Best Hybrid Car for the Money in 2023 Isn’t Toyota Prius
While there are an endless number of hybrid vehicles available, the Toyota Prius helped popularize the segment more than two decades ago. Along with its high fuel economy, it’s an affordable car for the masses. And the iconic model is better than ever with a redesign for the 2023 model year. However, according to U.S. News and World Report, the best hybrid car for the money in 2023 isn’t the 2023 Toyota Prius. It’s the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.
2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is the best hybrid car for the money, says US News
The Toyota Prius has long offered eco-minded automotive shoppers an affordable choice for the hybrid segment. It has a low purchase price, and the high fuel economy helps save money on gas.
However, this year, U.S. News selected another model for its budget-friendly rankings. It named the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid the best hybrid car for the money in 2023.
In choosing the Elantra Hybrid over the Prius and other models in the segment, U.S. News looked at two factors: value and quality. For value, the media site viewed the purchase price and the five-year cost of ownership for hybrid vehicles. Also, for the quality factor, U.S. News incorporated the scores from its best car rankings.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: Low price, high fuel economy, and generous warranty coverage
There are multiple value elements that make the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid a U.S. News best hybrid car for the money. For one, it has a low purchase price. It starts at only $24,550 MSRP, compared to $27,450 MSRP for the 2023 Toyota Prius. In times of high inflation and rising new car prices, the Elantra Hybrid remains an affordable option.
Another factor is high fuel economy. The Elantra Hybrid gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 53 city/56 highway mpg. While this efficiency rating is slightly lower for city driving compared to the Prius (57 city/56 highway mpg), it’s one of the best in the segment.
Furthermore, the Elantra Hybrid has very generous warranty coverage. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the Prius only has a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The longer warranty coverage translates to less money spent on repairs and parts replacement.
Additionally, while both vehicles offer a free maintenance plan, the coverage for the Elantra is longer. It comes standard with a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan, compared to a 2-year/25,000-mile program for the Prius.
Other positive qualities of the 2023 Elantra Hybrid
The 2023 Elantra Hybrid has other positive qualities. It features a stylish exterior design — with the distinctive Hyundai grille and angular surfaces. Also, the cabin is surprisingly spacious and comes standard with many useful technologies.
Additionally, the powertrain delivers peppy acceleration. Plus, the driving dynamics are good, with responsive handling and a smooth ride.
The best hybrid car for the money is the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, according to U.S. News — not the 2023 Toyota Prius. With its low purchase price, high fuel economy, and generous warranty coverage, the Elantra Hyrbid is a solid pick for budget-minded automotive shoppers.
