The second-cheapest hybrid model available in America is the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which is also the brand’s most affordable hybrid. The Corolla Hybrid LE has a starting MSRP of $24,775 that includes destination. That makes it only $130 more expensive than the Ioniq Hybrid, making it perhaps a better choice.
In This Article...
What hybrid from Toyota is the best?
The Toyota Prius Prime is the company’s most energy-efficient hybrid vehicle to date. It is rated with amazing 133 MPGe* and an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy value of 54 MPG. Drivers may travel up to 25 miles on electric power alone.
How much does a hybrid Toyota Prius cost?
The base L Eco model of the 2022 Toyota Prius costs $24,625 to purchase. The LE model starts at $25,835, the XLE trim at $28,845, and the Limited model, which is the highest end of the spectrum, at $32,920. With the LE model and for $830 with the XLE, all-wheel drive is an option.
What is the typical cost of a hybrid Toyota?
The cost of the Toyota Camry hybrid. At $27,380, the starting price of the base 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE is about average for the segment. The most expensive model, the Hybrid XSE, costs $32,820. For fantastic savings at your neighborhood Toyota dealer, check out our U.S. News Best Price Program.
Is buying a hybrid car worthwhile?
We’re getting this one fundamental query more frequently: Is a hybrid worth it? as more hybrid cars hit the market and prices slowly decline.
Although there are numerous factors to consider before making the decision to spend more money on a hybrid car, for the majority of drivers, cost is the primary consideration. In order for you to determine whether a hybrid vehicle makes sense for the way you drive, we’ll go over some fundamental hybrid arithmetic here.
It’s important to keep in mind that the answer to the question is not straightforward until we run some calculations. The value of lowering carbon dioxide emissions and the satisfaction you have from doing so, the sort of power generation in your area, or the cradle-to-grave emissions for a vehicle and its lithium-ion battery might all be taken into account. You may even attempt to place a value on the pleasure of driving an electric vehicle that accelerates instantly or the added comfort of getting into a vehicle that has been preheated by mains power.
To keep things straightforward, though, we’ll concentrate on the price difference between a comparable ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle and a hybrid, and determine how long it will take to make up the difference in fuel savings.
Your driving habits
A few numbers will be necessary for this. The first is an estimate of how much of your driving is done in cities versus on highways. City driving is regarded as stop-and-go traffic for testing purposes, with an average speed of 34 km/h and a top speed of 90 km/h. Highway driving is defined as traveling at speeds between 78 and 97 km/h on interstates and rural roads. According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the ratio of gasoline consumption is 55 percent city and 45 percent highway. The division between your city and highway may be significantly different. When driving in cities, hybrids typically give the greatest fuel savings.
The cost of gasoline where you reside is the second important factor to know. According to Statistics Canada, the average price of regular gas in Edmonton as of January 2019 is $0.92/litre. In Vancouver, a litre costs $1.34. In Toronto, a litre costs $1.02.
How many kilometers you drive annually is the last figure you’ll need to know. It will take much longer to repay the additional expense of a hybrid vehicle if you travel 10,000 less miles per year than if you drive 25,000 more.
Types of hybrids
Hybrids are not created equally. Some people use electricity far more than others. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have larger battery packs that can be recharged from an electrical outlet in comparison to mild hybrids that can charge on their own. PHEVs produce no tailpipe emissions when operating exclusively on electricity. Your driving style has a significant impact on the annual operating cost of plug-in vehicles. A PHEV makes sense if you primarily do short trips (3050 km) and have access to overnight charging.
The calculation
Take the difference in purchase price and divide it by the difference in annual fuel cost to determine whether a hybrid is cost-effective. That will tell you how many years of driving it will take to make up for the higher initial cost of a hybrid.
In other words: Years to recover hybrid cost = Purchase Price Delta / Annual Cost Delta.
A helpful tool for evaluating vehicles is the online “fuel consumption ratings search tool” from NRCan.
We’ll make the same assumptions as NRCan for the examples below: 20,000 miles per year, 55 percent city, ordinary gas at $1.02 per litre, and electricity at $0.13 per kWh.
Toyota Rav4
Costing $32,090, the 2019 Toyota Rav4 hybrid AWD. Costs for a standard Rav4 AWD are $30,690. The difference in buying price is $1,400. Fuel costs for the hybrid will be $1,224 annually, while those for the standard Rav4 will be $1,693. The difference in cost per year is $469.
Continue with us? As a result, 1,400/469 = 2.99 years. After that, owning a hybrid will be less expensive.
Honda Accord
Costs for the 2019 Accord Hybrid Touring are $41,876 plus $1,020 in year fuel costs. The Touring grade without a hybrid costs $37,876 and $1,550 annually. To make up the gap in this example, it would take around 7.5 years. It would take 5.8 years if you reside in Vancouver, where the cost of gas is $1.32 a litre.
You’ll recover the additional cost of the hybrid in 1.2 years when compared to the Accord 2.0 Touring, which costs $40,876 and features a thirstier 2.0-litre engine.
