Hybrid vehicles are slowly taking over the automotive industry. One day EVs could dominate on roads, but it will take plenty of time, innovation, and new EV nameplates for electric vehicles to thrive. The majority of vehicles on American roads today are still gas-powered. Automakers like Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, and more are producing capable hybrid vehicles that are causing more consumers to look at vehicles with hybrid powertrains as viable options. Do drivers really save money by driving a hybrid vehicle, or are potential savings just a marketing strategy for pricey hybrid models?

Do drivers really save money with a hybrid?

Not all hybrid vehicles are created equally. Some hybrid vehicles have better fuel economy and more fuel tank capacity than others. Hybrids that save money have great gas mileage and plenty of fuel tank capacity.

If you want a hybrid car that saves big bucks at the pump, look no further than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The 2023 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starts at $27,950. It achieves a whopping 50 miles per gallon in the city and 54 miles per gallon on the highway. The Sonata Hybrid can hold 13.2 gallons of gas.

Hyundai’s midsize hybrid car can travel for at least 686 miles on a full tank of gas. That driving range makes it one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. The Honda Civic is one of the most popular new cars in America. The Civic only gets around 465 miles of driving range on a full tank. Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid can take drivers 221 miles further than the Civic can on a single tank of gas.

If a driver kept a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid for the average new vehicle ownership period (8.4 years), they would save thousands of dollars on fuel costs. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid owners have to refuel fewer times than drivers of gas vehicles.

What hybrid vehicles are the most popular?

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is rapidly becoming more popular. The small hybrid SUV is a version of America’s most popular SUV with a hybrid powertrain system. It achieves 41 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

The RAV4 Hybrid has a total driving range of over 572 miles on a full tank. It is one of the most fuel-efficient small SUVs. The RAV4 Hybrid is getting attention because it’s affordable, practical, and great for small families. The small SUV only costs $2,600 more than the gas version. Other popular hybrid vehicles include the Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Honda Insight, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, and many more.

How long do hybrid cars last?

Hybrid cars have the potential to last for as long as gas vehicles. There’s nothing inherently unreliable about vehicles with hybrid powertrain systems. These vehicles may be more complex, but that doesn’t mean that they’re doomed to have mechanical issues.

The Toyota Prius is one of the oldest hybrid nameplates available. CarComplaints.com has very few complaints listed for the last six Prius model years. The Prius’ reliability has dramatically improved over the last decade, and automakers like Toyota benefit by using similar hybrid tech in other vehicles. Are we entering the golden age of hybrid vehicles?

Read more about the popular Toyota RAV4 Hybrid in the next article below.