Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to spread, as car companies like Tesla, GM, Ford, and others all have at least one in their lineup. While EVs are a big part of our green future, they remain a long way off for mass consumption. This is why hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) still play an integral role in going green.
Hybrid vehicles combine the best of both worlds, giving you an electric motor with a small battery pack and a gasoline engine. Unlike plug-in hybrids and EVs, hybrid vehicles don't need a charging station. Plus, you won’t break the bank at the pump.
So if you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint and invest in a reliable car, here are some of the best hybrid cars Canada has to offer.
Methodology
So, how do we determine the best hybrid cars Canada has to offer? We can run through dozens of subjective factors like driving dynamics, ride quality, and more. But those depend on the person, so we look right at the stats to determine our favourites. We looked at rear seat legroom, fuel consumption, cargo space, and all-electric range to find the best.
We ranked each one by category and applied points based on their ranking. The higher the overall points, the higher the vehicle places on our list.
Let's get started!
2024 Toyota Crown
MSRP: Starts at $54,982.58
Toyota brought the Crown nameplate back to its lineup in the 2023 model year as a large hybrid sedan. This big sedan boasts a unique design that'll surely garner quite a few stares, but it's not so over the top that it'll age poorly. Toyota struck a nice balance with it.
The Crown has a pair of hybrid powertrains, and both come standard with all-wheel drive. The base setup is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid drive that produce a combined 236 horsepower, which is enough to sprint it to 100 km/h in about eight seconds. The optional engine pairs Toyota's hybrid drive system to a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder for 340 horsepower and a roughly six-second sprint to 100 km/h.
The Crown delivers decent performance, but it hurts itself with the worst fuel economy on our list, ranging from 5.7 L/100 km with its base engine to 7.8 L/100 km with the optional engine. It also struggles with the worst cargo room on our list at just 260 litres. It makes up for that with a middle-of-the-pack 988 mm of rear legroom.
As Toyota's flagship sedan, the Crown comes very well-equipped. Its standard features include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 11-speaker audio system, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, parking assist, lane-keeping assist, and more.
Why Buy the Toyota Crown?
The Toyota Crown may pull in last on our list, but it's still a great vehicle for the right buyer. If you're seeking a more upscale hybrid model without bumping up to a luxury brand, the Crown will suit your needs. Also, those who want more performance will appreciate the optional 2.4-litre powertrain.
2024 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
MSRP: Starts at $29,682.58
Toyota practically invented the hybrid market, so it’s no surprise that so many Toyotas make this list. One of its newer hybrids is the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which takes the brand’s notorious subcompact sedan and electrifies it. The result: One of the most economical hybrids on the market.
In 2023, Toyota updated the hybrid version of the Corolla and bumped its output to 138 horsepower. It also added optional AWD to handle those slippery Canadian winters and added standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes road sign assist, automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and more. Standard features on the Corolla Hybrid include a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless ignition, 15-inch alloy wheels, and much more.
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid’s fuel consumption tops out at 4.7 L/100 km combined with front-wheel drive, making it the third-most-efficient model on our list. The AWD models ring in at 4.9 to 5.3 L/100 km combined.
Because it's a subcompact sedan, the Corolla lacks interior room, plummeting it to number seven on our list. Its rear legroom is the worst on our list at just 884 mm, and its cargo room is second worst at 371 litres.
Why Buy the Toyota Corolla Hybrid?
If you want one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market without spending a ton of cash, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is for you. With a sub-$30,000 starting price, it'll fit a wide range of budgets, making it perfect for younger, childless adults.
2024 Lexus ES 300h
Toyota continues picking up spots on our list, albeit from its luxury arm, Lexus. The Lexus ES 300h will give you a nice dose of luxury to go along with your fuel efficiency but without breaking the bank like its German rivals.
The ES 300h comes standard with the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain that includes a 2.5-lire four-cylinder engine and electric motor that combine for 215 horsepower. Fuel economy rings in at 5.3 L/100 km combined, which ranks fifth on our list. While that fuel consumption rating may not be impressive on the surface, it's actually quite good considering all the premium features packed into this model.
