When it comes to automakers’ 2025 lineups, there are some excellent hybrid cars to consider for those in search of fuel-efficient vehicles.
Automakers continue to make improvements to their hybrid models, such as start-stop systems that can help drivers save even more on fuel. As gasoline prices fluctuate, more Americans are considering making their next vehicle a hybrid in order to save money and reduce the impact of gas price volatility on their budgets.
Consumers who choose hybrid cars can save by getting more mileage out of each tank of gas compared to drivers of combustion-engine-only vehicles.
Related: Hybrid cars with the best fuel economy according to Consumer Reports
What are the best hybrid cars in 2025?
According to automotive researcher Kelley Blue Book, Japanese and South Korean automakers top the list of 2025's best hybrid models based on criteria including safety, fuel economy, driving performance, tech features, car value, and comfort.
Hybrid cars on KBB’s list tend to have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of around $30,000 for the base model, which makes them affordable for some Americans.
The 2025 Toyota Camry is now available only as a hybrid vehicle, and its fuel economy (53 mpg in the city and 50 on the highway) and powertrain (at 184 horsepower) make it outshine many of its peers in the midsized-car category.
The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, the 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, and the 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid are comparable in mileage despite their lower horsepower. For a bit more in terms of luxury, the 2025 Toyota Crown (MSRP starting around $40,000) offers higher horsepower at the expense of fuel economy.
Here are the best hybrid cars for 2025, according to the auto experts at Kelley Blue Book.
1. 2025 Toyota Camry
- Type: Midsize sedan
- MSRP: $28,400
- MPG: 53 city / 50 highway
- Combined HP: 184
Toyota produces the Camry as a hybrid-only model, and it's easily one of the brand's most popular cars. Car and Driver said that Toyota has made across-the-board improvements in the 2025 model compared to previous model years.
The Camry now has a “more powerful hybrid setup” and “impressive fuel efficiency,” but there is no longer an option for a V-6 engine, and “some driver-assist features are costly options.”
2. 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid
- Type: Compact sedan
- MSRP: $28,750
- MPG: 50 city / 47 highway / 49 combined
- Combined HP: 141
Car and Driver said that Honda has continued to improve its two-motor hybrid system since the last gas-electric Civic and that the automaker has produced “another no-compromise” hybrid. Other Civics can also be purchased as gas-only — the base MSRP for the gas model is roughly $4,000 cheaper than the hybrid.
3. 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
- Type: Midsize sedan
- MSRP: $26,815
- MPG: 51 city / 58 highway / 54 combined
- Combined HP: 139
Hyundai is producing the 2025 Elantra Hybrid with the same specifications as the 2024 model, which had some major updates from the previous year.
The base model of the Elantra is the cheapest among all brands of hybrids offered by the Korean automaker. It’s also the least expensive among the five hybrids picked by Kelley Blue Book, and other reviewers praise the vehicle for its value-to-price ratio.
4. 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Type: Midsize sedan
- MSRP: $30,195
- MPG: 52 city / 50 highway / 54 combined
- Combined HP: 150
LIke the Elantra Hybrid, the Sonata Hybrid is a carry-over model with minor changes from 2024. Hyundai also offers a gas-only model of the Sonata.
As with the Elantra Hybrid, some reviewers praised the Sonata Hybrid for offering quality features at a good value.
5. 2025 Toyota Crown
- Type: Luxury sedan
- MSRP: $41,440
- MPG: 42 city / 41 highway / 41 combined
- Combined HP: 236
The 2025 Toyota Crown is the Japanese automaker’s luxury sedan with up to 340 HP, and its high-end Platinum version with all the options approaches $70,000.
Auto reviewer Edmunds said that the Crown provides excellent ride comfort and has high fuel economy, but performance from the base engine is lacking.
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- Best new cars and SUVs under $30k according to Consumer Reports
Honorable mentions for 2025's best hybrid cars
Luxury vehicles typically provide greater horsepower, but fuel typically economy drops as HP increases. One of the pricier hybrids available is the 2025 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid, with an MSRP starting at around $115,000.
2025 Lexus ES
- Type: Midsize car
- MSRP: $44,615
- MPG: 43 city / 44 highway / 44 combined
- Combined HP: 215
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury brand, and the 2025 Lexus ES Hybrid is one of two sedans offered as gas-electric.
Car and Driver says the ES offers a trio of powertrains, “comprising a tepid four-cylinder, a smooth V-6, and an efficient hybrid.” But it adds, “if all that sounds good, you can stop here. Anyone looking for driving involvement, however, will want to look elsewhere.”
2025 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid
- Type: Luxury sedan
- MSRP: $115,500
- MPG: N/A
- Combined HP: 300
For consumers with a bigger budget for a luxury sedan, Porsche’s Panamera Hybrid offers just that. Porsche also offers — starting at almost $200,000 — the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which can produce 771 HP.
The German automaker says the Turbo S E-Hybrid’s high voltage battery stores 45 percent more energy than the predecessor battery did and it can operate more efficiently in fully electric mode. Car and Driver said the 2025 Panamera — which gives rocket ship acceleration — is a redesign but the changes are tweaks rather than a complete overhaul.
2025 Volvo S60
- Type: Midsize sedan
- MSRP: $43,795
- MPG: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined
- Combined HP: 247
Volvo classifies its 2025 Volvo S60 as a mild hybrid that just gives a modest boost to fuel economy. Edmunds says the S60 has “impressive power and electric range.”
While mpg may not be as high compared to other hybrids, Edmunds associates the S60’s capability to produce 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque with the Dodge Charger 392 Scat Pack in terms of power and acceleration.
Why choose a hybrid car?
Some consumers are seemingly tapped out on electric vehicles (EVs) for now since their charge times are still lengthy and their battery ranges are still somewhat limited. Many are once again considering hybrid cars because automakers are still making improvements in hybrid technology, so newer models have even better fuel efficiency than their predecessors.
Hybrid cars run on a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor rather than relying on just one or the other. Using both technologies, hybrids can provide good mileage from each tank of gas.
Hybrids typically provide better mileage than conventional cars, but since they do use some gas, they are less fuel efficient than vehicles that are 100% electric.
Consumers are increasingly turning to hybrid vehicles since they have longer ranges than engine-only vehicles but still come with the convenience of being able to refuel quickly instead of powering up slowly via a plug-in station for a full charge like battery-only vehicles.
Pros and cons of hybrid vehicles
For budget-conscious consumers, hybrids tend to be more expensive than engine-only cars but less expensive than EVs. Some consumers also praise hybrids for being environmentally friendly due to their lower carbon footprint with longer range per gallon.
Maintenance on hybrids can be pricey because the battery and electric motor may eventually need to be repaired or replaced, and there aren’t as many mechanics trained to work on hybrid vehicles as there are for conventional engine-only autos.
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