Used Hybrid Vehicle Buying Guide | XYZspot

There are many reasons why used hybrid cars are a smart choice for car buyers. If you’re shopping for a car, high gas prices are likely a factor in your decision-making. Steep fuel costs have led many car buyers to seek the most efficient solutions in the automotive market. And if frugal mileage is the goal, the best choices typically involve electrification.

All-electric vehicles (EVs) are relatively cheap to fuel, but many have much shorter driving range than gas-powered cars. Also, there are fewer charging stations than gas stations; when you put it all together, EVs are impractical for many drivers.

That leaves hybrids, which strike a comfortable balance between battery-electric vehicles and gas-only models. Hybrids use gas and electric power to optimize fuel economy. They offer much better mileage than gas-only models with none of the limitations that come with all-electric transportation.

We can break the hybrid segment into new and used models. Used hybrid cars are more affordable than new models, making them excellent solutions for shoppers on a budget.

What Is a Hybrid Vehicle?

Cars that are hybrid use an internal combustion engine and an electric motor to travel from one place to the next. The electric motor gets power from a small, high-voltage battery. Standard hybrids use just gas for fuel; you don’t plug them in to recharge the electric motor.

A subset within the hybrid class operates differently from standard hybrids. These are plug-in hybrids, and they offer distinctive benefits.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have a larger battery than standard hybrids, allowing them to travel short distances using just electric power. Standard hybrids cannot operate with just electricity; the gas engine is always used (yes you can drive short distances at low speeds in all-electric mode, but the gas engine is what powers the car in general). Also, unlike standard hybrids, you can charge a plug-in hybrid’s battery using a charging station. After the battery runs out of charge, PHEVs use the gas engine.

The hybrid and plug-in hybrid segment includes cars, SUVs, minivans, and trucks in both luxury and economy models. Popular hybrid cars include the Toyota Prius hatchback and Honda Accord Hybrid sedan. The Kia Niro, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, and Ford Escape Hybrid are some of the best hybrid SUVs. The Ford Maverick pickup truck and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan use hybrid technology to save you money at the gas pump. Finally, luxury hybrid models, such as the Lexus TX Hybrid, combine premium interiors with gas-sipping powertrains.

Hybrids are less efficient than EVs. However, they’re more practical for many drivers since they can also run on gas. Our Hybrid or EV: Which to Buy? can help you decide between a hybrid and an EV.

Buying a Hybrid Car: Used vs. New

Once you’ve decided to get a hybrid, you need to choose a new or used model.

New hybrids may have more modern safety and technology features than used models. However, used hybrids will likely be much cheaper than comparable new models. Cars depreciate by as much as 20% in the first year of ownership, so even a used hybrid that’s just one or two years old will be more affordable than a new model fresh off the dealer lot.

The Pros of Buying a Used Hybrid Vehicle

Here are some pros of buying used hybrid cars, SUVs, trucks, and minivans:

1. Cheaper upfront cost than a comparable new hybrid. Depreciation takes a massive bite out of a used hybrid’s value, with a significant portion of the value loss occurring in the first year of ownership. That means even if you’re looking for a used hybrid car or SUV that’s just a year or two old, you’ll likely find candidates that cost much less than comparable new models.

2. Low ownership costs. Since it has a gas-electric powertrain, a used hybrid will be cheaper to fuel than a gas-only model. That means lower fuel costs over the vehicle’s life, and the savings can be significant. Also, since used hybrids cost less than new models, they’re typically cheaper to insure. Again, those savings can be substantial over the vehicle’s lifespan.

3. Generous warranty coverage. Hybrids have generous warranty coverage that can last long enough to protect buyers who purchase these vehicles on the used market. The government mandates this coverage. Federal law requires car manufacturers to protect hybrid batteries with warranty coverage that lasts at least eight years or 100,000 miles. California’s coverage is even more robust; by state law, all hybrids sold in California must have warranty coverage on the battery that lasts at least 10 years or 150,000 miles. Toyota has adopted the limits set by California as part of its hybrid battery warranty nationwide.