Speaking of those features, they include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist with automatic braking, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, a wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and so much more.
So, why is this luxury car ranked only number five on our list of the best hybrid cars in Canada? Because its 394 litres of cargo room is the third-worst on our list. One positive note is its 996 mm of rear legroom is third on our list.
Why Buy the Lexus ES 300h?
The Lexus ES 300h has its shortcomings, but it's a great hybrid car for someone who also wants a luxury sedan without the expense of a German model. It also has a relatively spacious rear seat, making it fine for kids, teens, and even adults. Just don't expect to haul much in its trunk.
2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
MSRP: Starting at $30,499
Canada once had the midsize Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, but it's no longer available new -- though you can find a used one relatively easily. Despite the Sonata Hybrid leaving the lineup, Hyundai still has a great hybrid car option for you in the Elantra Hybrid. It’s a great option if you want a sleek-looking midsize sedan with loads of features and a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) that won’t break the bank.
The Elantra Hybrid features a sharp exterior that'll certainly grab attention. However, the real news is under the hood, which features a 1.6-litre Smartstream four-cylinder engine and 32-kW electric motor that team up to produce 139 horsepower. While the horsepower may be lacking, the Elantra Hybrid makes up for that with the third-best fuel economy rating on our list at 4.7 L/100 km.
Pushing the Elantra back down to number five on our list is its relatively tight cabin that offers only 964 mm of rear legroom (4th worst) and 394 litres of cargo space (3rd worst).
The Elantra Hybrid is only available in the Luxury trim, so it comes fully loaded with features. Its standard features include heated front seats and steering wheel, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, highway driving assistant, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, and much more.
Why Buy the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
First, the Elantra is relatively inexpensive compared to others on this list, and its range of standard features adds tons of value. Second, it offers impressive fuel efficiency, making it a cost-effective choice for daily commuting and long drives. And finally, its sharp looks stand out in a crowd. As long as you're not stuffing adults or tall teenagers in the back seat too often or looking to haul tons of cargo, it's a nice option.
2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid
MSRP: Starts at $35,682.58
Toyota only took a one-position break, and it's back with the midsize Camry Hybrid.
Still one of the top-selling vehicles in Canada and North America, the midsize Toyota Camry Hybrid combines exceptional fuel economy with an affordable MSRP. Every Camry Hybrid comes with the standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ System that provides added safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure alerts, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and more.
You also get a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing you to connect your smartphone to instantly find directions or pump your favourite jams. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included with the optional premium audio system,
The Camry Hybrid’s powertrain includes a 2.5-litre engine with 176 horsepower and a 118-horsepower electric motor combine for a total of 208 horsepower and up to 4.9 L/100km in the LE trim (4th worst) to 5.1 L/100km fuel efficiency in all other trims.
The Camry Hybrid sits near the middle of the pack in terms of roominess. Its rear seats offer 965 mm of legroom (5th best), and the trunk can swallow up to 428 litres of cargo (4th best).
Why Buy the Toyota Camry Hybrid?
The Camry Hybrid may sit in the middle of our list in just about every measurable, making it fairly unspectacular in terms of measurables. However, buying a car is about more than just what the measurables say. The Camry Hybrid comes with Toyota's legendary reliability and tons of great features, making it a solid option for just about anyone.
2024 Honda Accord Hybrid
MSRP: Starts at $41,000
Also recently redesigned, the Honda Accord Hybrid is another alluring four-door midsize sedan. This thrifty sedan has five-star safety ratings from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and desirable tech features, such as remote start and other options linked to your smartphone.
The Accord Hybrid’s distinguished design oozes class without looking over the top. Inside, the Honda Accord Hybrid continues its stunning ways with its 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, upscale materials, and other high-tech features you want in a car today.
Powering this hybrid sedan is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and a 181-horsepower electric motor that combine for 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. Fuel consumption rings in at 5.3 L/100 km combined — the second worst behind the Toyota Crown.
