In today’s world of rising gas prices, green vehicles, such as electric cars and plug-in hybrids, are growing in popularity. However, these vehicles require a plug, and not everyone has access to a plug to charge their vehicle.
Fortunately, these buyers can still get a fuel-efficient model that doesn’t need to be plugged in. Below, we cover the eight best used hybrid cars, giving these shoppers a head start in choosing the best plug-free car that can still save them big on fuel costs.
For shoppers seeking a top-notch hybrid SUV, we cover those in a separate article.
Best Used Hybrid Cars in Canada
Due to limited plug access, some buyers can’t opt for plug-in models, such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Fortunately, automakers continue cranking out hybrid models that require no plug, giving you a plug-free option for a more fuel-efficient and lower-emissions vehicle.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is the king of the hybrid car segment, essentially launching the entire movement in the early-2000s. Today, the Prius has a ton more competition, but it remains a top-notch hybrid option for buyers who can’t get a plug-in model.
The Prius gets great fuel-consumption numbers, ringing in at 4.4 L/100 km city, 4.7 L/100 km highway, and 4.5 L/100 km combined with front-wheel drive in the 2022 model year. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) model is a little less efficient at 4.6 L/100 km city, 5 L/100 km highway, and 4.8 L/100 km combined.
The Toyota Prius hatchback also features a roomy cargo area with 776 litres of space with the rear seats up and 1,436 litres with them folded. Rear-seat room is another thing, though. With just 848 mm of rear legroom, the Prius’ rear seats are not adult-friendly.
In the technology space, the Prius leaves little to be desired. It comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It also boasts Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, a 4.2-inch driver-information screen, and more.
Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid
The Hyundai IONIQ is another hybrid with ample cargo room and low fuel consumption. The latter rings in at 4.3 L/100 km city, 4.1 L/100 km highway, and 4.2 L/100 km combined in the base 2022 model year. The IONIQ Blue is more efficient at 4 L/100 km city, 3.9 L/100 km highway, and 4 L/100 km combined.
Behind the rear seats, the Hyundai IONIQ can fit 750 litres of cargo, nearly matching the roomy Prius. The IONIQ easily beats its Toyota rival with 907 mm of rear legroom in its rear seats. That’s still a little tight, but more than the Prius offers.
The IONIQ Hybrid also comes well-equipped with the latest technology, including a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth with audio streaming, and more.
Honda Accord Hybrid
The Honda Accord is a legend in the family sedan segment, but its hybrid variant hasn’t gotten nearly as much popularity as it deserves. This premium-looking hybrid sedan has a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque from its powertrain — a 2.0-litre engine and electric motor — giving it ample power for the average driver.
On top of this, its consumption rates are also good at just 5 L/100 km across the board in select trims. In the Sport and Touring trims, though, the consumption rate increases to 5.3 L/100 km city, 5.7 L/100 km highway, and 5.5 L/100 km.
The Accord’s biggest selling point is its posh ride quality relative to others in the segment. Plus, it has a spacious cabin with 1,026 mm of rear-seat legroom and a huge 473-litre trunk.
This midsize sedan’s standard features are plentiful too and include lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Craving a hybrid with a more eye-grabbing look? The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offers just that with its sharp body lines and unique lighting signature.
Between its electric motor and 2.0-litre gasoline engine, the Hyundai Sonata boasts 192 horsepower. This setup delivers good fuel efficiency too, with consumption ratings of 5.3 L/100 km city, 4.6 L/100 km highway, and 5.0 L/100 km combined.
The Sonata Hybrid’s rear seats leave a little to be desired with just 884 mm of legroom, but its 453-litre trunk is plenty for most buyers.
In the technical department, the Sonata Hybrid comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, blind-spot monitoring, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and more. There are also many standard safety features, like blind-spot-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, safe exit warning, and others.
Honda Insight
The Honda Insight took a brief hiatus but returned to compete with the likes of the Prius and other hybrid vehicles. This new Insight has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor that combine to produce 129 horsepower and 197 pound-feet of torque.
This powertrain delivers great fuel consumption ratings of 4.6 L/100 km city, 5.3 L/100 km highway, and 4.9 L/100 km combined. All this while offering an ample 950 mm of rear legroom and up to 427 litres of cargo room.
The Insight is also well-equipped, as its base EX trim comes standard with an eight-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and more. In safety and driver-assistive tech, the Insight delivers standard adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic high-beam headlights, and more.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry is a legend in the family sedan segment, so it’s only logical that it also makes the list as one of the best used hybrid cars.
