Best Used Hybrid Cars for 2025
These are the best used hybrid cars by price and budget based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
The best used hybrid car under $10k is the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid, with the 2015 Toyota Prius (hatchback) being the best used hybrid car under $15k. The 2019 Hyundai SONATA Hybrid ranks #1 for the best used hybrid cars under $20k.
The best used hybrid car under $25k is the 2022 Toyota Prius (hatchback) and the best used hybrid car under $30k is the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Topping the list for the best used hybrid cars under $35k is the 2023 Toyota Prius (hatchback), while the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime ranks first for the best used hybrid cars under $40k.
With their high fuel economy and lack of range anxiety, hybrid vehicles are seen as an automotive stepping stone between traditional cars with internal combustion powertrains and fully electric cars. While hybrid models aren’t zero emissions vehicles, they do feature an electric motor and hybrid battery pack to achieve better — sometimes substantially better — gas mileage than non-hybrid vehicles.
Cars like the Lexus ES and Toyota Corolla are available in both gasoline and hybrid form, while cars like the Toyota Prius and Prius V are only offered as a hybrid.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are even more fuel efficient. Their drivetrains utilize a larger battery pack that can be plugged in and charged from the electric grid. Early plug-in hybrids like the Chevrolet Volt could travel 20-30 miles on their battery packs, but newer models can cover more than 50 miles before the gasoline engine fires up to keep them going. PHEVs still deliver higher mpg figures than gasoline models, even when the engine is running.
Some hybrids, including the Honda Insight and Hyundai Ioniq, were offered in hybrid and plug-in hybrid form, allowing buyers to pick which version best suites their needs.
Both hybrid systems have higher fuel economy specs than a gasoline car of the same size, but they are also priced higher than traditional new cars, and recovering the cost difference through fuel savings can take several years. Buying a used hybrid vehicle can lower these up-front costs, with federal incentives available that can be applied during purchase to further reducing their price. Ask the dealership about your eligibility for these incentives while test driving a hybrid model.
The hybrids on this list are all cars, but fuel-efficiency-focused shoppers needing a more spacious interior with greater rear seat and cargo space should consider SUVs like the BMW X5 hybrid, Toyota Highlander, and Toyota RAV4 hybrid. Check out Best Used Hybrid Small SUVs, Best Used Midsize Hybrids, and Best Used Luxury Hybrid SUVs Under $55,000 list for more options.
How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Used Car Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