However, the Accord makes up for its fuel economy shortcomings with a roomy interior and trunk. The rear seats offer an impressive 1,037 mm of legroom, which tops all others on our list. Its trunk can handle up to 473 litres of cargo, which is third best on our list.
Why Buy the Honda Accord?
The Honda Accord is a great hybrid car, though it's not the best on our list. Despite it coming up a few spots short of the top, it remains a great option for buyers who need a roomy back seat for a carpool or toting around growing teenagers. Plus, its new design is upscale and classy.
2024 Toyota Prius
MSRP: Starts at $40,642.58
When it first arrived over two decades ago, the Toyota Prius was the lightning rod for the hybrid vehicle. In its early years, the Prius lacked an engaging design and looked more like an appliance than a car you'd proudly park in your driveway. However, Toyota fully redesigned this economical four-door liftback in 2023, giving it a sleek design, a big performance boost, and even lower fuel consumption.
Powering the new Prius is a 150-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup combines for a total of 196 horsepower and up to 4.8L/100km for all-wheel-drive (AWD) variants — the front-wheel-drive (FWD) Prius is not available in Canada.
If you're searching for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the Prius is the first on our list to offer this option in the Prius Prime variant. Also all-new for 2023, the Prius Prime gets a huge bump in horsepower to 220 ponies, which drops its 0-100 km/h time to just 6.8 seconds. Unlike the base Prius, the Prius Prime comes only in FWD. Fuel consumption rings in as low as 4.5L/100km combined in hybrid mode and 1.8L/100km combined in EV mode. In EV mode and with a fully-charged battery, you can get up to 72 km of driving range in the SE trim and 64 km in the XSE trim.
The big downside to the Prius is its tight rear seat. It only has 884 mm of legroom, making it the second-worst on our list. Making up for this is its liftback design that gives it a whopping 575 litres of cargo room.
Also driving it up our list is the optional all-electric range.
The Prius is exceptional in terms of standard features. It features adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB ports, and much more.
Why Buy the Toyota Prius?
The Toyota Prius is the first on our list with an all-electric range, at up to 72 km, which also happens to be the longest range. Plus, the Prius' design stands out, so if you like stares and questions, you'll get plenty in it.
2024 Kia Niro
MSRP: Starts at $33,244
Toyota dominated our list of the best hybrid cars in Canada. Who's number one? Not Toyota! It's the Kia Niro.
While Kia technically markets the Niro as an SUV, it's not at all. It is more of a lifted hatchback -- and even the lift is very small.
Whether you're taking the crew to school or need extra space for your hobbies, the Niro delivers. It offers seating for up to five people and up to 646 litres of cargo space (best) in the rear. Need more cargo space? Fold the seats down to unveil an impressive 1,804 litres of cargo room (best).
The back seat is also very roomy, offering 1,011 mm of legroom, which is second behind the Accord.
SUVs of the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) world often pale compared to some hybrid sedans, but the Kia Niro remains competitive. It delivers up to 4.4 L/100km of combined fuel consumption (best) in its FE trim and 5.2 L/100km in all other trims — enough to take you from Toronto to Montreal on the cheap.
The 2024 Kia Niro also has a plug-in hybrid model that gives you a 55 km electric driving range, which also gives it a boost to first place on our list.
As for features, the Kia Niro has loads of top-notch goodies standard, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and much more.
Find the Best Used Hybrid Cars Canada Has on the Road With Clutch
If you're searching for a used hybrid vehicle, don't stress. Clutch has many options, including almost every make and model in the hybrid realm. Whether you're looking for that versatile crossover or a family vehicle with great fuel consumption, we have your back.
Every Clutch vehicle undergoes a 210-point Clutch inspection and comes with the option of a no-risk 10-day money-back guarantee, secure financing options, and an optional 3-month or 6,000-km warranty. You’ll reduce your impact on the environment and love the extra perks and driving experience your new car will bring. And with Clutch’s 100% online experience, you can get all this without setting foot in a dealership.
