Best Hybrid Vehicles of 2026
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids combine gasoline and electric power to improve fuel economy, and these are the top hybrid cars, SUVs, and trucks to consider.
Hybrids are no longer fringe players in the automotive world. Gasoline-electric powertrains have become more mainstream, with many automakers offering multiple hybrid options in their lineups. Traditional hybrids rely on a gasoline engine, a battery pack, and one or more electric motors that all combine to power the car. They are fueled solely with gasoline, just like a normal internal-combustion car. Plug-in hybrids include a charge port and larger battery packs as a means of offering some degree of electric-only driving.
Hybrid vehicles are found in many forms, including cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, and even sports cars. Some favor efficiency, while others use the gasoline-electric combination to notably increase performance. A number manage to do both of these things at once.
With so many hybrid vehicles available, it's difficult to distinguish the merely good from the utterly great. That's why we put practically every hybrid vehicle through our comprehensive testing regimen. The hybrids here represent the cream of the crop. These vehicles don’t just understand the assignment, they ace it.
Compact Car: Honda Civic Hybrid
A hybrid model returned to the Honda Civic lineup for 2025, and it's arguably the pick of the litter amongst a strong assortment of variants. Offering 200 horsepower, nearly 50 mpg, and impressive refinement, it has a delightful combination of attributes wrapped in the practical wrapper of the Civic sedan or hatchback. Honda offers the hybrid powertrain on the higher Sport and Sport Touring trim levels, and we think it's worth paying extra for over the lackluster base gas-only powertrain found in less-expensive Civics.
Compact Car: Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius hatchback turned over a new leaf when it entered its fifth generation in 2023. It transformed from an ugly caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. The new car also offers far more horsepower than before, improving acceleration considerably, and fuel economy remains high, at up to 57 mpg as rated by the EPA. A completely redesigned cabin welcomes a more traditional approach, with bigger screens and a sweetened offering of features including available heated rear seats. The new Prius has a low roofline, a wide stance, and a low seating position that completes its transition into something that looks very much worth driving. The plug-in-hybrid Prius PHEV continues as well, and it's now the most powerful model in the bunch, offering 220 horsepower.
Mid-Size Sedan: Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Camry was one of the first mid-size sedans to offer a hybrid powertrain, and it's now the only setup you can get in this bestselling model. Even the most basic Camrys now come with a powerful and smooth gas-electric drivetrain as standard, with the front-wheel drive model offering 225 horsepower. Unlike the Honda Accord, the Camry also offers the option of all-wheel drive, which adds an electric motor to power the rear wheels and brings total horsepower output to 232 hp. No matter which Camry you choose, you'll get excellent fuel economy, with EPA ratings ranging from 43 mpg up to 51 mpg combined. Although we still prefer the driving dynamics of the Accord, the Camry is a close second in our mid-size-sedan rankings owing to its pleasant interior, compliant ride, and competitive performance.
Mid-Size Sedan: Honda Accord Hybrid
Even during this Age of the SUV, there's still demand for an honest and frugal mid-size family sedan, and the Honda Accord is the best of the bunch. While entry-level models are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, the better-equipped trim levels all feature a fuel-efficient four-cylinder hybrid setup. The hybrid setup offers up to 48 mpg and is the quicker of the two powertrains, getting to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds in our testing. Front-wheel drive is the only option. The Accord was totally redesigned last year, and its fresh wardrobe of sheetmetal is arguably the most attractive the car has worn in generations. Inside, the Accord offers two roomy rows of seats, a generously sized trunk, and all the infotainment tech expected from a modern car. But the real reason it receives our praises is its refined road manners, which are noticeable from mile one. Crisp steering, a well-damped suspension, and predictable handling all contribute to driver confidence and enjoyment. Simply put, the Accord is the whole package.
Subcompact SUV: Kia Niro Hybrid
With a bold look, the Kia Niro adds a dose of cool to its eco-friendly image. The base hybrid model comes with a 139-hp four-cylinder, while the perkier plug-in hybrid model adds a more powerful electric motor that bumps output to 180 horsepower. The cabin, which features sustainable materials, matches the extroverted exterior styling and looks fairly upscale given that this is one of Kia's entry-level models. As a small SUV, it offers good practicality and interior space, but it doesn't offer an all-wheel-drive option.
Compact SUV: Honda CR-V Hybrid
The Honda CR-V is a mainstay of the compact-SUV segment, and it's easy to see why it's hugely popular. It's practical, refined, and efficient, and the hybrid model amplifies everything we like about the standard model to an even higher level. Its 204-horsepower gasoline-electric powertrain provides the enticing combination of both quicker acceleration and better fuel economy than the standard turbo-four that comes in in the lower trim levels while sacrificing only a modicum of cargo space to house the hybrid battery. Front-wheel-drive models are EPA-rated at up to 40 mpg combined, while opting for all-wheel drive drops that rating to 37 mpg. The top Sport Touring trim is particularly well equipped, providing a luxury-esque level of features and amenities, and there's now a TrailSport version with rugged-looking tweaks.
Compact Luxury SUV: Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-In Hybrid
Like a nice pair of shoes, or a perfect pair of jeans, the Volvo XC60 brings together practical design with handsome styling to create a unique option in the luxury-SUV class. The XC60 pairs an elegant exterior with an upscale interior and a distinctively Scandinavian take on luxury. The optional 455-hp T8 plug-in hybrid setup offers considerably more power than the gas-only models, and it has an EPA-estimated 36 miles of electric range on a full charge. Volvo even offers a performance-oriented Polestar Engineered version, and that model got to 60 mph in a quick 4.2 seconds in our testing.
