5 of the Most Exciting Hybrid Sedans Under $45,000 for 2023
A few years ago, the words “exciting” and “hybrid” wouldn’t go well together in a sentence, but times have changed. It’s 2023, and there are plenty of hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs in the market. Believe it or not, some of them are pretty exciting to drive. Check out these five sedans that will make you smile as you drive and save gas.
1. 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid – $31,895
Although you might not think the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid could be fun to drive, it is. Honda stuck a dual-motor hybrid system in the new Accord, giving it a decent mid-range torque bump. It now puts out 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, which doesn’t sound like much. But in our real-world testing, we were impressed with the Accord’s seamless electric motor-to-engine switchover and quick acceleration – all while achieving over 40 mpg.
2. 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — $28,250
We’ll admit that the 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid isn’t fun to drive – at least in a conventional sense. Its hybrid powertrain moves the car along nicely with its 192 hp. However, the Sonata Hybrid’s real excitement lies in its stellar fuel economy numbers. For less than $30,000, you can select the Sonata Hybrid Blue trim level, which gets up to an EPA-estimated 52 mpg in combined driving. There’s nothing more exciting than passing up a gas station or three on a long road trip.
3. 2023 BMW 330e — $44,900
If you’re trying to stay below $45,000, the 2023 BMW 330e is definitely pushing the limits of the budget. However, this entry-level BMW hybrid is worth the extra cash. Under its hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that’s paired with an electric motor to produce a whopping 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Even better, the 330e is a plug-in hybrid, which means it can drive in all-electric mode for up to 22 miles.
Lastly, it wouldn’t be a BMW if it didn’t have the performance to back it up. According to the German automaker, the 330e can get up to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which is pretty quick for a hybrid.
4. 2023 Toyota Prius — $28,545
OK, so the 2023 Toyota Prius is still slow compared to many other sedans, but hear us out. This new-for-2023 model is equipped with a 194-hp, 2.0-liter hybrid system that can get the car up to 60 mph from a standstill in only 7.1 seconds. Compare that to the previous model, which took 10.5 seconds to cover the same distance, and you can see why we’re excited about it. The Prius also gets up to 52 mpg combined, which is amazing (as usual).
5. 2023 Toyota Crown — $41,045
If you want the most fun out of a 2023 Toyota Crown, you’ll need to opt for the top-trim Platinum, which will put you over the $50,000 mark. However, for the low-$40,000 range, you can still get into one of the two lower trims, which are powered by a 236-hp hybrid system. Car and Driver notes that the setup should get the car up to 60 mph in around seconds and return around 41 mpg. That’s pretty exciting for a large hybrid sedan.
The most exciting hybrid sedans are fun in interesting ways
You still may not think that a hybrid sedan can be exciting, but we urge you to try out at least one of these five examples. Sure, they’re not electric sports cars, but they’ll instill some driving fun as you pass the gas pumps on the way to work.
