Lightly used vehicles offer the most value in the sub-$30,000 hybrid space. Thanks to the proliferation of these alternative powertrain vehicles, there’s no shortage of great examples to choose from. As a bonus, you’ll avoid the worst of the new-car depreciation hit. Better still, you have your choice of a compact pickup, several SUVs, and even a few sedans. Whether you are looking for an ultra-frugal commuter car or a capable family vehicle, there is something on this list for you.
Here are 10 of the best used hybrids you’ll find under $30,000.
1. 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 40 mpg combined (41/38 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 580 miles
A perennial favorite in its non-hybrid form, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a fantastic combination of fuel efficiency and capability — and all-wheel drive (AWD) comes standard on every trim. Keen shoppers may be able to find even top-spec Limited trims available on our budget, but the midrange XLE is a more likely find and still nicely equipped. LED projector headlights, an 8-way power driver’s seat, a power moonroof, faux leather seating, and 18-inch alloy wheels are among the XLE’s highlights. Shopping tip: If you can find the Limited on our budget, you’ll get an 11-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer, too.
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2. 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 38 mpg combined (40/35 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 532 miles
The 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid is a fan favorite even in its combustion-only form. In its hybrid guise, the CR-V gets standard AWD and the Honda Sensing safety suite. The whole CR-V Hybrid range may fit within our budget, although Touring models may be just out of reach. The midrange EX-L is a great alternative. It has leather upholstery, LED exterior lighting, heated front seats, a power moonroof, a power tailgate, and a heated steering wheel.
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3. 2022 Toyota Prius
Fuel Economy: 52 mpg combined (54/50 mpg city/highway)
Range: 588 miles
The 2022 Toyota Prius is a predictable choice, but only because it’s a reliably good choice for so many people. In fact, the only surprise is that it’s not at the top of the list. To be fair to the Prius, the 2022 model was the last of the previous generation. Fortunately for you, that means it had all the kinks worked out — and on our budget, even the top-spec Limited model is within reach, including features like a power moonroof, JBL premium audio, a color head-up display, and more. Shopping tip: If you want AWD, you’ll need to opt for the XLE or LE trims, as it’s not available on the Limited. Choosing AWD on the Prius drops fuel economy slightly to 49 mpg combined and 51/47 mpg city/highway.
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4. 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 47 mpg combined (48/47 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 602 miles
The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid is the hybrid version of one of the best sedan lines in history. It’s a solid choice for anyone in the market for efficient, dependable, feature-rich transportation. The top-tier Touring model is within range of our budget, and includes adaptive suspension, rain-sensing wipers, a head-up display, low-speed brake assist, heated outboard rear seats, Wi-Fi, and more.
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5. 2023 Ford Maverick
Fuel Economy: 37 mpg combined (40/33 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 511 miles
The sole pickup option on our list, the 2023 Ford Maverick, is one of the only options if you want a hybrid truck, and it’s one of the best if you don’t need the size and capability of a full-size or modern midsize truck. To get the hybrid drivetrain in the 2023 Maverick, you have to choose front-wheel drive (FWD). Unfortunately, AWD is not available with the hybrid system. On the other hand, you can load up the options and trim levels, including the top-spec Lariat with leather seats, a B&O sound system, and the Ford Co-Pilot360 safety suite.
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6. 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 52 mpg combined (50/54 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 686 miles
The 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is a comfortable and stylish midsize sedan with a great warranty and lots of equipment for the money. Our budget should afford the 2022 model in the desirable Limited trim. That trim includes Remote Smart Parking Assist as well as a head-up display, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster screen, a 10.25-inch center screen, leather seating, cooled front seats, LED headlights, and more. To get maximum efficiency in the Sonata Hybrid, you’ll need to pick the Blue trim; the Limited and other models are rated 47 mpg combined and 45/51 mpg city/highway.
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7. 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 43 mpg combined (42/44 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 589 miles
If you need a bit more space for passengers or cargo, the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is just within reach in its entry-level form, although persistent shoppers may find higher mileage examples of the EX below the $30,000 mark. Despite the entry-level LX trim plate, the FWD base Sportage is well-equipped, with wireless smartphone integration, LED exterior lights, a 12.3-inch instrument screen, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, and a host of safety tech including forward collision warning, lane keeping, and lane-following assistance.
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8. 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Fuel Economy: 38 mpg combined (38/38 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 521 miles
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is most efficient in its Blue trim, like the Sonata, although the gap to the other Tucson Hybrid variants is much smaller at 37 mpg combined and 37/36 mpg city/highway than the Sonata’s. In the same size class as the RAV4 Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid, the Tucson Hybrid is another great choice with standard AWD. The top-tier Limited trim is the best fit for our budget, with Remote Smart Parking Assist, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, surround-view monitor, wireless device charging, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, Bose audio, and more.
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9. 2018 Lexus ES 300h
Fuel Economy: 40 mpg combined (40/39 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 688 miles
A true luxury sedan and easily the most refined car on this list, the 2018 Lexus ES 300h is also the oldest car on this list. Despite its age, the ES 300h is still feature-packed, with the full Lexus Safety System+ suite that includes dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, smart high beams, and more. Our $30,000 budget gets us all of the options we could want, including Mark Levinson audio with 15 speakers putting out 835 watts, aniline leather seats, a panoramic glass roof, a power rear sunshade, and wood and leather trim. In this price range, you might also be able to find the equally excellent 2019 ES, which was the first year of an all-new generation of ES.
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10. 2023 Kia Niro
Fuel Economy: 53 mpg combined (53/54 mpg city/hwy)
Range: 588 miles
Nearly new yet only within reach of our budget in the base LX and midrange EX trims, the 2023 Kia Niro is one of the most efficient hybrids you can buy for less than $30,000, and it’s the most efficient option on this list. The EX is the best value for a used Niro hybrid. With wireless smartphone integration, adaptive cruise control, a power-adjustable driver’s set, and dual 10.25-inch screens, the Niro is also a modern, tech-rich crossover as well as an efficient hybrid.
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Best Used Hybrid Cars Under $30,000
- 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid
- 2022 Toyota Prius
- 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid
- 2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid
- 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
- 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
- 2018 Lexus ES 300h
- 2023 Kia Niro
