Cheapest Hybrids for 2026: Accessible Electrification
Hybrids make an increasingly good value proposition as they stretch the gas tank further than ever before.
Bradley IgerWriterManufacturerPhotographerMotorTrend StaffPhotographerRyan LugoIllustration By
With gas prices endlessly fluctuating and the EV market cooling down in the wake of the tax credit going away, hybrids continue to be a viable option for buyers looking to keep fuel costs low without fully committing to an all-electric lifestyle. Traditional hybrid cars also tend to be significantly less expensive than their plug-in hybrid and electric-powered counterparts while offering substantial efficiency improvements over conventional internal combustion vehicles. And whether you’re on the hunt for a sedan, SUV, or truck, some of the most popular vehicles on sale today are now offered with a hybrid powertrain option.
We’ve assembled this list across several different vehicle categories, and they’re ranked from least to most expensive by the manufacturer’s current base price with the destination fees included. You can get additional information about the pros and cons as well as the full specifications of each vehicle from the link at the bottom of each entry.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid | $25,770
Continuing its reign as the most affordable hybrid on the market, the Corolla Hybrid offers fuel efficiency that’s nearly on par with the Prius in a vehicle with a significantly lower asking price and a more conventional design.
In testing, we noted that performance is the primary trade-off for the Corolla Hybrid’s affordability. Outfitted with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a CVT automatic, the Corolla Hybrid strolls to 60 mph in 10.3 seconds with FWD or 9.7 seconds with all-wheel drive, both of which are notably slower than the latest Prius and the Corolla Hybrid’s conventional gas-powered counterpart.
Fortunately, the Corolla Hybrid makes up for it by achieving fuel economy ratings of 50/43 mpg city/highway in front-wheel-drive configuration, or 47/41 mpg when equipped with AWD. Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and centering, and automatic emergency braking are standard features, as is an 8.0-inch touchscreen display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | $26,695
While some of its interior materials feel a bit low-rent and the base model lacks some important features, buyers on the hunt for an affordable top compact hybrid sedan with impressive fuel efficiency should put the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid on their shortlist.
Its powertrain combination consists of a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor that produces a total output of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft, and the power is routed to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This combination gets the Elantra Hybrid from 0 to 60 mph in a leisurely 8.7 seconds, but the Blue base model’s fuel economy ratings of 51/58 mpg city/highway are among the best in its class.
Kia Niro | $ $28,435
The second-generation Niro offers distinctive styling, a thoughtfully designed cabin, and impressive efficiency to go along with its low price. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models feature a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder that’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor. This combination translates to 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque in the standard hybrid model, or 180 hp and 195 lb-ft in the plug-in model.
While Kia does not offer an all-wheel-drive version of the Niro, its efficiency does ease the sting a bit, as the standard hybrid delivers EPA-rated fuel economy figures of 53/54 mpg city/highway in base trim.
Ford Maverick Hybrid | $29,840
One of only two compact pickup trucks currently available in the U.S. market, the Maverick has been a favorite of ours since its debut in 2022.
Hybrid shoppers will be pleased to learn that the Maverick’s electrified powertrain is now standard across the lineup. The setup consists of a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine matched up with an electric motor and a CVT automatic. The combination produces 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, which translates to a 0–60-mph figure of 7.6 seconds and fuel economy ratings of 42/35 mpg city/highway with FWD, or 40/34 mpg when equipped with AWD.
Toyota Prius | $29,745
The Prius got a massive styling glow-up for 2023, and Toyota has continued to improve its segment-defining hybrid with a growing roster of options and packages in the time since.
The standard model features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an 83-kW motor generator integrated into the hybrid’s eCVT automatic transmission, a combination that’s good for 194 hp in front-wheel-drive models, while the addition of a rear motor in AWD configuration bumps that figure to 196 hp. The plug-in hybrid model, meanwhile, instead uses a 120-kW motor generator and 13.6-kWh battery that raises total output to 220 hp.
And as you’d expect, the fuel economy numbers from the standard Prius are the most impressive on this list, with the FWD LE base model boasting a rating of 57/56 mpg city/highway, while the 2024 AWD model returns 53/54 mpg.
Toyota Camry | $30,195
Now an all-hybrid affair, Toyota’s bestselling midsize hybrid sedan offers the fit and finish we’ve come to expect from Toyota as well as surprisingly bold styling and fun driving dynamics.
Power comes from Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid powertrain, which delivers 225 hp in the front-wheel-drive version of the 2026 Camry, and even with a 17-hp improvement over its predecessor, the fuel economy figures remain virtually unchanged: rise from 46/47/45 mpg city/highway/combined for popular models and 52/49/51 mpg for the base LE. Camry AWD models develop 232 hp, while examples in its XSE trim feature a sport-tuned suspension and unique exterior accents.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | $30,295
Boasting solid fuel efficiency, modern design, and plush ride quality, the Sonata Hybrid is a worthy alternative to rivals like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Refreshed for 2024, the revamped Sonata Hybrid scored new exterior styling, a better center console design, and new tech that includes 12.3-inch displays for both the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system. Motivation comes from a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and a 51-kW electric motor. Together they produce 192 hp, which is routed to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Although we found its acceleration to be a bit sluggish, the Sonata Hybrid delivers impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 44/51/47 mpg city/highway/combined (47/56/51 for the base Blue model).
