As gas prices soar past $4 in many areas, drivers face crises of their own. The frivolous errands that once took us across town multiple times throughout the week are now relegated to the bottom of our “To Do” lists until we have several reasons to travel that far. Rather than taking the scenic route home to wind down from work, we’re opting for the most efficient routes to give us a bit more distance on a tank of gas.
With no end in sight to soaring fuel prices, many drivers are also looking for more efficient alternatives. As a result, the electric future that automakers like GM and Ford are so proudly building might be here sooner than we expected. So, what does that look like in today’s environment?
The EV segment is still relatively new, making hybrids the more popular option. Hybrids blend what we know, a gas engine, with something new––electric power. Offering the best of both worlds and exceptional efficiency, here are the most fuel-efficient hybrids that will help you navigate the gas crisis and your future on the road.
#1 2022 Hyundai IONIQ (60 MPG)
Hyundai sits at the top of our list with the stunning and sophisticated IONIQ. Starting at just $23,600, the 2022 IONIQ is one of the most affordable hybrids in the segment. It’s also the most efficient hybrid in America, beating the Toyota Prius, with its remarkable fuel economy of 58 MPG in the city and 60 MPG on the highway. This efficiency doesn’t come at the cost of power, with the IONIQ’s hybrid powertrain producing 139 horses for exceptional handling in any condition. Hyundai even gives you peace of mind on the road by backing the IONIQ’s battery for 10 years or 100,000 miles.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: Blue, SE, SEL, and Limited
- Horsepower / Torque: 139 hp / 195 lb-ft
- Infotainment System: 8-inch or 10.25-inch display
- Cargo Space: 26.5 cubic feet
#2 2022 Toyota Prius (58 MPG)
Coming in second on our list is the 2022 Prius, a longtime leader in the segment. Starting at $24,625, the Prius is an outstanding value when you consider everything it has to offer, along with its remarkable efficiency. Its average fuel economy of 58 MPG in the city and 53 MPG on the highway keeps more of your hard-earned money in your wallet. In addition, the Prius’ available electronic all-wheel drive extends its capability, while its extensive suite of innovative connectivity, safety, and driver-assist features make it even more attractive.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited
- Horsepower / Torque: 121 hp / 120 lb-ft
- Infotainment System: 7-inch or 11.6-inch display
- Cargo Space: 50.7 cubic feet
#3 2022 Honda Insight (55 MPG)
The Civic and Accord established Honda’s reputation for building practical and efficient sedans. The 2022 Insight ushers that reputation into a new generation with its hybrid powertrain averaging 55 MPG in the city and 49 MPG on the highway. In addition, the Insight’s ECON and Sport mode finetune the sedan’s performance and efficiency. While ECON prioritizes efficiency, Sport mode delivers a more engaging experience behind the wheel. This custom performance, paired with the Insight’s expansive Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist features, makes the sedan’s starting price of $25,760 an exceptional deal.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: EX and Touring
- Horsepower / Torque: 151 hp / 197 lb-ft
- Infotainment System: 8-inch display
- Cargo Space: 15.1 cubic feet
#4 2022 Kia Niro (53 MPG)
Stylish, powerful, and incredibly affordable with a starting price of $24,690, the 2022 Kia Niro is a welcome addition to the hybrid segment. The Niro embodies Kia’s commitment to building modern and innovative vehicles that offer the latest technology and exceptional capability. In the Niro, this looks like a fuel economy of 53 MPG in the city and 48 MPG on the highway, 54.5 cubic feet of cargo space, an array of cutting-edge driver-assist features like Lane Keeping Assist, and premium touches like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and remote start.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: LX, LXS, LXS Special Edition, Touring, Touring Special Edition, and EX Premium
- Horsepower / Torque: 139 hp / 195 lb-ft
- Infotainment System: 8-inch or 10.25-inch display
- Cargo Space: 54.5 cubic feet
#5 2022 Ford Escape (44 MPG)
As a pioneer in the automotive industry, it’s no surprise that Ford makes our list. The 2022 Escape is an outstanding option if you’re looking for something larger than a sedan. Starting at $29,170, the compact SUV packs a heavy punch with its hybrid powertrain delivering 200 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. This power, however, isn’t mutually exclusive with efficiency as the Escape averages 44 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. Also, when you consider Ford’s stellar reputation in the industry and the hundreds of dealerships nationwide, you can navigate any road with confidence, knowing that Ford always has your back.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: SE, SEL, and Titanium
- Horsepower / Torque: 200 hp / 155 lb-ft
- Infotainment System: 8-inch display
- Cargo Space: 60.8 cubic feet
#6 2022 Toyota RAV4 (41 MPG)
Starting at $29,075, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is next on our list and is another excellent option if you’re looking for a spacious crossover. The RAV4 is a veteran in the Toyota lineup and continues to impress with its agile handling, versatile interior, and an array of intuitive technology that keeps you informed and connected wherever the road leads. More importantly, it’s also one of the most efficient hybrid SUVs in the segment with an average fuel economy of 41 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway, which means fewer stops for fuel and more time and money for your next adventure.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, SE, XSE, and Limited
- Horsepower / Torque: 219 hp
- Infotainment System: 7-inch or 9-inch display
- Cargo Space: 69.8 cubic feet
#7 2022 Honda CR-V (40 MPG)
America’s best-selling crossover for a decade, the 2022 CR-V Hybrid ushers the SUV into a new era of efficiency and innovation. Engineered to take you even further than before, the CR-V Hybrid delivers 212 horsepower and an average fuel economy of 40 MPG in the city. Since knowledge is power, Honda gives you all the information you need about the CR-V’s performance in the Hybrid Driver Information Interface, where you’ll see whether the engine, electric motor, or both are delivering power. Using this information, you can switch drive modes between ECON, Sport, and EV to prioritize efficiency or performance depending on the situation at hand.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: EX, EX-L, and Touring
- Horsepower / Torque: 212 hp / 232 lb-ft
- Infotainment System: 7-inch display
- Cargo Space: 68.7 cubic feet
#8 2022 Hyundai Tuscon (38 MPG)
Hyundai’s commitment to building a greener future is apparent in its entire hybrid lineup, which includes the sophisticated and spacious 2022 Tuscon. Starting at $29,350, the Tucscon blends elegance with capability and innovation both inside and out. It comes standard with Hyundai’s all-wheel-drive system that extends its capability and optimizes traction for every situation at hand. This capability, however, doesn’t sacrifice the Tuscon’s efficiency or power, with the hybrid delivering 226 horsepower and averaging up to 38 MPG.
Highlights:
- Trim Options: Blue, SEL Convenience, Limited
- Horsepower / Torque: 226 hp / 195 lb-ft
- Infotainment System: 8-inch or 10.25-inch display
- Cargo Space: 74.5 cubic feet
Fuel Crisis (Almost) Averted
Unless you’re ready to adopt an all-electric lifestyle and purchase an EV or a plug-in hybrid, it’s hard to avoid the gas station and soaring fuel prices that plague the nation. However, hybrids like the Hyundai IONIQ, Toyota Prius, Ford Escape, Honda Insight, and Toyota RAV4 are a great way to reduce the effects of the crisis, at least on your bank account. These models showcase the automotive industry’s progression to building a greener future and the reality that this future might come sooner than expected. Fortunately, that reality doesn’t require sacrificing capability, luxury, or modern innovation for affordability or efficiency. Instead, you can have it all even when faced with a crisis.
