There’s no finer feeling than scoring a great deal on a second-hand car (well, maybe buying a brand new Ferrari), but the high from saving some cash can be heightened even further if the vehicle you’re purchasing happens to be a hybrid.
Hybrids combine an internal-combustion engine (ICE) with a battery-powered electric motor, the two either working separately or in tandem to deliver the best performance and fuel economy, meaning you’ll save money when you pull up to the petrol station to fill the tank.
As an added bonus, you’ll be cutting down on the harmful emissions emitted from your car’s tailpipe, thus doing your part to ease the pollution that’s currently giving Mother Earth a nasty case of emphysema.
Here’s a list of the best second-hand hybrid cars in Australia that you’ll find for sale on CarsGuide.com.au. You won’t find many for under $20,000 – and likely none under $10,000 – but there’s still plenty of bargains to be had.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Price: From $17,990 to $29,990, plus on-road costs
Toyota is the car company behind the Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, so it’s safe to say it knows a thing or two about effectively combining an ICE with an electric motor. Known for being sturdy and dependable, a Corolla is a good bet when it comes to second-hand hybrid cars.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Price: From $27,990 to $44,990, plus on-road costs
The word “sensible” in car form, the Toyota Camry has long been the go-to car for taxis, Ubers and government fleets, thanks to its no-nonsense functionality and reliability. And a Camry Hybrid that saves you in fuel costs? Can’t get more sensible than that.
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Price: From $37,990 to $61,990, plus on-road costs
Toyota sells a whole raft of its RAV4 compact SUV in Australia, and the majority of those are hybrids, meaning there’s no shortage of them if you’re searching for second-hand hybrid cars in Australia. There are a few different variants – Cruiser, GX, GXL – and they come as either two-wheel drive (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Premium
Price: From $36,999 to $45,743, plus on-road costs
Korean car manufacturer Hyundai has done a bang-up job securing a decent share of new car sales in Australia thanks to good build quality, excellent performance and reasonable prices. The Ioniq also comes as an increasingly popular all-electric vehicle.
Nissan Pathfinder ST Hybrid
Price: From $35,990, plus on-road costs
This mid-size SUV is the baby brother of the rough and rugged Nissan Patrol, a favourite among off-roading enthusiasts. It may not pack as much punch as a 4×4 Patrol, but the Pathfinder ST Hybrid still has plenty to offer, including decent fuel efficiency.
Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed PHEV
Price: From $35,990 to $44,990, plus on-road costs
Mitsubishi has proven itself to be a bit of a master when it comes to hybrid technology, and has offered hybrid and PHEV in Australia for several years now. Yes, you’ll need to plug this model into an external source to charge, but it has a bigger battery than a standard hybrid, meaning more all-electric driving range for you.
Lexus ES300h Sports Luxury Hybrid
Price: From $46,999 to $86,990, plus on-road costs
Lexus is Toyota’s luxury sub-brand, so you can expect the same kind of reliability and dependability that Toyota has built its name on. The ES300h Sports Luxury Hybrid, as you may guess from the name, doesn’t skimp on performance or comfort, although it is at the higher end of the price spectrum.
Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV
Price: From $139,990 to $149,990, plus on-road costs
Volvo’s PHEV version of its XC90 is an expensive second-hand buy since it hasn’t been in the Australian marketplace for long, but it does have the same advantage of other PHEVs (a bigger battery for all-electric driving). There’s a hybrid version kicking about as well, should you be after a cheaper variant with a self-charging battery.
Subaru XV Hybrid
Price: From $24,488 to $39,990, plus on-road costs
This small SUV from Subaru is probably the kind of car that people buy to drive in the city, rather than do anything remotely resembling off-roading. Which is fine, since city driving, with all the stopping and starting in traffic, is perfect for hybrid tech, which can switch off the ICE when idling, or driving at slow speeds.
Kia Niro HEV Sport Hybrid
Price: From $41,890 to $45,990, plus on-road costs
This small SUV from Kia is another newish model, so expect only a moderate discount from the brand-new sticker price, rather than something substantial. It’s on the larger end of the small SUV spectrum though, and offers good fuel economy.
Keyword: The top 10 best used hybrid cars in Australia