4 Best 2025 Hybrid Cars for People on a Frugal Budget
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Chris Cluff
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Though electric vehicles are all the rage these days, they’re not always the ideal choice for consumers. Not only do they require more planning and strategy — given that you need to charge them regularly, which can be challenging when embarking on long road trips — they’re also typically much more expensive than traditional cars, which makes owning them quite difficult for people on a tight budget.
Perhaps you can have the best of both worlds: a hybrid car, which uses both electronic technology and gas. They sport far better fuel economy than traditional cars and are more eco-friendly, too. But there are so many hybrid cars on the market these days, which can make it difficult for you to determine which ones are the best for your budget.
Fortunately, Mike Hanley, a senior road test editor at Cars.com, took the time to chat with GOBankingRates to lay out which are the best hybrid cars for people on frugal budgets.
2025 Kia Niro Hybrid
- Estimated MSRP: $28,385 to $42,185
Kia has a great reputation, and this specific model has a rating of 8.5 out of 10 from Car and Driver. The new 2025 plug-in-hybrid version boasts extra power and a unique design. It is a good, well-equipped, small SUV that is best for those looking for fuel efficiency without the need for speed.
Hanley — and Cars.com at large — is really digging the Kia Niro Hybrid.
“Redesigned last year, the Kia Niro Hybrid won Cars.com’s Best Car of 2023 award thanks to its compelling combination of style, efficiency, utility and value,” Hanley said.
“With EPA-estimated gas mileage as high as 53 mpg combined and added practicality, courtesy of its hatchback body style, the Niro Hybrid offers a lot of practicality at a starting price of around $28,000, including destination.”
2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid
- Estimated MSRP: $27,990 to $42,190
The 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a pickup truck that can do “a little work when you need it to, gets good gas mileage and doesn’t cost a ton,” Hanley said.
Car and Driver gave it a rating of 10 out of 10 due to its 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with optional all-wheel drive which increases the max towing capacity to 4000 pounds. All 2025 Maverick models come with a larger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid
- Estimated MSRP: $36,045 to $42,495
Although it comes in at a higher price point than other hybrid electric vehicles, it makes up for it by improving the fuel economy of your gas budget. CR-V Hybrid takes all the perks of the standard CR-V and adds more efficiency with a well-refined hybrid powertrain.
Impressive fuel economy ratings, polished hybrid powertrain and a spacious and practical cargo space make this a must-buy for the most frugal of drivers.
2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Estimated MSRP: $29,835 to $37,560
The 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid is an excellent choice for those on a frugal budget who are looking for more wiggle room than the 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid.
“The mid-size Camry Hybrid has more space for people and cargo,” Hanley said.
Often, larger vehicles aren’t considered fuel-efficient cars. That’s not the case with this one.
“Even though it’s a bigger car, it actually gets better estimated gas mileage — as high as 52 mpg combined,” Hanley said. “You pay a bit more for the extra room and efficiency, however, as the Camry Hybrid starts around $30,000.”
Final Take To GO: Are Hybrid Cars Worth the Cost?
The bottom line is that when looking for a new hybrid car, you may be comparing price points to traditional cars — especially if you’re on a frugal budget.
The nice news is that the price of 2025 hybrids, generally, isn’t much more expensive than good ‘ole regular cars that are fresh off the lot. 2025 is looking to be a good model year for comfortable rides and semi-electric driving.
“When you look at all new hybrid vehicles, including larger vehicles and luxury models, the average price for the class is approaching $50,000 — similar to the average price of new cars in general,” Hanley said. “The prices of these vehicles [listed] significantly undercut this average.”
Nicole Spector contributed to the reporting for this article.
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact year, make or model of the vehicle(s) listed in this article.
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