TOP 12 Best Hybrid Cars to Buy Used in 2024

Used cars can be a great way to save money over buying a brand-new one, and a hybrid can save even more cash throughout its life. We'll show you the smartest used hybrid buys on the market today.

The Toyota Corolla has been a popular, affordable car for decades, and the hybrid model brings a more efficient powertrain to the legendary nameplate. The 2021 Corolla Hybrid is a straightforward proposition: it's a normal car that happens to be extremely efficient, with an EPA-rated 53 mpg city/52 mpg highway that outperforms most competitors. 

The Toyota Prius has been ubiquitous on American roads since it was introduced to the U.S. in 2000. Since then, it's become synonymous with the term "hybrid," and the 2019 model is no exception. Standard front-wheel-drive Prius models return a stellar 54/50 mpg city/highway, and the Eco base model gets an even-better 58 mpg city/53 mpg highway. All-wheel drive also became an optional feature in 2019.

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq is another stats-sheet darling, with phenomenal EPA-rated fuel economy in the base model hybrid at 55 mpg city/54 mpg highway, and a plug-in hybrid version with 119 combined MPG-equivalent. The plug-in model can go up to 29 miles solely on electric power. 

The 2019 Kia Optima Hybrid is the inverse of our last several models. It offers a relatively dismal (by hybrid standards) 39 mpg city/45 mpg highway, but it's more enjoyable to drive than other hybrids on the market. Some versions of the Optima Hybrid have over 200 horsepower, and its handling is engaging yet comfortable on rough pavement. It also boasts a very upscale interior for its class, as well as standard leather seats.

Ford no longer produces sedans, but its older models still have plenty to offer. The 2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a solid car that prioritizes comfort and an engaging ride over most other attributes. Like the Optima Hybrid before it, the Fusion Hybrid gets a relatively unremarkable 43 mpg city/41 mpg highway, but it has a 188 horsepower engine and an upscale interior. 

The 2019 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid provides a smooth ride that doesn't compromise fuel economy. It gets 49 mpg city/43 mpg highway, and its cabin is still relatively spacious and comfortable, though sometimes a bit noisy. 

The Honda Insight was a relatively forgotten model even when it was still sold, and it was discontinued last year to free capacity for Civic and CR-V Hybrid production. It's still worth remembering for used shoppers, though, because it was a well-designed hybrid, with a low-slung battery pack that both improves handling and allows the trunk to offer vastly more cargo capacity than most compact hybrids. It also gets up to 55 mpg city/49 mpg highway.

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid was fully redesigned for the 2021 model year with slick new looks. Its stellar safety ratings, driver-assistance features and affordable entry point made it the winner of the U.S. News 2021 Best New Car for Teens award, and it's cheap to operate, with an excellent 53 mpg city/56 mpg highway in the base model.

The Toyota Avalon has been a luxurious-yet-economical model for its entire life, and the Hybrid adds excellent fuel economy to the mix. While its 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway EPA ratings aren't class-leading, the rest of the Avalon Hybrid is superb and its large footprint is rare for a hybrid sedan. 

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is one of the top-rated used sedans on the market because it has few weaknesses. It was a U.S. News finalist in 2021 for both Best Hybrid or Electric Car for the Money and Best Hybrid and Electric Car for Families awards thanks to its well-rounded nature. 

The Honda Accord Hybrid was fully redesigned in 2018, and the 2019 model is a strong choice for used shoppers. It gets 48 mpg city/highway combined, and it has copious amounts of cabin room and a powerful 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain. It achieved perfect crash-test marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and its standard accident-prevention technology list is long.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid tops our list thanks to its rock-solid base platform and phenomenal fuel economy. It gets up to 51 mpg city/53 mpg highway, and it has a serene, comfortable interior even at highway speeds. The Camry has exceptional trunk space for the hybrid class and in 2019. Minor complaints are that the powertrain sometimes hesitates under hard acceleration, and its handling is boring, but for most used car shoppers, it'll be hard to find anything wrong with the Camry Hybrid.