The latest Camry Hybrid pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 208 horsepower. This is plenty of power for the typical sedan driver, plus it delivers stellar fuel-consumption rates of 4.9 L/100 km city, 4.8 L/100 km highway, and 4.9 L/100 km combined in its base LE trim. The SE, XLE, and XSE trims are slightly less fuel-efficient at 5.3 L/100 km city, 5 L/100 km highway, and 5.1 L/100 km combined.
The Camry Hybrid is also very spacious with 965 mm of rear legroom and 427 litres of luggage space in the trunk.
Toyota also offers plenty of standard features in the Camry Hybrid. Its standard equipment list includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, and much more.
The safety tech is also abundant and includes standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, full-speed adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and more.
Ford Fusion Hybrid
The Ford Fusion Hybrid was discontinued after the 2020 model year, as Ford moved on to focus almost exclusively on trucks and SUVs. However, this once-popular sedan remains a strong option for shoppers seeking one of the best hybrid cars in Canada.
The Fusion Hybrid delivers 188 combined horsepower, falling behind some of the newer models on our list. However, its fuel consumption rates aren’t far off from the pack at 5.5 L/100 km city, 5.7 L/100 km highway, and 5.6 L/100 km combined.
Despite being an older model, the Fusion Hybrid has top-notch standard equipment, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a nine-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, Wi-Fi, and more.
Even its safety tech was well ahead of its time and included standard blind-spot monitors, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, a rearview camera, and more.
As for roominess, the Fusion Hybrid is just fine for about any family with 973 mm of rear legroom and 453 litres of cargo space.
Lexus ES 300h
Buyers seeking a luxury hybrid car can look no further than the Toyota Camry Hybrid's luxurious cousin, the Lexus ES 300h.
Like the Camry, the 300h features a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, but Lexus bumped the output to 215 horsepower. Also, the heavier ES 300h has slightly worse fuel economy ratings at 5.5 L/100 km city, 5.2 L/100 km highway, and 5.3 L/100 km combined.
The interior room is plentiful in the ES 300h, just like the Camry. It offers 998 mm of rear-seat legroom and a 394-litre trunk.
Standard tech is also plentiful. The base ES 300h features an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a 10-speaker audio system, Bluetooth streaming audio, SiriusXM, and more.
The ES 300h has lots to offer in the safety department with its standard automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, road-sign recognition, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and much more.
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Toyota truly went all in on hybrids recently with the release of the all-new Corolla Hybrid in 2020. Only available in the Corolla’s sedan body style, this tiny family car looked the part of a standard Corolla until you peeked under the hood. Here lies a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and continuously variable transmission (CVT) that produce 121 horsepower.
While it’s not overly powerful, the Corolla Hybrid’s claim to fame is its respectable 4.4 L/100 km city, 4.5 L/100 km highway, and 4.5 L/100 km combined fuel consumption rates.
The Corolla Hybrid also includes plenty of high-end tech standard. This includes the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker audio system, and more. It also has plenty of advanced safety gear, including automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, a backup camera, and more.
Toyota Sienna
Not quite a car, per se, but it’s an alternative used hybrid vehicle for larger families who don’t want the typical crossover. We’re talking about the Toyota Sienna hybrid minivan, which debuted in 2021.
This sharp family hauler includes a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor that pair up for 245 horsepower. While that’s not a ton of power for a heavy minivan, it keeps things efficient at 6.6 L/100 km city, 6.5 L/100 km highway, and 6.5 L/100 km combined with FWD. With optional AWD, the consumption increases to 6.8 L/100 km city, 6.6 L/100 km highway, and 6.7 L/100 km combined.
Like all modern Toyota models, the Sienna is well-equipped with a standard 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, seven USB ports, keyless entry, and much more. It also has many advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
Get the Best Used Hybrid Cars at Clutch
Clutch, Canada's leading online used car retailer, has a vast inventory of quality used vehicles, including the best used hybrid cars. Check out our inventory and find the best hybrid for you.
All Clutch vehicles undergo a 210-point safety and reconditioning process to ensure they’re ready for the road. We then add a 90-day or 6,000-km warranty for additional peace of mind. Plus, you get a 10-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t love your Clutch vehicle during this period, you can return it or exchange it for a different vehicle.
So, check out our expansive pre-owned inventory, choose the best used hybrid car, and complete your purchase online. We’ll set up the financing, prepare a trade-in valuation, and then deliver the vehicle to you. There’s no need to go to the dealership.