Kia Niro and the trouble with estimating PHEV cost
Fuel expenditures for the standard Kia Niro hybrid are $938 per year. The annual maintenance fee for the front-wheel drive Kia Sportage SUV is $1,877. After only a few months, the Niro hybrid will become more affordable because the difference in purchase price is only $200.
The Niro is also offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which has annual gas and energy expenses of $33,965 and $753/year. Compare that to a similarly equipped Niro hybrid’s $29,695 and $979 yearly cost. You won’t make back the additional expense until you drive the PHEV for more than 17 years. That may sound terrible for a PHEV, but it can be deceptive. Depending on how you drive, the NRCan annual cost estimate that we are providing here may be drastically off. You might quickly recoup the investment if you generally make short journeys and run down the battery before starting the gas engine. Or, if you never plug the PHEV in, you might never recoup the additional expense. Remember that the NRCan estimate uses an assumed power price of $0.13 per kWh, but if you charge overnight, as most people do, the price in Ontario is now $0.065 per kWh, which is half that amount. The employment of different PHEVs’ gas and electric motors creates comparative challenges, which further complicates problems. But we’re now getting really lost in the weeds.
Is it worth it?
There isn’t a firm rule in this situation, so I apologize if you didn’t want to perform all that arithmetic. As you can see, the time it takes for any hybrid to make up for the extra cost depends greatly on your driving habits, the cost of petrol where you reside, and how far you go. From brand to brand and model to model, there are huge differences in the extra pricing for hybrids. If you reside in British Columbia or Quebec, the government provides sizeable discounts on PHEVs, which frequently tips the cost equation in favor of greener options. However, conducting your research could end up saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the course of your next vehicle.
Is buying a hybrid worth it?
Savings: You will frequently save on fuel prices because hybrid vehicles help you save on gas. There are still other potential savings though! You’ll ultimately save more money because to the tax breaks that many jurisdictions provide to people who drive electric or hybrid cars.
How durable are Toyota hybrid vehicles?
The majority of hybrid car manufacturers claim that a battery pack will typically last 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. Toyota went one step further prior to 2020 by providing a warranty that covered its hybrid batteries for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever came first.
What are the drawbacks of a hybrid vehicle?
Hybrids are less heavily built, more financially advantageous, and have a greater resale value. They also charge themselves through regenerative braking. Although they have drawbacks, their benefits sometimes outweigh them.
Eco-friendly: Because hybrids have both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, they utilize less fossil fuel and emit less greenhouse gases as a result. Additionally, they get better gas mileage than regular cars do.
Financial advantages: Tax credits and incentives for hybrid vehicle owners and buyers have been implemented by numerous governments throughout the world. Additionally, they are not subject to environmental fees.
Higher resale value: People are becoming more inclined to switch to hybrids as they become weary of gas price swings and care about the environment. As a result, these automobiles’ resale value keeps rising.
Lighter cars: Because hybrids are made of lightweight materials, they use less energy to operate. Their lighter weight and smaller engines also aid in energy conservation.
Regenerative braking: Hybrid vehicles use a mechanism known as regenerative braking that allows the battery to somewhat recharge whenever the driver applies the brakes. The method extends the amount of time between manual recharges for the driver.
Less power: Hybrid vehicles combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine, with the gasoline engine acting as the primary source of power. As a result, neither the gasoline engine nor the electric motor operate as effectively as they do in standard gasoline or electric cars. But regular drivers who often navigate the city do just fine with hybrid vehicles.
Hybrids are generally more expensive to purchase than regular vehicles at first.
Higher operating costs: Due to their engine and the constant advancement of technology, it may be difficult to locate a technician with the necessary skills. Additionally, they might charge you a little bit more for upkeep and repairs. Moreover, replacing the battery has the highest running cost.
Poor handling: Compared to normal vehicles, hybrids have additional machinery, which adds weight and lowers fuel economy. In order to save weight, hybrid car makers had to create smaller engines and batteries. However, the vehicle’s power and body and suspension support are reduced as a result.
Risk of electrocution: Because hybrid batteries have a high voltage, there is a higher chance that accident victims and first responders will be electrocuted.
A hybrid vehicle combines an electric motor with a gas or diesel engine. When the car is moving at a slower pace, the electric motor drives the wheels. As the speed of the car increases, the gas engine takes over. The batteries are also charged by the motor, and each time the driver applies the brakes, regenerative braking charges the batteries.
What about Toyota hybrids?
In the 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey, self-charging hybrid electric cars from Toyota received perfect scores of 100 percent. The findings derived from the replies of more than 18,000 British drivers confirm the technology, developed by Toyota since 1997, is of enduring quality and endurance.
Is a Prius worth the money?
The Toyota Prius is a reliable vehicle, yes. It offers a spacious load hold and outperforms practically all other hybrid vehicles in terms of fuel efficiency. A long number of features and plenty of comfy seating are also present. Its poor driving qualities, though, include slow steering response and subpar acceleration.
What drawbacks come with owning a Toyota Prius?
