Hybrid Cars With the Best MPGAlan Muir - MotorTrendIt wasn't that long ago when purchasing a hybrid car meant sacrificing performance, comfort, and style in the name of saving a few bucks at the pump. Thankfully, those days are well behind us. Today's new hybrids aren't just more efficient than their predecessors, they're also more powerful and more enjoyable to drive than before, powering vehicle types ranging from sports cars to family sedans, SUVs, and minivans. They're better-looking, too, meaning shoppers aren't stuck being seen in a rolling lozenge anymore, with a diversity of styling options from which to choose. What follows are the newest hybrid cars with the best mpg you can buy in 2026 from the 2026 and 2027 model years, sorted by their combined mileage number—six of them even top 50 mpg combined.1) Honda Prelude | 46/41/44 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendHonda's reborn-for-2026 Prelude is the least efficient hybrid on this list, yet we're sure you'll agree that sacrificing a couple mpg from the Civic Hybrid it's based on in favor of more thrilling performance is a worthwhile trade-off. This 2+2 coupe is relatively quick and fun to drive on winding back roads, thanks to suspension parts borrowed from Honda's Civic Type R. Although we prefer some of the Prelude's direct sports car competitors, in the context of this list of hybrids, there's no better balance of sporty intentions and miserly fuel economy.Read Our Experts' Full Review of the Honda Prelude2) Lexus ES350h | 48/44/46 mpgPhoto credit: Brian Vance - MotorTrendThe hybrid versions of the luxurious Lexus ES have typically found their way onto lists like these, and the new-for-2026 ES is no exception. It's bigger, bolder, and more efficient than before, and the ES is now only available with hybrid or EV powertrains. The ES350h is the most efficient hybrid of the new ES bunch, and like the others, it offers a handsome, minimalistic cabin, spacious back seat, and bladder-bursting performance thanks largely to the sixth-generation Lexus-ized version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system and large fuel tank, netting an EPA-estimated 667 miles of range with front-wheel drive, or 637 miles with all-wheel drive.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Lexus ES3) Honda Accord Hybrid | 51/44/48 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendAlthough the Sonata and Camry top it in terms of transparent mpg ratings, the Honda Accord Hybrid counters with more power and performance than its Korean rival and a better 0–60-mph time than the Camry. In general, Honda has positioned its hybrid cars at the top of their respective model trim ladders, meaning they get some of the best features and are also the highest priced. There are a few downsides, namely wind noise at highway speeds and a slightly dead-feeling steering that dulls the experience. On the other hand, its quality interior, spacious front row, excellent ride, and stable handling make it worth a look.Read Our Experts' Full Review of the Honda Accord Hybrid4) Honda Civic Hybrid | 50/47/49 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendOne of the easiest hybrid cars to recommend is the Honda Civic Hybrid. Blending a reasonable sticker price with a powertrain that's extremely fuel efficient and surprisingly sporty (it's essentially the same powertrain as the Prelude), the Civic Hybrid is an all-around winner as a daily driver. Honda's best mpg hybrid looks and drives very well, all while providing its occupants with a comfortable and chic interior. At $30,590 to start, it's not the cheapest compact car, as the Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid variants are high up in the Civic range. But with 50 city mpg and 232 lb-ft of torque, along with an interior as well designed as it is spacious, these Civics are worth it.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Honda Civic Hybrid5) Toyota Corolla Hybrid | 53/46/50 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendBarely beating the excellent Civic in mpg terms, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid makes a dramatic value proposition at just under $26,500 to start. Granted, its Civic rival comes with more performance and overall fun-to-drive appeal. Offering less space, much less power (to the point of being downright slow), and a somewhat worse interior make the Corolla Hybrid a trade-off rather than a clear, outright winner over the Civic Hybrid. The strongest case for Toyota's cheapest hybrid is its combination of impressive efficiency and low starting price.Read Our Experts' Full Review of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid6) Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 47/56/51 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendIn the ever-shrinking budget midsize sedan segment, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid remains a serious contender. That it offers 51 mpg combined is no mean feat on its own, especially when considering the overall comfort the Sonata Hybrid also provides. In addition, its sleek yet cyberpunk aesthetic is both more daring and more attractive than that of its hybrid midsize sedan counterparts. Unfortunately, those good looks aren't matched by its performance; the Sonata Hybrid is slow and rather soft.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid7) Toyota Camry | 52/49/51 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendTied with the Sonata Hybrid is the Toyota Camry, even beating the majority of its smaller compact sedan counterparts. It also competes with them on price. You can park new a Camry in your driveway for as little as $30,895, making the value of this Toyota even more obvious. Beyond just being a cheap way to get a lot of interior and cargo space, the Camry looks stylish, it makes more power than anything else in its class, and you can also option it up with all-wheel drive. Ride comfort is excellent, as is its handling, though that's less so with the more efficient front-wheel-drive model.Read Our Experts' Full Review of the Toyota Camry8) Kia Niro | 53/54/53 mpgPhoto credit: KiaShopping for an efficient, practical, and affordable hybrid? It's tough to beat the updated-for-2027 Kia Niro. Although we call it a car, the Niro's SUV-like styling is a boon for everyday usability, offering a large cargo area, well-sized back seat, and plenty of storage. While the Niro is far from the quickest hybrid on the road (and it isn't available with AWD like others on this list), it more than makes up for it in both style and tech, with all Niros featuring dual-zone climate control, app connectivity, and a full suite of active safety technologies.AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts Full Review of the Kia Niro9) Hyundai Elantra Hybrid | 51/58/54 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendThe most efficient compact hybrid sedan you can buy today is the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, a car that offers the most efficiency in the segment at its sub-$27,000 entry point. The Elantra lineup in general is great, but unless you want the extremely sporty Elantra N, the Elantra Hybrid is the best option. That's partly because it accomplishes the task of moving you and yours in comfort and with some measure of style—all while using the least amount of fuel. And the best part about it is that it does it all at a great price.Read Our Experts' Full Review of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid10) Toyota Prius | 57/56/57 mpgPhoto credit: MotorTrendThe original hybrid sensation is still the best gas mileage hybrid car you can buy: the Toyota Prius. No longer a slow, ugly duckling, the Prius is now at least as much of a fashion statement as it is an environmental statement. Starting at $30,050, this former MotorTrend Car of the Year winner offers more style and performance than the Corolla Hybrid—justifying its upcharge in our mind. The sleek bodywork is now as slippery as it is beautiful, further helping to make the Prius the most fuel-efficient car on this list. There are some unfortunate drawbacks to this otherwise magnificent hatchback: Rear headroom is compromised by the sloping roofline, and the overly designed gauge cluster is often unreadable due to its orientation in the dashboard. But hey—can you really put a price on fashion?AdvertisementAdvertisementRead Our Experts' Full Review of the Toyota Prius