The Cheapest Hybrid Cars To Buy In 2025 Are Under $15,000

Those weekly trips to the gas station can become quite burdensome on your wallet over time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spent $2,449 a year on gas in 2023, which effectively amounts to just over $200 a month. With gas prices set to increase, thanks to new tariffs in 2025, it could be more important than ever to pay attention to your gas mileage. While the price of gas in the U.S. is not something you can realistically control , the type of car you drive is. If you're considering purchasing one that is more fuel efficient, one of the best solutions is to acquire a hybrid. This class of vehicles is highly fuel efficient by design and largely inexpensive to maintain. 

You don't need to worry too much about the up-front costs that come with buying a hybrid either since there are a number of cost efficient and highly rated models that won't force you to dip into your emergency fund. For example, according to U.S. News & World Report, the top four used hybrid vehicles in 2025 are all under $15,000: the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid, and the 2010 Toyota Prius.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a compact, four door hybrid sedan that gets an impressive combined 37 miles per gallon. When fully charged, it can drive a total of 35 miles on power from its lithium-ion battery. When the battery becomes depleted, the gas engine takes over, allowing it to drive another 344 miles on a full tank. It was voted as the best hybrid vehicle of 2011 by U.S. News & World Report, and received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As of May 2025, U.S. News & World Report lists the average sale price of this vehicle at $4,745, although Kelley Blue Book lists a national average price of $6,434. The cost of this vehicle can vary depending on factors such as condition and mileage.

If you're looking for a hybrid that is a bit more spacious, the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is a great option. This affordable mid-sized hybrid sedan is listed at an average sale price of between $4,000 and $5,300 according to Kelley Blue Book. It has outstanding fuel efficiency, capable of getting anywhere between 36 and 41 miles per gallon, and was voted as a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2010. It also won the car category for the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards for the same year.

The 2010 Mercury Milan hybrid is a four door, mid-sized hybrid sedan with a strikingly similar appearance to that of the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid. It was also an IIHS top safety pick for 2010, making it a great vehicle for families. It has a very spacious interior and is listed at an average price of about $4,700 by U.S. News & World Report. You'll also find yourself taking far less frequent trips to the gas station by owning this vehicle, as it is capable of getting between 36 and 41 miles per gallon.

The 2010 Toyota Prius is the most expensive option compared to the previous three, but also the most fuel efficient. It is capable of achieving a combined total of 50 miles per gallon, and is listed at a national average sale price of around $8,000 according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. But again, prices can vary based on mileage and condition. For example, it is possible to purchase a 2010 Prius for under $5,000, but at this price it is likely going to have over 200,000 miles on its odometer. This model also received a top safety rating by IIHS and was deemed the Best Compact Car of 2010 by J.D. Power.