Since its launch, the Toyota Prius has been one of the most popular hybrid cars available. Although rival automakers attempt to replicate the Prius’s popularity, Toyota continues to dominate the hybrid market. The fourth-generation Toyota Prius, which debuted in 2018, has several great features to offer, including its plug-in model, the Prius Prime, which was added to the lineup in 2017.
Due to the Prius’ recent redesign in 2016, don’t anticipate too many modifications till 2019. The 2018 Toyota Prius has many upgrades over the 2017 models in terms of features and specifications. Toyota’s new TNGA platform is now being used to construct the Prius. The greatest difference for this year is that all models now come standard with alloy wheels.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Toyota PriusThe Pros
1. Excellent Fuel Efficiency
The 2018 Toyota Prius has outstanding fuel efficiency. No matter which trim level you select, you will get roughly 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway. Finding something else with as good of a fuel efficiency is challenging, thus the Prius naturally benefits greatly from this.
2. A large interior
The 2018 Toyota Prius’ cabin is surprisingly roomy for such a compact car. Although those in the back seats might feel a little crammed, those in the front seats will have plenty of head, shoulder, and leg room.
3. A number of Regular Active Safety Features
It is hardly surprising that the Prius boasts a lengthy list of standard and available active safety measures given how highly Toyota values safety. Pre-Collision warning, pedestrian recognition, automatic high beams, and Lane-Departure alert are all parts of the Toyota Safety Sense suite that are included as standard equipment on all models.
4. User-Friendly Controls
The 2018 Toyota Prius has controls that are all easily accessible and have clear markings. No need to speculate as to what a knob or button might do. From the driver’s position, it is simple to access all controls, and a number of significant controls are mounted on the steering wheel.
5. Simple Entry and Exit
It’s simple to get in and out of the car, especially up front. There is adequate height for persons of any stature to swing their legs out, and doors swing out fairly far. Additionally, you won’t have to be concerned about exiting without hitting your head on the doorframe.
6. Excellent Side and Front Visibility
Although rear view is limited, front roof pillars are sufficiently thin to provide good front and side visibility. Drivers won’t have any trouble determining how far their front bumper is from another car or the sidewalk thanks to the excellent, large front windshield.
7. There is Ample Cargo Space
The 2018 Toyota Prius has a surprisingly significant amount of cargo space, despite the fact that it may not seem like it. It is possible to maximize the luggage capacity by folding down the 60/40 split rear seats, which makes it simple to transport heavy objects.
The Infotainment System, 8.
One of the best systems available is the infotainment system from Toyota. The standard Prius comes equipped with a four-speaker radio system, Bluetooth, USB connector, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display. As you move up in trim levels, you can add satellite radio, navigation, and the Etune app suite to the mix for a fairly affordable price.
9. Flexible Steering
On the Prius, steering feels responsive and intuitive. Any driver will observe that they receive a lot of feedback, particularly about how the steering system handles challenging curves and twisting roads. You will feel more confident performing these kinds of turns as you obtain smaller tires.
Secure Handling 10.
The Prius handles well and is a fairly sporty little car. While driving in most weather conditions, the car seems quite balanced and steady despite the tires’ little lack of traction.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Toyota PriusThe Cons
1. Riding Comfort
The 2018 Toyota Prius features a firm ride quality, which is perhaps its major flaw. The tires are undoubtedly made to provide decent mileage rather than to cushion every bump on the road. Even the Prius c hatchback is a little more pleasant than the standard Prius, which can be very bumpy when driving over even the slightest amount of bad road topography.
2. Slow Accumulation
The Prius is not particularly good at accelerating. Although the Prius can accelerate reasonably well compared to other cars in its class, it is designed for fuel efficiency rather than cruising at high speeds. You may need to think about purchasing a totally new vehicle if you want something with a little more oomph.
3. Subpar interior components
The Toyota Prius has this drawback with some of Toyota’s other contemporary models. The inside has the appearance of being made with inferior materials. The cloth upholstery and several of the knobs and buttons appear to be prone to wear and tear with time, even though nothing appears to be about to break at any second.
4. Loud Cabin While Highway Speeds
There is no mistaking it: this car is not silent! When trying to get the Toyota Prius to travel beyond 55 miles per hour on the highway, you will have to put up with a lot of road, wind, and engine noise in addition to its stiff ride quality. The engine frequently complains when the car is pressed to move fast, and the cabin appears to lack the necessary insulation to keep part of the outside noise out.
How it compares to the opposition:
With its 58 mpg fuel efficiency, which is unquestionably best-in-class for this year, the 2018 Hyundai Inoiq Hybrid is a top-tier rival for the Prius. The Ioniq, on the other hand, is less roomy and has a smaller plug-in range.
Despite having a lower fuel economy than previous models, the 2018 Honda Civic Hybrid performs well on highways and in cities. The Civic is quite roomy and has a ton of safety equipment.
Overall, the 2018 Toyota Prius is a roomy, very fuel-efficient vehicle. The Prius is still one of the top hybrid sales performers due to its focus on fuel efficiency, even if it will need to step it up in 2019 to compete with newer hybrid models from other automakers.