Choosing a new fuel-efficient vehicle for your next car doesn’t have to be difficult. Instead, models like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Hyundai Elantra Blue promise great fuel economy and an affordable starting price. Check out some of TrueCar’s picks for the best cheap hybrid cars of 2023. Surprisingly, the top five picks are from just two car brands: Toyota and Hyundai.
What new hybrids will come out in 2023?
New hybrids like the 2023 Toyota Crown will hit the streets this year, and some familiar models are returning. Here are some of the best new hybrid cars with affordable starting price tags:
- Toyota Corolla
- Hyundai Elantra
- Toyota Prius
- Hyundai Sonata
- Toyota Camry
According to TrueCars’ picks, the top five models on the list of cheap hybrids are exclusively from Toyota and Hyundai. Beyond the top five, the new 2023 Honda Accord and Lexus ES 300h are noteworthy hybrid cars. Plus, the Accord gets a nice redesign to boot, ditching the 2022 model’s over-the-top aesthetic.
Is the Corolla Hybrid better than the Prius?
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid combines fuel economy with one of the automaker’s most popular sedans. Also, the lowest-trim alternative-powered Corolla, the Hybrid LE, starts at about $23,895. That makes it about $2,275 less than a comparable Prius.
However, the Corolla model’s efficiency numbers fail to compete with another hybrid car, the 2022 Toyota Prius. The Prius gets up to 56 mpg combined, while the Corolla Hybrid tops out at around 50 mpg combined.
Need to plug in a Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
Fortunately for potential owners worried about forgetting to plug in a PHEV, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue’s 139-horsepower four-cylinder hybrid platform doesn’t require plugging in. Instead, the 1.6L gasoline engine charges the battery and the system works together to achieve up to 54 mpg combined.
How much does a 2022 Prius consume?
The 2022 Toyota Prius gets 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway in most trims. However, the L Eco trim gets up to 58 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. Plus, with a starting price of $26,170, the Prius remains one of the best new hybrid cars for value.
What is the mpg for a 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited?
The 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited gets up to 45 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway. However, the Limited can’t compete with another version of the hybrid car, the Sonata Hybrid Blue. The $29,771 blue model returns up to 50 mpg city and 54 mpg highway.
How far can a Toyota Camry Hybrid go on a full tank?
A late-model Toyota Camry Hybrid is a car that can travel over 600 miles on a full tank thanks to its commendable fuel economy. Specifically, the Camry model achieves up to 52 mpg combined.
Plus, with a starting price of around $29,450 for the Hybrid LE trim, the Camry is a solid choice among cheap, fuel-guzzling sedans with room for five passengers.
What is the downside of a hybrid car?
Modern hybrid cars and SUVs have many redeeming features, such as fuel economy figures of over 50 mpg. However, the vehicles are typically underpowered and have an electric and gas heavy architecture. In addition, only some models have electric-only driving capability.