The Cons of Buying a Used Hybrid Vehicle

Buying a used hybrid comes with these drawbacks:

1. It may need expensive battery replacement. Hybrid batteries don’t last forever, and they’re costly to replace. Fortunately, hybrids have government-mandated warranties that protect the battery for eight years or 100,000 miles. As mentioned, California state law mandates a warranty that’s even more generous, covering the battery for at least 10 years or 150,000 miles.

2. It may be difficult to find a maintenance shop. Compared to gas-only cars, hybrids are a recent development. In the early days following their introduction, finding a mechanic that works on hybrids may have been challenging, and some of those difficulties may remain in certain regions. However, this challenge is becoming a thing of the past as hybrids become more popular.

Top Tips for Used Hybrid Car Shopping

Here are some tips to consider when shopping for a used hybrid:

• Look at warranty coverage. There are federal minimums for warranty coverage on the hybrid battery. Those minimums are generous enough to provide peace of mind, but some car manufacturers offer coverage surpassing federal mandates. Keep warranty coverage in mind when evaluating used hybrids.

• Consider battery age and mileage. Older used hybrid cars may offer affordable pricing. However, the oldest cars also have the oldest batteries, and those vehicles may be outside of warranty coverage or close. Ideally, you want to find a car with a few years left in its warranty protection. Battery age and mileage will determine if a vehicle is still under warranty.

• Take it for a test drive. Certain things are impossible to evaluate on paper, and that’s where a test drive comes in. For example, a test drive will tell if a hybrid hatchback’s seats comfortably fit your frame. And driving that hybrid SUV on your shortlist will let you know if its ride is smooth enough for your liking.

• Consider technology and driver aids. Make a list of technology and driver aids that are non-negotiable, and limit your search to hybrids offering those features. For example, some drivers consider smartphone integration, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a must-have. Some drivers don’t feel safe on the road without blind-spot monitoring. If features like these are essential, make sure they are in your initial search.

The Best Used Hybrid Vehicles

Consider these models if you’re looking for a used hybrid. They rank among the top picks in class:

Toyota Prius

The Prius hybrid hatchback is one of the best used hybrid cars you can buy, offering outstanding fuel efficiency and ample cargo room. It’s available with all-wheel drive (AWD), so it’s excellent if you need an AWD hybrid car for improved traction in rain or snow. A 2023 redesign brought notable improvements, so a used 2023 model might be a satisfying purchase if it’s in your budget.

Toyota Highlander

The Highlander Hybrid is a three-row SUV that seats up to eight people and returns excellent fuel economy. If shopping for one of these used hybrid SUVs, know that a redesign in the 2020 model year improved this Toyota’s gas mileage. The 2020 redesign also added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment; those features aren’t available on 2019 and older models.

Honda Insight

Honda rolled out the first Insight in 2000, and the car ended production with the 2022 model. Honda put the vehicle on hiatus a couple of times during the years when it was produced. The third-generation Insight — introduced with the 2019 model — is livelier and more responsive than previous versions and is one of the best used-car hybrid vehicles on the market.

Ford C-Max

Ford introduced the C-Max in 2013 and wrapped up production with the 2018 model. This compact wagon is available as a standard hybrid or a PHEV (C-Max Energi); note that the PHEV ended production with the 2017 model. The C-Max’s handsome cabin and good handling help make it one of the best used hybrid cars out there.

Chevrolet Volt

Chevy introduced the Volt in the 2011 model year, and it cruised into the sunset with the 2019 model. This plug-in hybrid is notable for its exceptional all-electric driving range, especially if you choose a more recent model; 2016 and newer versions of the Volt travel up to 53 miles using just electric power, according to EPA ratings. Older models have between 32 and 38 miles of all-electric driving range. The Volt is one of the best used hybrid cars if you want a vehicle with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.