"Compliance cars" like the hybrid Alfa Romeo Tonale, meaning low-emissions vehicles that are built primarily to meet emissions guidelines, are regarded as the unwanted misfits and by-products of the automotive industry. They're often produced at a loss, because the automakers don't want to make them, the sellers don't want to sell them, and the buyers don't want to buy them.If you ask us, though, the stigma attached to these cars isn't always fair. They might not have been developed or produced with the intention of making drivers happy, but that doesn't mean they can't do just that. The cool thing about these cars is that, even if it's not love at first drive, you could wind up liking them for the right price, which might be easy to negotiate when you consider that the dealers just want to be rid of them. 2025 Dodge Hornet R/T Dodge Dealers Still Have 131 Hornets To Get Rid Dodge Hornet - group shotA rebadged Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Dodge Hornet's short, underwhelming legacy is that of a nameplate introduced to launch the hybrid R/T and get emissions regulators off Dodge's back. Dodge's inventory page still has 131 of these vehicles for sale at the time of writing, with 18 listings for the entry-level hybrid. Net pricing is typically around $43,640, which is above MSRP, but the average time these cars spend on the lot is longer than a full year, which gives you plenty of negotiating leverage.We're not going to tell you that the Hornet R/T is going to be your new favorite, but, when we reviewed the 2025 model, we noted that it was "more fun than it actually needs to be." If you're after a peppy daily driver with a hybrid powertrain, the Hornet is surprisingly charming. 2021 Honda Clarity PHEV Depreciation Has Amplified The Clarity's Appeal 2020 Honda Clarity (9)The best thing about the Honda Clarity is its impressive 42-mpg combined fuel economy. When we reviewed the car last, for the 2021 model year, we noted that it was more powerful than the 121-hp Prius, roomier than the entry-level Honda Insight, and available with leather seats in the Touring trim, which is nice to see in a budget car.When it was brand new, we felt the price was a bit high for what's really a middling daily driver, but, with prices trending at around half the original MSRP, the car's shortcomings are very easy to forgive. 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid Not To Be Confused With The New Crosstrek Hybrid 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid (1)Introduced for the first generation, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid was a capable all-wheel drive SUV that was only sold in 10 states. The plug-in's hybridized 2.0-liter flat-four offered a 12-point hp boost over the ICE model, with 163 lb-ft of torque, and it was available in two trims, being the standard Hybrid, and the Touring model, adding leather seats, smart device integration, a sunroof, and a navigation system.If you can find one, these SUVs can be had for under $10,000, on average, and they offer an early example of Subaru hybridizing one of its most popular SUVs. 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV Toyota Was Too Far Ahead Of The Infrastructure On This One 2012 - 2014 Toyota RAV4 EV front 3/4 angledIn the push towards electrification, Toyota went hybrid, and has wound up taking that segment over as its de facto leader. As such, the brand never really had a compliance hybrid on the market. But it did have two generations of the Toyota RAV4 EV. The first-gen model can be considered experimental, while the second is widely regarded as a compliance electric based on its low sales volume, moving just over 1,100 units in its best sales year, and selling exclusively in California.Powered by a Tesla-developed electric motor, the RAV4 EV cranked out an impressive 273 lb-ft of torque, and hit 60 mph in seven seconds via front-wheel drive. Checking the used market, we've found RAV4 EVs as far out as New Hampshire, where a 68,793-mile 2014 model is selling for $10,995, confirming that these cars fall neatly under the definition of "rare, but cheap." 2024 Acura ZDX It Does The Basics Well 2024 Acura ZDX Type SThe second-gen Acura ZDX did okay for a compliance car, selling 7,391 units in its solitary sales year. Some compliance cars aren't even produced in such numbers. Still, the car's abrupt goodbye only confirms that the car was introduced just to ensure that Acura retained access to CARB states like California and New Mexico.Reviewing the car when it was brand-new, we noted that the entry-level model was adequate, but run-of-the-mill. The Type S with its Sport mode and Brembo brakes, was only mildly impressive at an MSRP of $73,500, but, a couple years since its discontinuation, at a trending price of $42,075 and falling, it's worth a test-drive. 2026 Nissan Rogue PHEV The Nissan Rogue PHEV Is Already Being Replaced After One Model Year 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid front three-quarterWe can say that we like the Nissan Rogue PHEV because it's just a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and we like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV well enough. The Nissan Rogue PHEV is only here to keep the brand CARB-compliant while Nissan's engineers perfect its revised e-Power platform, but it's an appealing SUV in its own right, with 38 miles of all-electric range and standard all-wheel drive.When we took this car for a test-drive, we found it punchy and surprisingly fun to drive. We dug the charming, boxy look, reminding us of some of the chunkier SUVs of the '00s, and we found the driving experience a bit more pleasant than that of the Mitsubishi plug-in. This SUV is about to become a one-year oddity, as the 2027 Rogue plug-in will launch on the e-Power platform. Our advice: if you want a good deal, wait until the 2027 model comes out before you go shopping for a 2026 Rogue hybrid. 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe The Wrangler 4xe Was Sold Globally, But An Abrupt Discontinuation Feels Very Compliance-y 2024 - 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Hybrid JL (4th Gen) Facelift (38)The Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a good example of how compliance cars aren't always neatly defined. The 4xe accounted for one in three Wrangler sales in 2024, but it was abruptly discontinued following evaporation of the tax credits, the Trump administration's pushback against the EPA and CARB mandates, and a worrying fire hazard recall. We're calling it a compliance car because, as soon as Jeep was told it no longer had to comply, the brand dropped this thing like a bad habit.We liked this SUV for the same reason we like the Jeep Wrangler. It's a rugged off-roader that offers an open-air driving experience, and can climb over pretty much anything you throw at it. The plug-in hybrid version adds impressive fuel economy to the mix. What's not to like? 2023 Lincoln Aviator Hybrid This Forgotten Compliance Car Was The Most Powerful Production Vehicle Lincoln Ever Built 2020 Lincoln Aviator PHEV(1)Sometimes a compliance vehicle is "pretty good for something that was only produced on a technicality." Other times, you wonder why it didn't turn out to be a major hit. The Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring was a 494-horse monster with a twin-turbo V6 under the hood, clearing 60 mph in just over five seconds. It stands as Lincoln's most powerful production vehicle, and likely the most powerful compliance car ever made.Lincoln only sold around 90 of these SUVs a year while it was on the market. If you're lucky enough to find one for sale, they usually go for anywhere from $22,000 to $50,000, depending on mileage.Sources: Lincoln, Jeep, Nissan, Acura, Toyota, Stellantis, Honda, Subaru.