Car and Driver’s rankings come from testing over 400 vehicles every year and from our experts’ real-world driving experiences. We’ve picked the best hybrid sedans by looking at around 200 factors like speed, handling, comfort, storage space, fuel efficiency, value, and how fun they are to drive.
We work hard on these rankings so you have all the details you need about the cars you’re interested in. This list includes regular hybrids, but we rate plug-in hybrids in a separate list.
1. 2024 Honda Accord / Accord Hybrid
Even with the popularity of SUVs, there’s still a need for a good, affordable mid-size family sedan, and the 2024 Honda Accord is the best choice. The basic models come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but most will have a fuel-efficient hybrid engine. All models are front-wheel drive.
The Accord got a redesign last year, and it looks better than ever. Inside, it has spacious seating for five, a large trunk, and all the latest tech features. What really stands out is how well it drives, with smooth steering, a comfortable ride, and easy handling.
It’s a complete package, which is why it’s on our 10Best Cars and Editors’ Choice lists for 2024.
| Feature | 2023 Honda Accord EX | 2023 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Front-engine, Front-wheel drive | Front-engine, Front-motor, Front-wheel drive |
| Price | $30,705 | $38,985 |
| Engine | Turbocharged 1.5L I4 | 2.0L I4 Atkinson + Electric Motor |
| Horsepower | 192 hp | 204 hp (combined) |
| Torque | 192 lb-ft | 247 lb-ft (combined) |
| Transmission | Continuously variable | Direct drive |
| 0-60 mph | 7.3 sec | 6.5 sec |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 32 mpg | 44 mpg |
| Fuel Economy (Highway) | 37 mpg | 41 mpg |
| Curb Weight | 3,239 lb | 3,525 lb |
2. 2024 Toyota Prius
Saving money on gas has always been a good idea, but it hasn’t always looked cool. The redesigned Toyota Prius is changing that. The new Prius has front-wheel drive and 194 horsepower, with an option for all-wheel drive that gives it a small boost to 196 horsepower.
There’s also the Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid version with 220 horsepower, which we review separately.
For the first time, the Prius is stylish and fun to drive, while still offering great fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 56 mpg on the highway.
It’s ahead of its competitors like the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid and Toyota’s own Corolla Hybrid, with a hybrid Honda Civic coming soon. Surprisingly, the Prius is now a fun and cool choice, earning it a spot on the 2024 10Best Cars list and our 2024 Editors’ Choice list.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback |
| Base/As Tested | $35,560/$35,560 |
| Options | none |
| Engine | DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 150 hp, 139 lb-ft |
| Electric Motors | 2 AC motors (combined output: 194 hp) |
| Battery Pack | 0.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack (C/D est) |
| Transmission | continuously variable automatic |
| Suspension (Front/Rear) | struts/multilink |
| Brakes (Front/Rear) | 11.1-in vented disc/11.0-in disc |
| Tires | Michelin Primacy All Season, 195/50R-19 88H M+S |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Length | 181.1 in |
| Width | 70.2 in |
| Height | 56.3 in |
| Passenger Volume | 91 ft3 |
| Cargo Volume | 20 ft3 |
| Curb Weight | 3199 lb |
| 0-60 mph | 7.1 sec |
| Quarter Mile | 15.5 sec @ 92 mph |
| 100 mph | 18.8 sec |
| Rolling Start, 5-60 mph | 8.1 sec |
| Top Gear, 30-50 mph | 4.0 sec |
| Top Gear, 50-70 mph | 5.0 sec |
| Top Speed (gov ltd) | 115 mph |
| Braking, 70-0 mph | 171 ft |
| Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad | 0.87 g |
| Observed Fuel Economy | 45 mpg |
| EPA Combined/City/Highway | 52/52/52 mpg |
3. 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid might not be the most exciting car, but it’s popular because it’s affordable, spacious, and efficient. For 2025, this family sedan has a new look and now only comes with two hybrid engine options.
It can have front- or all-wheel drive and produces up to 232 horsepower. Toyota might also release a more powerful plug-in-hybrid version called the Camry Prime. The interior has been updated with modern technology and a design inspired by the larger Crown sedan.
