Hybrids are a clever way to increase a car’s fuel efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint left behind by traditional gas-powered engines. Hybrid power trains are also used to improve a car’s performance and give an electric boost to complement the internal combustion engine.
Hybrids are much more complicated than normal non-hybrid cars – requiring more sophisticated computer systems and hardware to make sure everything works together in as smooth a way as possible. This may lead to a whole host of potential issues and things which may go wrong, resulting in many people not wanting to buy hybrids – especially those in third-world countries.
Luckily, hybrids have had the last 20-odd years to prove themselves and evolve. They are now available in most automakers' lineups – either as the standard specification or as an option. Here are some of the most reliable hybrid vehicles on the market in 2022.
8Lexus ES Hybrid
The Lexus ES Hybrid is one of the best hybrid vehicles currently on sale. It is based on the Toyota Camry Hybrid, but with a more luxurious approach to the car as a whole. The Lexus ES scores an impressive 91 out of 100 points overall according to JD Power’s ratings.
The ES has mostly positive reviews regarding most of its equipment and build quality, with some minor complaints about its old infotainment system and the fact that it has worse fuel economy than many of its rivals. Other than that, it is a great hybrid vehicle.
Related: Lexus ES Dials Up Style And Adds Tech For 2022
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7Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry is the go-to sedan for anyone who wants a practical, economical and reliable sedan. It has been updated to be less soulless and more fun to drive. The Camry is also one of the last affordable sedans to be fitted with a V6. That being said, if a proper fuel-efficient sedan is wanted, the Camry Hybrid is a perfect choice.
The Camry can now be specified in TRD trim, adding some sporty parts to the car, including a body kit, a fake splitter on the front, and a spoiler on the rear. It also adds some TRD badges to the interior. The Camry is great value for money, with even the highest trim starting at under $33,000.
6Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid
It might be strange to see a car like the Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid on this list, but it scores 81 out of 100 in JD Power’s performance tests – around the same as many Toyota vehicles. The Cayenne e-Hybrid is fitted with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and some electric motors, resulting in 455 hp and a rather impressive 46 MPG on combined gasoline and electric cycle.
The Cayenne e-Hybrid also has 17 miles of electric-only range, perfect for a quick drive to the shops or an efficient drive to work in the morning. The Cayenne e-Hybrid starts at a hefty $83,000, making it quite a lot more expensive than many other hybrid vehicles on sale.
Related: 10 Reasons Why The Porsche Cayenne Is Awesome
5Volvo XC40 Recharge
The Volvo XC40 has been a great crossover since it was launched in 2018. In 2019, Volvo introduced the XC40 T5 ‘Twin Engine’, which is fancy Swedish talk for a hybrid powertrain. The XC40 follows much of Volvo’s current award-winning design language, with the brilliant addition of the Android-based infotainment system.
The combination of a 1.5-liter turbocharged i3 and an electric motor results in around 250 hp and an electric-only range of 31 miles. It has an excellent official fuel economy rating of well over 100 MPG, but real-world tests have shown a rating of above 50 MPG – still, not bad for a hybrid crossover.
4Kia Niro
The Kia Niro Hybrid has had quite an impressive history, with the first generation holding the title of the most fuel-efficient hybrid in the US, after completing a trip from Los Angeles to New York City with an average fuel economy of 76.6 MPG.
The second-generation Niro was launched in early 2022 and the range will consist of a hybrid and a full-electric vehicle. The Niro placed 15th out of 75 hybrids tested by Carbuyer, with the only criticism being the lack of performance.
Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Volvo XC40
3Hyundai Tucson
The new Hyundai Tucson has so far proved itself to be a worthy successor to the previous model – which was one of the best-selling cars of the Korean brand. While the styling may be controversial to some, it has helped improve the car’s drag co-efficiency, resulting in better fuel economy and range.
The Tucson Hybrid has also been praised for its technology and reliability, with it scoring 88 out of 100 in JD Power’s index – higher than some Toyotas. The main criticisms of the Tucson Hybrid seem to be the average fuel economy – for a hybrid SUV – and the questionable choice of ergonomics.
Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Hyundai Tucson
2Lexus LC500h
The Lexus LC500h lacks the beautiful sound of a Japanese V8, however only having a V6 hybrid does not mean it is boring in the slightest. The LC500h has a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor that produces a combined output of 350 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque. This is around 120 hp less than in the V8, but the fuel economy is well above 30 MPG for the hybrid compared to around 24 MPG for the V8.
The LC500h also boasts around four miles of electric-only range, which really is not that good – then again, the hybrid system works better in conjunction with the engine. The LC500h also has an interesting ‘dual’ transmission system, where there are four physical gears and six virtual gears in the form of a CVT. It is a complicated system but works great to keep the electric motor’s torque on offer throughout the power band.
1Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius was the car that made hybrids popular and gave other manufacturers a reason to build versions of their own. The Prius is not the most-loved of cars – especially within the motor enthusiast community – and was the sort of car a celebrity would buy to do their part for the environment.
The current Prius has a lot of competition trying to take its crown as the best hybrid, and while some get awfully close, the Prius keeps it. It is still one of the best hybrid cars on the market, with the only criticisms being its performance and some aspects of the interior quality. Although thanks to the meek performance, the Prius boasts an average fuel economy of over 50 MPG – a small price to pay to not visit the gas station as often.
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Michael De Kock is passionate about cars and everything from avocados to particle accelerators. He has studied psychology and knows a little bit about fixing cars (old Land Rovers mostly). He also blogs and has a book, 125 Creative Writing Prompts for Petrolheads, available on Amazon.His philosophy in life: Stop the hate - Adopt a V8.
