15 most fuel-efficient hybrids on American roads

Published 2:45 pm Monday, November 4, 2024

15 most fuel-efficient hybrids on American roads

Fossil fuels have been a cornerstone of America’s energy infrastructure for over a century.  Today, however, as Americans come to terms with both the environmental impact of fossil fuels and rising transportation costs due to the depletion of a nonrenewable energy source, many people are seeking alternatives.

There has been increased consumer interest in electric vehicles, but the technology is not always accessible or practical in all regions, leaving many new vehicle buyers to look to hybrid vehicles.

The General used data from the Department of Energy to identify the top 15 most fuel-efficient hybrids in the U.S., ranked by their overall mileage, which is measured in miles per gallon. This story does not include plug-in electric hybrids.

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Hybrid vehicles use both a traditional combustion engine and at least one electric motor. They usually store energy in a battery, which is used for lower-power functions such as driving at slower speeds and idling. The vehicles automatically switch to the combustion engine when more horsepower is required. Unlike fully electric vehicles, not all hybrids need to be plugged into a wall outlet or charging station as they generate electricity while driving.

Consumers can benefit from hybrids’ increased fuel economy, and their engines generate fewer environmentally harmful emissions. Repair costs are also often lower over the lifespan of the vehicles, with many hybrids equipped with parts such as regenerative brakes. These cost-saving measures can offset the fact that hybrids sometimes have marginally higher sticker prices than their gas-fueled counterparts.

Though they are not new to the market, hybrids have steadily evolved since the first modern hybrid hit the market around the turn of the century. Toyota has produced its workhorse, the Prius, since the early 2000s; now, it also makes the Camry as a hybrid model. Industry veterans like Hyundai are also rolling out a hybrid version of their venerable Sonata.

Keep reading to find which 15 hybrids are the most fuel-efficient options.


 A Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan, in the downtown metropolis of Houston.

Artistic Operations // Shutterstock

#15. 2025 Toyota Camry HEV FF LE

– Combined mileage: 51 miles per gallon
— City streets: 53 mpg
— Highways: 50 mpg
– Engine: 2.5 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AV-S6)

Honda Insight car with a U.K. license plate driving on an country road.

Sue Thatcher // Shutterstock

#10. 2022 Honda Insight (tie)

– Combined mileage: 52 miles per gallon
— City streets: 55 mpg
— Highways: 49 mpg
– Engine: 1.5 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Hyundai Sonata on display at the New York Auto Show.

The Global Guy // Shutterstock

#10. 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue (tie)

– Combined mileage: 52 miles per gallon
— City streets: 50 mpg
— Highways: 54 mpg
– Engine: 2.0 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AM-S6)

Toyota Camry Hybrid on a dirt lot.

MOUTASEM PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

#10. 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE (tie)

– Combined mileage: 52 miles per gallon
— City streets: 51 mpg
— Highways: 53 mpg
– Engine: 2.5 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AV-S6)

A light silver Corolla Altis on display in a showroom at an event.

hendra yuwana // Shutterstock

#10. 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (tie)

– Combined mileage: 52 miles per gallon
— City streets: 53 mpg
— Highways: 52 mpg
– Engine: 1.8 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (variable gear ratios)

A red Toyota Prius XLE Electric Vehicle on display outside in a lot.

Jonathan Weiss // Shutterstock

#10. 2024 Prius XLE/LTD (tie)

– Combined mileage: 52 miles per gallon
— City streets: 52 mpg
— Highways: 52 mpg
– Engine: 2.0 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (variable gear ratios)

A red Honda Insight hybrid car parked in central Tokyo.

Ned Snowman // Shutterstock

#8. 2003 Honda Insight (tie)

– Combined mileage: 53 miles per gallon
— City streets: 48 mpg
— Highways: 59 mpg
– Engine: 1.0 L, 3 cylinder
– Shifting: Manual 5-speed

A muted light green KIA Niro on display at a show.

The Global Guy // Shutterstock

#8. 2025 Kia Niro FE (tie)

– Combined mileage: 53 miles per gallon
— City streets: 53 mpg
— Highways: 54 mpg
– Engine: 1.6 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AM-S6)

A red Hyundai Elantra Hybrid with a Lyft sticker in the window passing a Metro Bus on the road.

Artistic Operations // Shutterstock

#6. 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue (tie)

– Combined mileage: 54 miles per gallon
— City streets: 51 mpg
— Highways: 58 mpg
– Engine: 1.6 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AM-S6)

A yellow Toyota Prius AWD at the 2024 Canadian International Auto Show.

Zoran Karapancev // Shutterstock

#6. 2024 Toyota Prius AWD (tie)

– Combined mileage: 54 miles per gallon
— City streets: 53 mpg
— Highways: 54 mpg
– Engine: 2.0 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (variable gear ratios)

A light silver Hyundai IONIQ during L.A. Auto Show.

betto rodrigues // Shutterstock

#5. 2022 Hyundai Ioniq

– Combined mileage: 55 miles per gallon
— City streets: 54 mpg
— Highways: 57 mpg
– Engine: 1.6 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AM-S6)

A bright blue Toyota Prius Hybrid in Hong Kong.

Teddy Leung // Shutterstock

#4. 2022 Toyota Prius Eco

– Combined mileage: 56 miles per gallon
— City streets: 58 mpg
— Highways: 53 mpg
– Engine: 1.8 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (variable gear ratios)

A light silver Toyota Prius at the Singapore Motor Show 2024.

Tang Yan Song // Shutterstock

#3. 2024 Toyota Prius

– Combined mileage: 57 miles per gallon
— City streets: 57 mpg
— Highways: 56 mpg
– Engine: 2.0 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (variable gear ratios)

A light pastel blue Hyundai IONIQ showcased at the Brussels Autosalon.

VanderWolf Images // Shutterstock

#2. 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Blue

– Combined mileage: 58 miles per gallon
— City streets: 57 mpg
— Highways: 59 mpg
– Engine: 1.6 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AM6)

A light silver Hyundai IONIQ at the Milan Monza Motor Show, parked outside.

MilanoPE // Shutterstock

#1. 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Blue

– Combined mileage: 59 miles per gallon
— City streets: 58 mpg
— Highways: 60 mpg
– Engine: 1.6 L, 4 cylinder
– Shifting: Automatic (AM-S6)

Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.

This story originally appeared on The General and was produced and
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