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The Ford Fusion Hybrid is unveiled during the Ford press conference at the North American International Auto Show

It’s Possible to Get a Great Hybrid Car for Under $10,000

For some consumers, buying a new car in this current climate just isn’t feasible. Fortunately, there are many great cars you can get on the used market at highly affordable prices. Gas-operated cars are the cheapest, but used hybrids can be a little pricey. If you’ve only got a $10,000 budget, you’re not out of …

For some consumers, buying a new car in this current climate just isn’t feasible. Fortunately, there are many great cars you can get on the used market at highly affordable prices. Gas-operated cars are the cheapest, but used hybrids can be a little pricey.

If you’ve only got a $10,000 budget, you’re not out of luck. There are quite a few 10-year-old hybrids you can buy and still have money to spare. The car’s electric battery, one of the most expensive components, has usually already been replaced by this time. Here are the top three used hybrids, according to U.S. News.

The 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

The Mercury Milan was a short-lived model, discontinued after only five model years. The hybrid version was only available for 2010 and 2011. The car wasn’t very popular, selling only about 3,000 units during its lifetime. However, the Milan Hybrid is still a highly efficient car.

Its electric motor is paired with a four-cylinder engine, making 156 hp altogether. It gets 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg at highway speeds. According to some reviews, the car was surprisingly quick for a hybrid. Edmunds says that it’s not quite sporty, but it’s way more fun to drive than most rivals.

The interior is also very roomy and sophisticated. There are no cheap cabin materials, and adults can sit comfortably in the second row. However, its cargo space is subpar due to the battery pack, a common issue for hybrids.

It comes with a lot of useful technology, though some may find the center stack’s cluster of controls somewhat overwhelming. You can use voice control for MP3 players and cell phones, which was pretty advanced in a time before Apple CarPlay. For $7,669, we’d say the Mercury Milan Hybrid is a good value.

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

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The Ford Fusion Hybrid was released alongside the Mercury Milan, but it was much more popular with consumers. The Mercury brand’s popularity had been on the decline for years prior, which contributed to its demise. The Ford Fusion’s specs are identical with the Milan, right down to the powertrain and fuel-efficiency. It also has the same interior and technology features.

However, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid received better safety scores than its Mercury cousin. It received good ratings on all the tests conducted by the IIHS. It also got five-star ratings on frontal crash tests from the NHTSA. You can buy a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid for around $6,000-$7,000.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt

The first Chevy Volt comes with a four-cylinder engine paired with a 16-kW lithium-ion battery. Combined, it makes up to 149 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The electric battery can drive for 25-50 miles on its own. You can get a full battery in as little as four hours with a 240-volt charger.

Its fuel economy is also impressive, averaging 35 mpg on city roads and 40 mpg on the highway. Many commuters can drive to work and back using no gasoline, which makes it an excellent car for a city dweller. However, its tight quarters and limited seating capacity definitely aren’t ideal for many families. 

Another downside is that the gas engine requires more expensive fuel. Using the Volt’s heater, windshield wipers, and headlights also cause the battery to drain faster. While this is true for all EVs, it can be a hassle when you only have 50 miles of range.

Still, many critics liked cruising around inside the Chevrolet Volt’s upscale cabin. It comes with a center touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a premium stereo. Overall, it’s a very nice hybrid for just $8,706.

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