The best cheap hybrids: Top 10
The electrification of motor vehicles has several good reasons, but the main reason is to optimize resource consumption, which helps drivers save money and helps reduce the environmental impact of cars. Hybrid cars are a transitional option from internal combustion engine vehicles to all-electric vehicles. The essence of a hybrid is the combination of an electric motor with a conventional internal combustion engine. The cost of such cars may be higher due to the extended configuration, so at first glance the purchase of a hybrid seems unprofitable. Our ranking of the cheapest hybrid cars will show that it is possible to buy a good eco-friendly, economical vehicle, especially if you choose a used car.
How Hybrid Cars Are Better Than Electric or Gasoline-powered Cars
Hybrid cars cost more than gasoline and diesel cars, they are more difficult to repair and more exposed to extreme temperatures, yet hybrids have a lot of advantages over internal combustion engine cars:
- Economical operation. The main trump card of hybrids. Economy was achieved by reducing the volume and power of the internal combustion engine, optimizing the engine operation, reducing the dependence on the driving mode. At the same time, the car retains its dynamic characteristics.
- Smooth start and smooth braking.
- Significantly less wear and tear on the car, including brake pad wear and tear in constant operation in urban mode.
- Increased range (in hybrids with the ability to drive independently on an electric battery).
- Energy storage and recycling (recharging the battery while driving on the ICE).
The best budget hybrid cars
We have compiled our rating according to objective performance evaluations and reviews of hybrid car owners.
Top of the best of the cheapest hybrid cars on sale:
10. Fiat Panda Hybrid.
9. Ford Fiesta Hybrid.
8. Hyundai i20.
7. Honda Jazz.
6. Kia Rio 1.0 T-GDi 100 CV MHEV Style.
5. Mazda Mazda2 1.5 90 CV Evolve.
4. Renault Clio Hybrid Zen.
3. Toyota Yaris Hybrid Active.
2. Honda Civic Hybrid.
1. Toyota Prius.
Below we will tell in detail what are these models, describe their main advantages and disadvantages.
10th place Fiat Panda Hybrid
Fiat Panda is the legendary Italian hatchback of compact size, which since 2020 began to be produced in a new, hybrid configuration. The car received an updated design and came out in two versions - standard and Sport. Fiat Panda Hybrid is one of the leaders in the list of the most popular, practical city cars.
Model Specifications:
- The body is a 5-door hatchback;
- Engine hybrid - electric motor + gasoline 51 kW, power of 70 hp;
- The top speed is 162 km/hour;
- acceleration to 100 km/h in 13.9 seconds;
- fuel consumption in the mixed type WLTP - 5.7 l/100 km;
- McPherson front suspension;
- disc brakes at the front, drum brakes at the rear.
Advantages: extraordinary design, which can be traced both in external forms, and in the interior, a good safety system in the basic package, reliable suspension, obedient steering wheel, excellent maneuverability.
Disadvantages: not the most functional touch screen, a minimum of comfort features in the basic package, one of the least economical in its class.
9th place Ford Fiesta Hybrid
Another small car in the mild hybrid series, which is ideal for buyers on a tight budget. Ford Fiesta Hybrid showed itself well during the test drive on such parameters as economy, practicality, range. The car has a small trunk, which increases from 292 liters to 1,093 liters when the seats are folded down.
Characteristics:
- engine - 1 liter, 125 hp;
- range - from 655 km in the city to 840 km;
- fuel consumption in the mixed driving cycle - 4.5 liters;
- The top speed is 219 km/hour;
- acceleration time to 100 km/h - 8.9 seconds;
- front-wheel drive;
- transmission - manual transmission.
Advantages of the model: sharp and maneuverable, economical, comfortable, spacious for its small size.
Disadvantages: ground clearance, noise isolation, small trunk when fully filled.
8th place Hyundai i20
One of the most popular Hyundai i20 hatchbacks has become a hybrid, and its position in the ranking of popularity among boo cars has only strengthened. The main distinguishing features of the model are an ambitious new design, improved parameters for category "B", multicool, digital panel, premium audio system with 7 speakers, wireless charging for smartphones and much more.
Characteristics:
- in the basic version is an atmospheric 1.2 liter, 84 hp, in the improved version - 1 liter turbo, 100 hp;
- The gearbox is an intelligent mechanic and a robot;
- front-wheel drive;
- acceleration time to 100 km/h - 10.8 sec;
- The top speed is 188 km/hour.
Advantages of a hybrid: easy to drive and easy to park, very well thought-out ergonomics, the most comprehensive package of safety systems for the cheapest hybrids, excellent interior stuffing - multimedia, control panel, a place to charge your smartphone, etc.
Cons: Basically, these are weaknesses inherent in all cars in this segment - noise isolation, low ground clearance, limited volume of luggage compartment.
7th place Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz is unusual in appearance and has an equally interesting package. Many technical innovations are hidden behind the original packaging.
Characteristics:
- Engine - 1.3 liters, 88 hp (gasoline);
- electric motor - 10 kW;
- consumption - 4 l/100 km;
- The transmission is a variator;
- front-wheel drive;
- clearance - 13 cm;
- acceleration time to 100 km/h - 12.1 sec;
- The maximum speed is 175 km/hour.
Advantages: excellent equipment and equipment for a model of its class, low fuel consumption, roomy cabin, not demanding in maintenance, dynamic and maneuverable.
Disadvantages: ground clearance, weak engine for the highway.