Despite these changes, the Camry Hybrid remains a mid-size car aimed at competing with the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025 Toyota Camry | front-engine, front- or front- and rear-motor, front- or all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan |
| PRICE | FWD: LE, $29,495; SE, $31,795; XLE, $34,495; XSE, $35,695 AWD: LE, $31,020; SE, $33,320; XLE, $36,020; XSE, $37,220 |
| POWERTRAINS | FWD: DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter inline-4, 184 hp, 163 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 134 hp, 153 lb-ft (combined output: 225 hp; 0.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack); continuously variable automatic transmission AWD: DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter inline-4, 184 hp, 163 lb-ft + 3 AC motors; front: 134 hp, 153 lb-ft; rear: 40 hp, 62 lb-ft (combined output: 232 hp; 0.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack); continuously variable front/direct-drive rear transmissions |
| DIMENSIONS | Wheelbase: 111.2 in\nLength: 193.5 in\nWidth: 72.4 in\nHeight: 56.9 in\nPassenger Volume, F/R: 53–54/46 ft3\nTrunk Volume: 15 ft3 |
| Curb Weight (C/D est): 3500–3800 lb | PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)\n60 mph: 7.3–7.6 sec\n1/4-Mile: 15.4–15.6 sec\nTop Speed: 115 mph |
| EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST) | Combined/City/Highway: 44–51/44–53/43–50 mpg |
4. 2024 Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata adds some excitement to family sedans, hoping to stand out from the rest. The latest version features new front and rear bumpers, updated headlights and taillights, and significant interior upgrades.
It keeps its existing engines: a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 290-hp turbo four-cylinder in the N Line model. Now, cars with the non-turbo engine can also come with all-wheel drive. The fuel-efficient 192-hp Sonata Hybrid is still available.
While it doesn’t handle as well as the Honda Accord, its stylish design and great value make it a top choice for family sedans, earning it a spot on our 2024 Editors’ Choice list.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan |
| Price (Base/As Tested) | $33,390/$33,600 |
| Engine | turbocharged DOHC 16-valve inline-4 |
| * Displacement | 98 in3, 1598 cm3 |
| * Power | 180 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| * Torque | 195 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| * Suspension (Front/Rear) | struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar / multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar |
| * Brakes (Front/Rear) | 12.0-in vented disc / 11.2-in vented disc |
| * Tires | Pirelli P Zero All Season 245/40R-19 94W M+S |
| * Wheelbase | 111.8 in |
| * Length | 192.9 in |
| * Width | 73.2 in |
| * Height | 56.9 in |
| * Passenger Volume (Front/Rear) | 62/42 ft3 |
| * Trunk Volume | 16 ft3 |
| * Curb Weight | 3350 lb |
| * 0-30 mph | 2.6 sec |
| * 0-60 mph | 7.1 sec |
| * 0-100 mph | 18.4 sec |
| * 1/4-Mile | 15.5 sec @ 92 mph |
| * 70-0 mph Braking | 175 ft |
| * Roadholding | 0.86 g |
| * Observed | 30 mpg |
| * 75-mph Highway Driving | 36 mpg |
| * EPA Combined/City/Highway | 31/27/37 mpg |
5. 2024 Hyundai Elantra
The 2024 Elantra is a small car that’s great for people buying their first car. It’s fuel-efficient and easy to park. But it’s not just practical—it’s also stylish and offers good value. The outside looks cool and the inside is roomy for its size. You can get a hybrid version that’s even more fuel-efficient.
The regular version has a 2.0-liter engine that’s okay, but the N-Line model has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that’s a bit more fun. However, it’s not as exciting to drive as some other cars like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3.
If you’re really into performance, there’s a special Elantra N model, but it’s more expensive.
| Feature | Gas | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan | Front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan |
| Price (Base/As Tested) | $26,455/$26,610 | $29,105/$29,260 |
| Engine | DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 2.0L | DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 2.0L + AC motor |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6200 rpm | 139 hp (combined) |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm | 195 lb-ft (combined) |
| Transmission | Continuously variable automatic | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Highway) | 35/31/41 mpg | 50/49/52 mpg |
| Observed Fuel Economy | 35 mpg | 40 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 8.1 sec | 8.4 sec |
| Curb Weight | 2895 lb | 3088 lb |
6. 2024 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is not designed to impress or excite you. Instead, it focuses on providing a safe and predictable ride for any distance you travel. It’s not built for high performance, except for a special version called the GR Corolla.
