Top Hybrid Cars: A Complete Guide

Hybrid gas-electric cars really aren't that complicated. Add an electric motor and rechargeable batteries to the conventional gas engine—and see your efficiency increase by as much as 50 percent. The onboard computer does all the hard work of switching between gas and electric power.

How Hybrids Work

List of Hybrid Cars

Name	Combined MPG	Type	MSRP	Available	Description
Chevrolet Malibu Eco	29 MPG	Sedan	$25,200		A nicely styled automobile with a class-leading interior
Toyota Prius Liftback	50 MPG	Sedan	$24,000	Now	The number-one selling hybrid car. The Prius is nearly synonymous with "hybrid."
Honda Civic Hybrid	44 MPG	Sedan	$24,000	Now	Honda claims that the 2012 Civic Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient sedan (i.e. not a hatchback) on U.S. roads.
Honda Insight	42 MPG	Sedan	$18,300	Now	The Honda Insight combines practicality, affordability and the best fuel economy for under $20,000.
Lexus CT 200h	42 MPG	Sedan	$29,100	Now	The 2012 Lexux CT 200h is the only vehicle in the luxury segment to top 40 mpg.
Toyota Camry Hybrid	41 MPG	Sedan	$25,900	Now	The 2012 Camry Hybrid offers more power and better fuel economy than its predecessor.
Ford Fusion Hybrid	39 MPG	Sedan	$28,700	Now	A full-size sedan that achieves 41 mpg in the city.
Lincoln MKZ Hybrid	39 MPG	Sedan	$34,700	Now	A luxury sedan with the technology underpinnings of the 41-mpg Fusion Hybrid.
Honda CR-Z Hybrid	37 MPG	Coupe	$20,000	Now	Can a hybrid compact car be sporty and speedy? Honda tries.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid	37 MPG	Sedan	$25,800	Now	Hyundai's first hybrid offers average efficiency of 38 mpg, for thousands below the competition.
Kia Optima Hybrid	37 MPG	Sedan	$25,700	Now	Efficient Hyundai full hybrid system, with a sharp alternative design
Lexus HS 250h	35 MPG	Sedan	$36,300	Now	Think of it as a luxury Prius with a trunk.
Ford Escape Hybrid	32 MPG	SUV	$30,500	Now	The most fuel efficient SUV available.
Lexus RX 450h	30 MPG	SUV	$45,900	Now	Updated version of the luxury SUV with green stripes.
Infiniti M35h Hybrid	29 MPG	Sedan	$53,700	Now	Infiniti's first hybrid offers a compelling combo of luxury, performance and fuel efficiency.
Buick LaCrosse eAssist	29 MPG	Sedan	$30,000	Now	The elegant LaCrosse comes with a new and improved mild hybrid system.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid	28 MPG	SUV	$38,100	Now	The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the most fuel efficient seven-passenger SUV available.
BMW ActiveHybrid 5	26 MPG	Sedan	$60,000	Now	Think of it as a 530i with improved fuel economy and fewer emissions.
Lexus GS 450h	23 MPG	Sedan	$54,900	Now	Race-car-like acceleration, luxurious appointments, and half-way decent fuel efficiency.
GMC Sierra Hybrid	23 MPG	Pickup	$39,600	Now	The GMC Sierra Hybrid pickup truck’s gasoline V8 engine and electric motors provide a not-insignificant 33-percent increase in overall fuel mileage.
Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid	22 MPG	SUV	$61,000	Now	Combines a direct injection engine and hybrid gas-electric system for maximum benefit.
Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid	22 MPG	SUV	$55,000	Now	The Mercedes-Benz version of the Two-Mode system combines a 275-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and two electric motors.
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid	21 MPG	SUV	$51,600	Now	The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid makes significant strides in improving the fuel economy of the full-size SUV.
Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid	21 MPG	SUV	$69,000	Now	The Cayenne S Hybrid is about as far away from the earnest nerdiness of the Prius as any Porsche can get.
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid	21 MPG	Pickup	$39,200	Now	The two-wheel drive (2-WD) versions of the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid proudly trumpet the crucial stats for full-size pickups.
Mercedes S400 Hybrid Review	21 MPG	Sedan	$91,000	Now	As the world’s first mass-production automobile to employ a lithium-ion battery, the S400 Hybrid is considered a milestone.
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid	21 MPG	SUV	$73,000	Now	Launched in August 2008, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid sport-utility vehicle is unquestionably the world’s blingiest hybrid.
GMC Yukon Hybrid	21 MPG	SUV	$51,600	Now	The sister vehicle of the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. Features same fuel economy in a better appointed package.
Lexus LS 600h L	20 MPG	Sedan	$112,000	Now	Lexus's 5-liter, V8, 430-horsepower luxury sedan hybrid.
BMW ActiveHybrid 7	20 MPG	Sedan	$97,000	Now	The fastest-accelerating hybrid sedan in the world
BMW X6 Hybrid	18 MPG	SUV	$90,000	Now	An SUV that has crossed over into sports car territory.
Toyota Prius V	42 MPG	Van/Wagon	$26,400	2011	The same DNA has the best-selling Prius, but with almost 60 percent more room.
Audi Q5 Hybrid	n/a	SUV	n/a	2011	In addition to saving fuel—the Q5’s combined EPA fuel economy could approach 26-27 mpg versus the gasoline model’s 22 mpg—the Q5 Hybrid teems with engineering, technology and performance.
Porsche Panamera S Hybrid	n/a	Sedan	$95,000	2011	Porsche performance in a luxury hybrid.
Honda Fit Hybrid	n/a	Sedan	n/a	2012	The hybrid version of the Honda subcompact could become the leader of the pack on fuel efficiency, and with a low price.
Ford C-MAX Hybrid	n/a	Sedan	n/a	2012	The segment-busting almost-a-van vehicle will offer 40+ mpg, but only five seats.
Toyota Sienna Hybrid	n/a	Van/Wagon	n/a	Concept	Toyota offers a hybrid minivan in Japan. Thousands of families are waiting for that option in the United States.
Audi Q7 Hybrid	n/a	SUV	n/a	Concept	Refined and opulent, and now the hybrid version offers slightly better fuel efficiency.
Volkswagen up! Concept Series	n/a	Coupe	n/a	Concept	Volkswagen's play into the high-mpg minicar market.
Nissan Altima Hybrid	34 MPG	Sedan	$26,800	Discntd.	The Altima Hybrid is basically a Toyota hybrid wrapped in Nissan’s attractive packaging.

Top Hybrid Cars: A Complete Guide

How Hybrids Work

List of Hybrid Cars

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