Today, everyone is in search of ways to both save money and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. One easy way to achieve both of these goals at the same time is by purchasing a fuel-efficient car. The Toyota Prius Prime is the benchmark of fuel-efficient non-all-electric vehicles and is already an extremely popular hybrid car that helps drivers save money on gas and reduce their carbon footprint. But even with this, not everyone would want this particular model for various reasons. Luckily, the market is agog with plenty of alternatives out there that offer similar benefits. When entering the market to choose the right alternative to the Toyota Prius and its Prime sibling, it's important to consider your individual needs and priorities. Whether you're searching for conventional hybrids or plug-in hybrids, you are sure to find the perfect environmentally-friendly car for your needs. The EPA regularly provides and updates its archives with the fuel economy ratings of these vehicles which gives you an arsenal of highly efficient options to choose from. If the choice revolves around the performance capacity of the vehicle, there is an array of similarly powered vehicles of similar price ranges to choose from.
10 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - $28,250
It has a fuel economy rating of 45 MPG in the city and 51 MPG on the highway for a combined figure of 47 MPG, making it one of the most fuel-efficient models in its segment. It comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The gasoline engine produces 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque and is connected to a 50 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque electric motor for a combined power output of 192 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid version features an electric motor of 67 horsepower and a total of 202 horsepower power output. Both models take 8.3 and 8.5 seconds, respectively, to 60 mph from a standstill. The regular hybrid version has a 1.62 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack while the plug-in hybrid version has a 9.6 kWh battery pack.
9 Kia Niro Hybrid - $26,590
The Niro Hybrid comes in both the regular hybrid version and the plug-in hybrid. The regular version has a 104 horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine connected to a 43 horsepower electric motor churning out a total power output of 139 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid version has a bigger 83-horsepower electric motor and therefore produces a higher 180-horsepower output. Both have 125- and 150 pound-feet of torque respectively for 0-60 mph acceleration times of 8.9 and 7.3 seconds. According to the EPA, the regular hybrid version has a combined rating of 50 MPG, while the plug-in hybrid version has a combined city/highway mile per gallon equivalent efficiency rating of up to 105 MPG-e and a regular gas combined rating of 46 MPG. The hybrid model starts at $26,590 and both models are eligible for a $4,500 federal tax credit.
8 Ford Escape Hybrid - $30,185
The Ford Escape Hybrid is powered by the combination of a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor for a combined power output of 200 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. This is enough to power up a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 8.7 seconds. According to the EPA, fuel economy figures are estimated to be at 44 mph in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, bringing about a combined rating of 41 MPG. The plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Escape has a more powerful electric motor and comes with a battery that brings about an all-electric range of 37 miles on a single charge. The NHTSA awarded the Ford Escape Hybrid a complete five-star safety rating while the IIHS named it among the Top Safety Picks of 2020, 2021, and 2022.
7 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid - $30,725
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has a combination of two electric motors and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. The standard hybrid RAV4 produces 219 horsepower while its plug-in hybrid Prime sibling produces 302 horsepower. This output is 100 horsepower more than the standard RAV4 and 106 horsepower more than the Prius. One motor attached to the gasoline engine to power the front axle and the second driving the rear axle, makes all-wheel drive a standard. The RAV4 Prime needs just 5.6 seconds to hit an acceleration of 60 mph from a standing start. It comes with an 18.1 kWh battery pack that is rated by the EPA to be good for 42 miles of all-electric range. The hybrid version has a combined fuel economy of 40 MPG while the Prime version is rated at 94 MPGe.
6 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid - $35,660
The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid combines a 178 horsepower 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine with a 59 horsepower electric motor for a total combined output of 227 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Its single electric motor is powered by a 1.49 kWh battery pack. The plug-in hybrid version has a larger 90-horsepower electric motor, a larger 261 horsepower total power output, and a larger 13.8 kWh battery pack. The regular hybrid version comes in both FWD and AWD versions which have 0-60 mph acceleration times of 8.9 seconds and 9.1 seconds respectively. The plug-in hybrid version comes with just the AWD version which hits 60 mph from zero in 8.8 seconds. All versions have a top speed of 116 mph. EPA has a fuel economy rating of 33 MPG combined with a 73 MPGe.
5 Toyota Camry Hybrid - $28,355
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, allowing the vehicle to produce an EPA rating of up to 51 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway and a combined rating of 52 MPG in the base LE trim, making it one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. The hybrid system produces a total power output of 208 horsepower. It uses a CVT system to route power to all four wheels. The 208 horses can pull the Camry hybrid from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. With a fuel tank capacity of 13.2 gallons, the Camry Hybrid can cover a total distance of 686 miles which is 98 miles more than the Toyota Prius and 46 miles more than the Prius Prime.
4 Honda Accord Hybrid - $31,895
The Honda Accord Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $27,720 and excellent fuel economy. The Accord Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter and an electric motor to produce 212 horsepower that can hit 60 mph from zero in 6.7 seconds. It has a fuel economy rating of 48 MPG in the city and 47 MPG on the highway for a combined rating of 47 MPG. The Honda Accord Hybrid has a fuel tank capacity of 12.8 gallons, which means it can travel up to 602 miles. Although the Prius is more fuel efficient, the larger tank on the Accord Hybrid is the reason it can cover a farther total distance than the Prius. This though is not enough for it to best the Prius Prime as it can cover less total distance than the Prius Prime.
3 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid - $30,900
The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid version makes 226 horsepower and has a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds. The EPA estimated fuel economy of 38 MPG combined means the regular hybrid version can travel a total distance of 520 miles. The plug-in hybrid version uses a 13.8 kWh battery pack to power the electric motor connected to its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and also produces a 38-mile all-electric range. Its plug-in hybrid system produces a total power output of 261 horsepower which can pull the SUV from zero to 60 mph in 8.6 seconds and keep accelerating to a top speed of 118 mph. A 7.2 kW onboard charger can fill up the battery in under two hours. It has a combined fuel economy of 35 MPG and can cover a total distance of 420 miles.
2 Toyota Corolla Hybrid - $22,800
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is a highly efficient vehicle with an impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 47 MPG combined. Its 11.4-gallon fuel tank capacity can carry the Corolla Hybrid a total distance of 536 miles. Starting at $22,800, the Corolla Hybrid combines a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. This 17 horsepower and 51 pound-feet of torque increase in power over the 2022 model year version sacrifices fuel efficiency by four MPG and shaves off a potential 57 miles of range. If you upgrade further to the electronically operated AWD version, the fuel economy is hit further with a reduction to 44 MPG combined and a total distance of 501 miles.
1 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid - $24,550
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid focuses on fuel efficiency. It has a hybrid system that produces 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque from a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. This combination in addition to pulling this hybrid electric vehicle from 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds, has an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 49 MPG in the city and 52 MPG on the highway. Its combined figure of 50 MPG means its 11-gallon fuel tank can carry it a total distance of 550 miles. Starting at $24,550, the Elantra Hybrid is priced at $3,995 less than the Toyota Prius and offers 38 total miles less, 54 horsepower less and a fuel economy rating of seven MPG less than the Prius. The Elantra Hybrid beats the Prius with more passenger volume.