’t affordable. Actually, you might be surprised to see what Consumer Reports has ranked as their highest-scoring hybrids and EVs. They are some of the coolest and even some of the most affordable options for making the switch to electric vehicles.
The top-rated choice
The highest-rated choice might surprise you — it’s the Hyundai Kona Electric. The cool factor for these cars is that they really aren’t that common. For a starting price of around $36,000 these sporty, futuristic-looking SUVs really are a bargain, and holding the highest score for hybrids and electric vehicles by several points, they definitely won’t leave you disappointed.
A Kia hybrid option
The 2020 Kia Niro option wasn’t far behind in the Consumer Report rankings. Priced low, but not quite as well as the Kona, the Kia Niro is another seemingly unpopular option. There are a lot of strong points that can be made to support the Kia Niro earnings its spot as the #2.
RELATED: Why the Kia Niro Might Not Deserve to Be Called an SUV
The obvious choice
You’ve probably been waiting to see one of the Tesla electric cars make this list. While it makes the top 5, the Tesla Model 3 conveniently sits in the number 3 spot on the list, holding a reasonable score. What might surprise you is that the Model 3 has a starting price that does well to compete with the other cars on this list, perhaps being a reason that the other cars are less popular.
RELATED: Nerdy and Fun ‘Easter Egg’ Features Tesla Created
The most-hated hybrid option
Of course, as much as many people don’t want to hear it, the Toyota Prius is still one of the best options for an electric vehicle. If your dislike of the car started with the first generation, you should really consider all of the changes Toyota has made to the car over the past several years. While you might just hate the car on principle, there are a lot of reasons why it is actually a great option if you want a more standard hybrid vehicle. Upgrade to the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime and you will own one of the hybrid vehicles that Consumer Reports rated highest.
RELATED: As A Hybrid, Is The Toyota Prius More Expensive To Maintain?
Last, but not least
Speaking of unpopular cars, we can’t forget about the final choice, the BMW i3. With the styling of a slightly grouchier than normal Smart car, the BMW i3 isn’t winning any awards for styling, and certainly not for cargo capacity or practicality. It is a great option for fuel economy, city living, or people that really just love incredibly compact cars. Besides the quirks and features, there are apparently a lot of things to love about this awkward electric BMW.
