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10 Affordable Hybrid Cars for 2015

Benjamin Hunting
by Benjamin Hunting
September 11, 2014
4 min. Reading Time
kia optima hybrid logo

kia optima hybrid logo

Affordable hybrid cars have hit the mainstream in a big way, with the usual suspects now complemented by a wide range of models.  These inexpensive hybrid cars don't just fill the compact niche like they once did, but have expanded to target mid-size family shoppers as well, greatly expanding the battery-assisted market.  You can find a hybrid version of a surprising number of new vehicles, each one making its own pitch regarding frugality at the pump, power, and practicality.

Let's take a quick look at 10 affordable hybrid cars available for 2015.

01. 2015 Toyota Prius

The original, and in the eyes of many affordable hybrid car fans, still the champion, the 2015 Toyota Prius offers some of the most impressive fuel mileage around.  The Toyota Prius compact hatchback is motivated by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that is matched with twin electric motors that together produce 134 horsepower.  The upshot of this design is a fuel efficiency rating of 51-mpg in city driving and 48-mpg on the highway, combined with decent drivability even in highway traffic.  It might not be exciting, but the Prius is a reliable fuel sipper that won't cost you a premium at purchasing time.

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02. 2015 Ford C-Max

The 2015 Ford C-Max takes Ford's popular four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain and plunks it down under the hood of a useful hatchback.  Somewhat larger than the Prius, the Ford C-Max also puts forth more power (188 horses)) from a 2.0-liter engine coupled with a single electric motor.  Fuel mileage for the C-Max isn't as impressive as for the Prius, but with a rating of 42-mpg in stop and go driving and 37-mpg on the highway there's still some savings to be had at the pump to go along with its more robust acceleration.

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03. 2015 Honda CR-Z

The 2015 Honda CR-Z isn't just unique because it's a two-seat hybrid - it also happens to be the only hybrid you can buy that offers a manual transmission.  The six-speed manual that can be had with the Honda CR-Z reflects its positioning as the only affordable hybrid sports car, and while the coupe's130 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque might not launch it into the stratosphere, the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine and single electric motor behind the effort deliver up to 36-mpg city and 39-mpg highway.  To achieve those figures, however, you've got to spec the CR-Z with its optional continuously-variable automatic transmission.

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04. 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid

The 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid is one of the sharper-looking four-door sedans on the market, regardless of whether it is found in battery-assisted or standard trim.  In conjunction with its sleek styling, the Kia Optima Hybrid also delivers 36-mpg around town and 40-mpg on the highway from its 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and electric motor combo.  The Optima Hybrid is also notable for being relatively quick, boasting 199 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque - numbers that wouldn't have looked out of place being produced by an entry-level V-6 a few short years ago.

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05. 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2015 Honda Accord Hybrid was completely redesigned as recently as last year, bringing with it an all-new drivetrain that's more advanced than that found with any other Honda hybrid.  A pair of electric motors are matched with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine to generate 196 horsepower, and efficiency has been maximized via an in-depth computerized control system - meaning that the Honda Accord Hybrid is capable of automatically switching from EV mode to hybrid mode and back again as needed, decoupling the gas engine from the front wheels and deputizing it as a generator in the process.  Fuel mileage for the mid-size sedan stands at an awesome 50-mpg in city driving and 45-mpg on the highway, numbers that challenge the much smaller Prius for hybrid supremacy.

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06. 2015 Toyota Prius c

The 2015 Toyota Prius c is kind of like training wheels for the larger, traditional Prius, in the sense that this subcompact hatchback shrinks its fuel savings into a city-friendly package.  The Toyota Prius c is a no-frills affordable hybrid car, and its lighter weight and smaller size make it more fun to drive than other models in the Prius family, but don't look for luxury inside its cabin.  The Prius c counts on 99 horsepower generated by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine working together with an electric motor that sticks with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack to keep costs down rather than graduating to a lithium-ion setup.  Fuel economy for the Toyota is listed at 53-mpg city and 46-mpg highway.

 Photo by Toyota

Photo by Toyota

07. 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

The 2015 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid is another recent addition to the affordable hybrid car universe, and it's one that attempts to bridge the gap between the realities of battery-powered driving and the expectations of customers.  The Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid's 1.4-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine works with an electric motor to produce 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission sends that output to the front wheels.  A taut suspension system also helps the compact sedan deliver respectable handling to go with its fuel mileage of 42-mpg around town and 48-mpg on the highway.

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08. 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid

The 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid continues to provide value-conscious hybrid shoppers with a no-compromise compact daily driver option.  The Honda Civic Hybrid might lose a little trunk space compared to the gas-only edition of the car, but other than that there's very little difference between the two cars - until you get to the fuel mileage, that is.  The Civic Hybrid returns 44-mpg in stop and go driving and 47-mpg on the highway, and its 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and electric motor combination can be counted on to produce 110 horses and 127 lb-ft of torque.

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09. 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid

The 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid is another fashion-forward mid-size battery-assisted sedan, and one that shares its drivetrain with the previously-discussed Ford C-Max hatchback.  This means a 188 horsepower setup consisting of a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine and one electric motor that together achieve 44-mpg in city driving and 44-mpg on the highway.  The Fusion Hybrid also manages to preserve much of the standard Fusion's respectable handling and quiet cabin, making this mid-size family sedan a pleasure to drive in a variety of situations.  You do lose four cubic feet of cargo space due to battery intrusion when selecting the Hybrid over the based Fusion.

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10. 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is sort of the 'odd man out' in the hybrid game this year, for while the gas-powered versions of the Sonata have been completely redesigned for 2015, the Hybrid edition continues to ride on the previous year's platform.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's affordable mid-size sedan trappings hold decent appeal for buyers on a budget.  Like its Kia Optima platform mate,  power is good from the Hyundai's 2.4-liter, four-cylinder and electric motor team - 199 horses - but fuel mileage of 36-mpg city and 40-mpg highway is somewhat lower than the mid-size hybrid sedan average.

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