Honda Civic Hybrid | $30,490
Offered in both sedan and hatchback body styles, Honda is taking aim at grabbing a big slice of the compact hybrid sedan segment with the Civic Hybrid. Like the standard Civic, the Civic Hybrid offers upscale styling and an attractive cabin while adding model-specific chassis tuning and noise-reduction technology.
The powertrain setup consists of a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors for a total of 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque. This translates to a brisk throttle response on the road: In our testing, the Civic Hybrid dashed from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. Fuel economy is similarly impressive, with Honda EPA ratings of 50/47/49 mpg city/highway/combined.
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | $30,745
The Corolla Cross recently received its first major update since its introduction in 2022, a refresh that included revised styling, interior design tweaks, and new tech.
The hybrid model features a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and a rear electric motor that produce a combined output of 196 hp and deliver a 7.4-second dash from 0 to 60 mph, along with EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 46/39/42 mpg city/highway/combined. While we noted that the standard Corolla Cross feels underpowered in both FWD and AWD configurations, the hybrid model’s smoother power delivery and impressive fuel efficiency make it the most compelling choice in the lineup.
Read MotorTrend’s full review for the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Kia Sportage Hybrid | $31,735
Outfitted with a bold new look, a powerful hybrid powertrain, and a spacious cabin, the latest Sportage Hybrid offers a lot of value for the money. All versions of the Sportage Hybrid are equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and a 48-kW electric traction motor that’s situated between the engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.
Output is up slightly, but in our testing, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took the same 7.3 seconds, which is still about l two seconds quicker than the gasoline-only model. Ride quality is smooth in most driving situations, though the suspension’s soft tuning can translate to a lot of body motion on rougher roads. Fuel economy ultimately favors the front-wheel drive Sportage Hybrid model, which is rated at 41/44 mpg city/highway for 2026. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces those figures to 35/36 mpg.
Toyota RAV4 | $33,350
As with its Camry sedan, all versions of the RAV4 crossover will now be hybrids, and even better, a plug-in hybrid will be optionally available, too.
The automaker promises improved ride and handling over the 2025 model thanks to revamped vehicle architecture, while new exterior styling, upgraded driver assist and active safety features, and updated tech should further enhance the RAV4’s appeal.
The core hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with an electric motor. Front-wheel-drive models will offer 226 hp, while AWD models add an electric motor to the rear axle. This increases total output to 236 hp and delivers a 0–60-mph time of 7.0 seconds, which is 0.3 second quicker than the previous model. Fuel economy ratings are also expected to improve to 48/42/44 mpg city/highway/combined (44/39/42 with AWD), all solid improvements over the outgoing hybrid models of the RAV4.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid | $34,300
With bold styling and engaging driving dynamics, the hybrid model is our favorite version of the Tucson.
Hyundai’s compact hybrid SUV received a midcycle refresh last year that ushered in a sharper design as well as updated technology like a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and more driver assistance features as standard. The hybrid system consists of a 1.6-liter turbocharger four-cylinder engine matched with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination is now good for 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, along with a 0–60-mph time of 6.9 seconds, and it returns fuel economy figures of 38/38 mpg city/highway in the base Blue trim.
Ford Escape Hybrid | $35,385
Ford gave the Escape a much-needed update last year that largely focused on improving the crossover’s tech. This resulted in an expanded suite of passive and active safety features as well as a new Sync 4 infotainment system, the latter of which is outfitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display as standard; a 13.2-inch touchscreen display is optionally available.
The Escape’s hybrid powertrain produces 192 hp and delivers fuel economy figures of 42/36/39 mpg city/highway/combined, and it’ll reach 60 mph from rest in 8.1 seconds. Although its ride can get a bit choppy on poorly maintained roads and some of the cabin materials are a bit chintzy, the revamped Escape is a big improvement over its predecessor. Note that the Escape is offered as both a traditional hybrid as well as a plug-in hybrid, but only the former is available with all-wheel drive. Ford won’t be offering the Escape much longer, so if you want one, the time is now.
Mazda CX-50 Hybrid | $36,245
Boasting an attractive combination of Mazda styling and proven hybrid technology, the CX-50 Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with hybrid hardware from Toyota, a marriage that translates to 219 hp and estimated fuel economy figures of 39/37 mpg city/highway.
We were already fans of the CX-50’s nimble handling, upscale cabin, and generous roster of standard features, and the hybrid model addresses one of our few complaints—the slow response of the standard model’s six-speed automatic transmission—by replacing it with a CVT. The CX-50 Hybrid model also offers some visual differentiation from the standard CX-50 thanks to its restyled front bumper and unique wheel designs.
Subaru Forester Hybrid | $38,015
Offering better fuel economy and more power than the standard Forester, the long-awaited Forester Hybrid retains everything we like about the standard model while improving its capability.
The hybrid setup brings together a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery, an electric motor-generator and traction motor, and a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine to produce 194 hp, making this the most powerful Forester on sale today.
With an 8.6-second 0–60-mph time, the Forester Hybrid is two-tenths quicker than the standard model while returning city/highway fuel economy figures of 35/34 mpg. Both numbers are improvements over the non-hybrid Forester, but they still fall a bit short of the figures that rivals such as the Toyota RAV4 produce. The Forester Hybrid also offers about 580 miles of driving range, which means it’ll travel about a hundred more miles than the standard Forester between fill-ups.
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