6th place Kia Rio 1.0 T-GDi 100 CV MHEV Style
The inexpensive, fuel-efficient Kia Rio 1.0 T-GDi 100 CV MHEV Style has a 1-liter turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 120 hp, independent McPherson front suspension, and front ventilated disc brakes in the base configuration. For a lightweight hybrid, the power unit has enough power to provide good traction in low gears and dynamics on the road.
Characteristics:
- Engine - 1 liter, 120 hp;
- The top speed is 186 km/hour;
- acceleration in 10.7 seconds;
- Intelligent 6-speed manual transmission;
- front-wheel drive;
- fuel consumption in the mixed cycle - 4.4 liters.
Advantages of KIA Rio 1.0 T-GDi 100 CV MHEV Style: good optics, thoughtful ergonomics, economical and fast enough engine.
Disadvantages: concerns mainly the comfort - the stiffness of the suspension, poor noise isolation, the lack of digital panel in the basic set.
5th place Mazda Mazda2 1.5 90 CV Evolve
The Mazda 2 Hybrid is a B-class hatchback, the production of which is focused exclusively on the European market. The development of the model was conducted jointly with Toyota and the most advanced developments of the brand were used in the equipment of the car. Even visually, Mazda2 resembles Toyota Yaris, but has its own distinctive features in exterior design and features.
Hybrid Characteristics:
- gasoline engine 1.5 liters, 90 hp;
- acceleration to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds;
- maximum speed of 175 km/h;
- fuel consumption in mixed mode - only 3.8 liters;
- The transmission is an e-CVT;
- 13.5 cm clearance;
- front-wheel drive.
The advantages of the Mazda2 1.5 90 CV Evolve are the advantages of a compact maneuverable car, a comfortable interior and modern safety systems.
Disadvantages: very low ground clearance, small trunk.
4th place Renault Clio Hybrid Zen
The stylish, bright Renault Clio Hybrid impresses at first sight. Its value lies not only in its attractive exterior, comfortable interior and equipment, but also in the fact that it is a full hybrid, which means it can drive on pure electric charge, which increases its range on a single fill-up/recharge.
Characteristics:
- complete hybrid (1.6 liter diesel engine and electric motor with a total capacity of 140 hp);
- body - hatchback, 5 doors;
- fuel consumption in the NEDC mixed cycle - 3.6 liters;
- max speed 186 km/h;
- front-wheel drive;
- The transmission is automatic;
- The front suspension is independent McPherson, the rear suspension is semi-independent;
- Ventilated disc brakes at the front.
The advantages of the Renault Clio Hybrid Zen: spacious interior, economical and dynamic, has a good range, maneuverable, practical and reliable, it is possible to increase the luggage compartment to almost 1000 liters.
Disadvantages of the car: poor noise isolation, low ground clearance, low cross-country, gearbox robot.
3rd place Toyota Yaris Hybrid Active
Toyota Yaris is the most charismatic representative of the class of budget cars powered by hybrid power plant. The compact, stylish hatchback has rounded shapes and is equipped with LED optics in the front and rear. Outwardly it looks very daring, but what is inside? The interior design is made in a restrained classic style - quality, concise, comfortable.
Specifications of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid Active:
- engine (gasoline) - 1.5 liters;
- total power - 111 hp;
- front-wheel drive;
- The transmission is automatic;
- acceleration to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds;
- fuel consumption of about 3 liters per 100 km.
Advantages: one of the most economical in its class, the presence of a stabilization system, front and side airbags, full electric package, bright design.
Disadvantages of the model: little space for passengers in the back, narrow rear doors, which creates inconvenience when getting in and out of the cabin, low ground clearance.
View Toyota Yaris Hybrid Active
2nd place Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda has released a hybrid version of the Honda Civic sedan for Japanese, American and European markets. In Japan, a hybrid hatchback version is also on sale.
Model Specifications:
- 1.5 liter, 110 hp engine in combination with a 17 kW lithium-ion battery electric motor;
- Stepless Variator Transmission;
- acceleration time - 11.9 sec;
- max speed - 189 km/hour;
- front-wheel drive;
- fuel consumption - an average of 5.2 l/100 km.
Advantages of the model: economical, easy to maintain, sturdy chassis (front - Macpherson, rear - independent multilever), appearance, dynamics, reasonable price.
Minuses: weak engine, low seating, expensive parts, although the Honda Civic is almost the cheapest hybrid cars.
1st place Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius is the very first in the history of automobile manufacturing and the best budget hybrid. The car of the Japanese brand has been produced since 1997. In 2022, the 5th generation of the hybrid was already released.
Features of the Toyota Prius:
- 3 package options: 1.8L (140 Hp), 2L (193 Rz), and the Prime 2L (223 Hp) package;
- acceleration time to 100 km - 6.7-9.3 seconds;
- The maximum speed is 180 km/hour;
- fuel consumption - not more than 4.2 l/100 km;
- range on a single electric charge - up to 80 km;
- front-wheel drive.
Advantages of Toyota Prius: reliable mechanics and planetary “gearbox”, simple design and easy repair, low fuel consumption, comfortable running gear, functional on-board computer, adaptive cruise control, original design.
Minuses of the hybrid: a lot of plastic in the trim, poor noise isolation, low ground clearance.
It is easy to find the cheapest used hybrid cars at an international auction, which offers a wide range of vehicles in different countries and on different continents. You only need to set your search criteria and choose the best of the options.