Best Hybrid Sedans. 2022 Plug-in Hybrid Sedans Rated

Characteristics of Hybrid Sedans

There are two chief types of hybridization: mild and plug-in. Each brings its own strengths and traits to the traditional four-door sedan. However, there are still similarities between these types of cars, for better or worse:

Powertrain: The defining characteristic of a hybrid is its powertrain. These cars pair electric motors with their combustion engines to increase outputs and improve efficiency. In most applications, the increase is minor, with a focus on reducing strain on the engine instead. However, sports cars often use hybridization to push the limits of performance or improve acceleration times.
Fuel economy: The driving force behind the adoption of hybridization was the cost benefits it brought in terms of fuel consumption. Plug-in hybrid sedans are particularly good at lowering the monthly gas bill since they can travel on electric energy alone, at least for short stints. This is a quality that is not so prevalent in performance models, though they still boast better mileage figures than a regular speedster.
Weight: Naturally, strapping a bunch of electrical components onto a 4-door sedan is going to affect its weight. While the fuel consumption increase of this is offset rather nicely, the handling is not. On the plus side, heavier cars generally have slightly better ride comfort. The size of the battery directly impacts how much heavier the vehicle is, and it may even affect cabin space depending on where it is installed.
Cost: You will save money by owning a hybrid; that much is true. However, you need to spend money first. Hybrids are more expensive from the outset, and it may take several years before you see a return on your investment.

What to Consider When Buying an MHEV/PHEV Sedan

Hybrids are no longer the most advanced automobiles on the road, but they are still more complicated than your average vehicle. This brings advantages and disadvantages that are definitely worth considering when it comes time to buy a new car. So from the top hybrid sedan to the worst, these are the pros and cons:

Pros

Superior performance over combustion engines alone
Significantly better fuel economy figures
Higher tech specs, even in base guise
Among the safest cars, thanks to their high safety specification
Easier on the environment, relatively speaking

Cons

Higher price of purchase than most traditional sedans
Not as reliable due to more moving parts and the potential for something to go wrong
Heavier weight impacts handling and performance
No longer the cool new technology since EVs came along

FAQs

What is the best hybrid sedan on the market?

Hybrids are generally about getting the most bang for your buck and reducing fuel consumption. To this end, it should come as no surprise that one of the most popular sedans in the USA is also one of the best when in hybrid configuration. We are, of course, talking about the Toyota Corolla Hybrid. That being said there are quite a few luxury hybrids like the Volvo S60 if your budget allows for it.

Are hybrid sedans safe and reliable?

For the most part, yes. Many automakers only start offering hybrid powertrains halfway up their lineup. This means that the hybrids get a lot more standard tech than a base model would. More safety tech is always a welcome sight. However, it is worth noting that more advanced vehicles are more susceptible to mechanical failure. This can mean that hybrids are more costly to maintain and may break down for unexpected reasons.

What is the difference between MHEV and PHEV?

These are the two principal forms of hybridization. Mild-hybrid electric vehicles use electric motors but do not include a separate battery pack for them. Instead, power is produced via regenerative braking technology. This limits your ability to reliably build up charge on demand and it cannot be stored. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, on the other hand, have onboard battery packs that can be manually charged from an outlet. They can also travel for a certain distance relying purely on the electric motors and not even engage the combustion engine.

Best Hybrid Sedans of 2022