The Most Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Cars, Minivans, and SUVs

Getting the Furthest with the Least Fuel

Looking to buy the best of the best when it comes to fuel economy and saving money down the road? Then you are in luck with this latest revised listing of hybrids under real world road testing that CR analysts determined get the most miles per gallon.

A combination of a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor is what makes a hybrid a hybrid with the benefit of providing the best of both worlds in order to achieve optimal fuel economy---which is becoming increasingly important as gas prices have put the pinch on car owner budgets.

Related article: Recommended Compact Hybrid Cars Per New Consumer Reports Survey

With car owner budgets in mind, a recent Consumer Reports analysis of fuel economy tests with the latest and best-selling hybrids found some surprising results that show which hybrid vehicles are considered better deals by getting the most miles with the least fuel.

”We perform fuel-economy tests on every car we purchase and test, including the latest and best-selling hybrids on the market. We evaluate fuel economy under standardized conditions, using a specific procedure on our test track to calculate stop-and-go city-driving numbers, and a 5-mile stretch of a nearby high-speed road for highway mileage,” stated CR analysts.

The Most Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Cars, Minivans, and SUVs

That said, here is summary of 14 of the most fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles out there that includes an important price-benefit or point when remarkable behind choosing each particular model. Please note that the vehicles listed are ranked in order of their fuel economy. Also note that Prius in not on the list only because CR analysts have not reviewed the new 2023 model as of yet.

Related article: What You Need to Know Before Buying a Toyota or Lexus Hybrid This Year

1. 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Price Range: $21,550 - $27,175
CR MPG: Overall 48 / City 37 / Hwy 59 mpg
#1 of 12 Small sedans
Notable Benefit: According to CR analysts, “The LE Hybrid we tested costs only about $310 more than a comparably equipped non-hybrid and gets 15 mpg better overall. The difference will pay for itself after just a few fill-ups.”

2. 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Price Range: $24,550 - $29,150
CR MPG: Overall 48 / City 40 / Hwy 55 mpg
#6 of 12 Small sedans
Notable Benefit: CR analyst note that “The hybrid we tested costs about $1,900 more than a comparably equipped non-hybrid, and its fuel economy is 15 mpg better overall. With gas at $3.55 per gallon, that difference will pay for itself in five years.”

3. 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Price Range: $26,220 - $36,645
CR MPG: Overall 47 / City 39 / Hwy 53 mpg
#1 of 10 Midsized cars
Notable benefit: “The Hybrid LE we tested costs about $2,600 more than a comparable gas-only LE, so it’ll take about six years of fuel savings to pay off that premium,” said CR analysts.

4. 2023 Kia Niro
Price Range: $26,590 - $44,550
CR MPG: Overall 45 / City 41 / Hwy 48 mpg
#1 of 15 Small hatchbacks
Notable benefit: The redesigned Niro achieves 45 mpg overall—up 2 mpg from the prior model.

5. 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Price Range: $28,100 - $36,400
CR MPG: Overall 44 / City 36 / Hwy 51 mpg
#7 of 10 Midsized cars
Notable non-benefit: CR analysts point out that among the hybrids in price that “It’s also not as good a deal. The Sonata Hybrid SEL we bought had a sticker price that was $3,850 higher than a comparably equipped non-hybrid SEL’s. Even though the hybrid gets 13 mpg better than the non-hybrid, that price premium would take 10 years to pay off.”

6. 2023 Lexus ES Hybrid
Price Range: $41,020
CR MPG: Overall 42 / City 32 / Hwy 52 mpg
#1 of 14 Luxury midsized cars

7. 2023 Lexus NX Hybrid
Price Range: $41,955 - $57,805
CR MPG: Overall 38 / City 37 / Hwy 39 mpg
#2 of 36 Luxury compact sport-utility vehicles
Notable benefit: Savings of about $550 a year on fuel that begins as soon as you buy it.

8. 2023 Toyota Venza
Price Range: $34,120 - $42,265
CR MPG: Overall 37 / City 31 / Hwy 42 mpg
#3 of 14 Midsized sport-utility vehicles
Notable benefit: as an all-wheel-drive hybrid, analysts were impressed that it achieves a “…superb fuel economy of 37 mpg overall.”

9. 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Price Range: $27,975 - $39,030
CR MPG: Overall 37 / City 32 / Hwy 41 mpg
#8 of 28 Compact sport-utility vehicles
Notable benefit: “The hybrid costs about $2,000 more than the comparably equipped non-hybrid RAV4 and gets 10 more mpg overall. That initial cost difference will pay for itself in five years,” said CR analysts.

10. 2023 Lexus UX
Price Range: $35,340 - $44,170
CR MPG: Overall 37 / City 32 / Hwy 42 mpg
#2 of 13 Luxury entry-level sport-utility vehicles

11. 2023 Toyota Sienna
Price Range: $36,135 - $52,355
CR MPG: Overall 36 / City 28 / Hwy 43 mpg
#2 of 6 Midsized minivans
Notable benefit: Analysts stated that the Sienna’s 14 mpg advantage will provide a savings about $710 a year which would pay for the price difference in four years over a similarly equipped Honda Odyssey.

12. 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Price Range: $27,490 - $43,190
CR MPG: Overall 36 / City 31 / Hwy 39 mpg
#6 of 28 Compact sport-utility vehicles
Notable benefit: “The hybrid gets 11 mpg more overall than the non-hybrid and costs about $1,680 more, a difference that will pay for itself in about three years,” say CR analysts.

13. 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Price Range: $36,420 - $52,425
CR MPG: Overall 35 / City 27 / Hwy 41 mpg
#2 of 19 Midsized sport-utility vehicles 3-row
Notable benefit: CR analysts point out that compared to the gas-only model, “…the Hybrid gets 35 mpg overall compared with the gas-only Highlander’s 22 mpg. That will save owners about $680 a year at the pump and will pay for the difference in two years.”

14. 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Price Range: $31,150 - $44,560
CR MPG: Overall 35 / City 29 / Hwy 40 mpg
#3 of 28 Compact sport-utility vehicles
Notable benefit: According to CR analysts, “The hybrid costs about $1,225 more than a comparably equipped non-hybrid and gets 9 mpg more overall. That difference will pay for itself in three years.”

And finally…

For additional articles related to hybrid vehicles, here are a few selected informative pieces for your consideration:

• Roomiest and Comfiest Compact Hybrid Cars Tested by Consumer Reports

• Toyota Hybrid Owner Experience with an Aftermarket Hybrid Battery

• What You Need to Know Before Buying a Toyota or Lexus Hybrid This Year

• Easy Solution to a Common Toyota Hybrid Engine Problem That is Also a Scam

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

COMING UP NEXT: The Ford Patent That Could Put Your Car in the Junkyard

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