The most powerful engine it offers has 169 horsepower, which is not very energetic. Compared to other cars like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3, the Corolla feels slower. You can get the Corolla as either a sedan with four doors or a hatchback with five doors. The sedan even comes with a hybrid engine option that saves a lot of fuel.
| Feature | 2023 Corolla Hybrid SE AWD | 2019 Corolla Hatchback SE |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan | Front-engine, FWD, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback |
| Price (Base/As Tested) | $27,610/$28,615 | $22,010/$23,805 |
| Powertrain | 1.8L I4 + 3 AC motors (134 hp combined), CVT | 2.0L I4 (168 hp), CVT |
| Transmission | Continuously variable automatic | Continuously variable automatic |
| Fuel Economy (EPA Combined/City/Highway) | 44/47/41 mpg | 36/32/42 mpg |
| Fuel Economy (C/D 75-mph Highway) | 40 mpg | 40 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 9.0 sec | 8.3 sec |
| Top Speed | 107 mph (gov. limited) | 114 mph (gov. limited) |
| Curb Weight | 3,218 lb | 3,029 lb |
| Passenger Volume | 89 ft³ | 84 ft³ |
| Cargo Volume | 13 ft³ | 18 ft³ |
7. 2025 Toyota Crown
The 2025 Toyota Crown sedan wants to stand out among BMW, Genesis, and Volvo cars, even though it doesn’t have their prestige. Instead, it has a tall design and higher suspension to catch people’s eyes. Some people might find its looks strange, while others might think it’s really cool.
It’s made for those who like the height of an SUV but prefer a sedan shape. Inside, it has a fancy interior similar to a Lexus, with nice materials and a classy style.
All Crowns are hybrids, and most have a 236-horsepower engine that surprised testers with its good gas mileage. For the most power, there’s a top version called Platinum, with a turbocharged engine making 340 horsepower. It’s not as fuel efficient, but it’s much faster.
| Feature | Limited | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger sedan | Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger sedan |
| Price (Base/As Tested) | $46,645/$50,169 | $53,445/$54,638 |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 Hybrid + Electric Motors (236 hp) | 2.4L I4 Turbo Hybrid + Electric Motors (340 hp) |
| Transmission | CVT | 6-speed Automatic |
| Fuel Economy (Combined/City/Highway) | 41/42/41 mpg | 30/29/32 mpg |
| Observed Fuel Economy | 42 mpg | 28 mpg |
| 0-60 mph | 7.2 sec | 5.1 sec |
| Curb Weight | 4063 lb | 4338 lb |
FAQs
1. What are hybrid sedans, and why are they gaining popularity in Australia?
Hybrid sedans are vehicles that utilize both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle. They are gaining popularity in Australia due to their lower emissions, improved fuel efficiency, and government incentives promoting eco-friendly vehicles.
2. How do hybrid sedans work?
Hybrid sedans operate by seamlessly switching between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor based on driving conditions. They can run solely on electric power at low speeds, switch to the combustion engine for higher speeds or when more power is needed, and utilize regenerative braking to recharge the battery.
3. What are the benefits of owning a hybrid sedan in Australia?
Owning a hybrid sedan in Australia comes with several benefits, including reduced fuel costs, lower emissions, potential tax incentives or rebates, access to restricted emission zones in cities, and contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
4. What are some top hybrid sedans available in Australia for 2024 and 2025?
Some top hybrid sedans available in Australia for 2024 and 2025 include the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Honda Accord Hybrid, Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Lexus ES Hybrid, and BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid.
5. Are hybrid sedans more expensive to maintain than traditional petrol/diesel cars?
While hybrid sedans may have slightly higher upfront costs, they often have lower maintenance costs over the long term due to less wear on the internal combustion engine, regenerative braking reducing brake wear, and fewer moving parts in the electric motor.