Conventional hybrid vehicles, which use electricity to boost the efficiency of a combustion engine, may seem like old hat compared to today’s array of plug-in models, including battery electrics (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Still, there remains a lot of choice for shoppers who want a hybrid’s combination of thrifty fuel economy and relative simplicity.
Here’s a look at the most fuel-efficient conventional hybrid models in each vehicle segment, from compact cars right up to full-size pickup trucks.
Compact FWD hatchback
2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue – 4.0 L/100 km combined
The most fuel-efficient front-wheel drive hatchback for the 2022 model year is the Hyundai Ioniq Blue, the entry-level version of the brand’s first dedicated electrified vehicle. A 1.6L four-cylinder engine and an electric motor generate 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, which go to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. This is the final year for the Ioniq, which has been around since 2017. The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq is priced from $25,649 to $33,049.
Compact sedan
2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue – 4.4 L/100 km combined
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Canada’s most fuel-efficient compact hybrid sedan is the Elantra Hybrid Blue compact, a gas-electric version of the seventh-generation Elantra introduced in 2021. Power comes from the same 1.6L four-cylinder/electric motor and six-speed combo as the Ioniq Blue (139 hp and 195 lb-ft). A non-Blue Elantra Hybrid is less efficient, at 4.7 L/100 km combined. The Elantra Hybrid sells for $24,999 to start; an Ultimate trim package goes for $27,299.
Station wagon
2022 Kia Niro Hybrid – 4.6 L/100 km combined
Station wagons are few and far between today, but Kia has one of them in the Niro, a compact wagon introduced in 2017 and designed exclusively for electrified powertrains. As part of the Hyundai Motor Group, Kia’s vehicles share a lot of components with Hyundai models: The Niro uses the same 1.6L engine and electric motor as the Ioniq, but puts its power through a conventional six-speed automatic transmission in place of the Hyundai’s dual-clutch gearbox. Niro prices range from $26,995 to $36,595.
All-wheel-drive car
2022 Toyota Prius AWD-e – 4.8 L/100 km combined
Toyota Prius AWD-e
Toyota updated the fourth-generation Prius in 2019, adding all-wheel drive to its iconic hybrid for the first time. The Prius AWD-e’s primary electric motor is located up front, where it works with a 1.8L gas engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to produce 121 hp, while the rear wheels are driven by a dedicated electric motor. Toyota prices the Prius AWD-e at $30,390 to start.
Family sedan
2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE – 4.9 L/100 km combined
Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid
Topping the hybrid family sedan category is the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the gas-electric version of the brand’s long-running mid-size car. A 2.5L four-cylinder engine teams up with electricity to generate 208 hp, a handful more than the entry-level gas-powered Camry. Note that the 4.9 L/100 km fuel consumption estimate only applies to the $29,890 Camry Hybrid LE; the better-equipped SE, XLE and XSE trim levels are a bit less thrifty at 5.1 L/100 km.
Compact SUV
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid – 5.8 L/100 km combined
2021 Ford Escape
In 2020, Ford redesigned its Escape compact crossover into its fourth generation, which included the model’s first hybrid powertrain option since 2012. The 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient choice in the compact SUV class, whether you choose front- or all-wheel drive, the latter rated for 5.9 L/100 km. A 2.5L four-cylinder engine and electric motor generate 200 hp, which goes to the wheels through a CVT. Escape Hybrid prices start at $35,949 in SE FWD trim or $37,449 with AWD. Pricier SEL and Titanium trim levels are also available.
Compact pickup truck
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid – 6.3 L/100 km combined
2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid XLT
A new model for 2022, the Ford Maverick competes in the compact pickup truck class. The Maverick Hybrid uses a powertrain similar to that in the Escape Hybrid, which makes 191 hp in this application but can’t be had with AWD—if you want a Maverick with all-wheel traction, you can only get it with a gas-only drivetrain. The Maverick XL Hybrid is priced at $27,750, and an XLT package goes for a bit more than $30,000.
Minivan
2022 Toyota Sienna – 6.6 L/100 km combined
Launched in 2021, the fourth-generation Toyota Sienna is sold exclusively with a conventional hybrid powertrain, a first both for the Sienna and the minivan segment. (The only other hybrid minivan model is the Chrysler Pacifica, which offers a PHEV setup.) The Sienna gets 245 hp from its 2.5L four-cylinder engine and main electric motor. An AWD option places a second motor at the rear axle. The Sienna’s entry-level LE FWD trim is priced at $41,050, and the range tops out with the $59,290 Limited AWD package.
Mid-size SUV
2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid AWD – 6.6 L/100 km combined
2022 Sorento HEV
One of Kia’s latest volleys into the electrified vehicle marketplace is the Sorento Hybrid, a gas-electric version of the fourth-gen Sorento introduced in 2021. A 1.6L turbocharged engine and an electric motor put 227 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque through standard AWD and a six-speed automatic transmission. Sorento Hybrid prices start at $36,695 in LX AWD trim or $41,995 in EX form.
Full-size pickup truck
2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid – 9.7 L/100 km combined
2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid
The Ford F-150 is one of two hybrid full-size trucks available today, and it’s the more efficient one—the other is the Toyota Tundra, whose hybrid setup is a lot less thrifty. In the F-150 Hybrid, a 3.5L turbo V6 engine and an electric motor make 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, which go through a 10-speed transmission to the rear wheels. A 4WD option is a bit less efficient at 10.2 L/100 km. Ford offers its hybrid powertrain as an option starting in the F-150’s King Ranch trim level, at a bit more than $85,000.