Mid-Size SUV: Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
The new hybrid version of the Hyundai Palisade three-row SUV impressed us so much that it earned a 10Best award in its first year on the market. The standard V-6 version of the redesigned Palisade is nice too, but the hybrid is considerably more powerful—with 329 horsepower on tap—while also offering better fuel efficiency, making it a true standout. The distinctive exterior design and impressively upscale interior add to the appeal of the package, and it's spacious and practical for family duties. This same hybrid setup is coming to the 2027 version of the Kia Telluride, and we look forward to sampling that model too.
Mid-Size SUV: Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
Toyota offers not one but two different hybrid powertrain options in its latest three-row SUV. The standard hybrid setup has 245 horsepower and is focused more on fuel efficiency, earning an EPA combined rating of up to 36 mpg. The optional turbocharged Hybrid Max setup sacrifices a bit of efficiency for the sake of speed, as its 362 horsepower gets this big SUV to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds in our testing. While the Grand Highlander's name suggests it is merely a larger version of the Highlander SUV, it's actually an entirely different vehicle, and we like the Grand version much better thanks to its spacious interior, handsome looks, and solid driving dynamics.
Mid-Size Luxury SUV: Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid
The Volvo XC90 continues to age gracefully. Although it's been around for more than a decade, the XC90 remains one of the sharpest-looking mid-size luxury SUVs on the market. The same applies to the XC90's cabin, which benefits from a simple but modern interior design that's complemented by rich material choices. Cushy seats and plentiful space make the Volvo a fine place to while away miles. That said, the third row is on the tighter side—adult passengers will want to sit elsewhere. The plug-in hybrid T8 model is the most powerful of the available powertrains, with 455 ponies and the capability of driving 36 miles on battery power alone. Of course, the XC90 has its flaws, and its cumbersome touchscreen infotainment controls may leave some buyers wanting. For the most part, though, this Swedish SUV's strengths outweigh its weaknesses.
Mid-Size Luxury SUV: BMW X5 xDrive50e Plug-In Hybrid
The mid-size luxury SUV class is rich with choices, most of them good ones, but the BMW X5's plug-in hybrid model stands out for its blend of performance and refinement. Recent upgrades to the xDrive50e model mean that the gas-electric powertrain, now with an inline-six gasoline engine, makes an impressive 483 horsepower and also offers 38 miles of EPA-rated electric range. The BMW's handsome, well-tailored cabin also has strong premium vibes.
Minivan: Toyota Sienna
The Toyota Sienna's brawny-for-a-minivan exterior design is an attempt at SUV cosplay, but even a casual glance in its direction reveals it for the minivan that it is. Fine by us. We like the way this minivan behaves on the road, with a quiet cabin and a refined ride. Besides the obvious practicality benefits that come with any minivan, the Sienna's interior is spacious and nicely equipped—although its second-row seats aren't removable or stowable as they are in other vans. This fourth generation of the Sienna is offered solely as a hybrid, with front- and all-wheel-drive variants sharing the same 245-hp rating, which has proven to be on the poky side in our testing. The Sienna's fuel efficiency, at 36 mpg combined, is far better than that of the other nonhybrid minivans on the market.
Minivan: Kia Carnival Hybrid
The Kia Carnival was already a strong minivan contender, and the addition of a hybrid powertrain to its roster increases its appeal further. The setup includes a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, and it doesn't give up any acceleration performance or interior space compared with the nonhybrid V-6. The huge upside is fuel economy, as it's rated at 32 mpg combined by the EPA, a huge improvement over the V-6's 21 mpg rating.
Pickup Truck: Ford Maverick Hybrid
Small pickups are back, and at the center of this emerging trend is the Ford Maverick. Based on the Escape crossover's mechanicals, it shoulders its way into the Ford pickup truck lineup below the mid-size Ranger. While it might not be built on a truck platform like the F-150 and Ranger, the Maverick nonetheless offers stout payload and towing capability. A fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain that's EPA-rated for up to 38 mpg is an option, and it's offered with either front- or all-wheel drive. It can even tow up to 4000 pounds. The Maverick's cabin is well laid out, and most models offer a generous list of equipment that makes it feel more upscale than its affordable price would suggest. The base XL trim, however, is quite spartan and best suited for fleets and work-site duty. Overall, the Maverick is a compelling small pickup truck with exceptional practicality baked in.
Luxury Sedan: Mercedes-Benz S580e
The Mercedes-Benz S-class maintains superiority by being the full-size luxury sedan by which all others are judged. The S-class satisfies the tastes of its moneyed clientele with stacks of fine materials, deep-seated comfort, and loads of technology. While the S500 has an inline-six and the S580 has a V-8, the plug-in hybrid S580e is an impressive choice that makes 510 horsepower from its gas-electric powertrain. It set a record in our testing, becoming the longest-range PHEV in our real-world testing, going 58 miles on battery power. Its acceleration performance is notable, too, as it got to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds in our testing.
Sports Car: Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray
The legendary Corvette finally adopted a hybrid powertrain for 2024, and the gas-electric E-Ray model is a big-time performer. It introduces all-wheel drive to the Corvette lineup for the first time and still uses a big, powerful pushrod V-8 as its gasoline engine. The electric motor powers the front wheels, and total output sits at 655 horsepower. The E-Ray got to 60 mph in a remarkably quick 2.5 seconds in our testing. We also took it to Virginia International Raceway for our annual Lightning Lap testing, where it set a lap time of 2:45.9.
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
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