

Although minivans aren’t as popular as they used to be, some, such as the Chrysler Pacifica, are available as hybrids-and the Toyota Sienna is offered only as a hybrid. Mainstream family sedans like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Camry and Corolla also come in hybrid versions. Buyers can also opt for hybrid versions of popular SUVs, such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, and RAV4. There are many hybrids with prices starting around $25,000 and topping out around $30,000, such as the efficient Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius. The hybrid version starts around $31,000 in LE trim.) (The Toyota RAV4 LE, for example, starts around $28,000. Hybrid technology usually comes at a price: These cars typically cost $2,000 to $3,000 more than comparable conventional cars, although the difference in purchase price is often offset by fuel savings. You fill them up with gas at a regular gas station like a conventional car. They never need to be plugged in and are always ready to go. This way, hybrids get excellent gas mileage and are very low on emissions. And thanks to regenerative braking, hybrids are able to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost. Even for higher power demands, where the gas engine kicks in, the electric motor provides assistance and boosts overall efficiency. By combining a relatively small gasoline engine, an electric motor, and a battery pack, hybrids use electric-only propulsion at low speeds on light throttle. Hybrids provide the best of both worlds, teaming an electric motor with a gasoline engine. Plug-in hybrids give some all-electric miles before reverting to regular hybrid operation.Pure EVs tend to be expensive, but some qualify for federal income tax credits.Most car types-from small cars to pickup trucks-are available with some kind of electrification.Hybrid cars and SUVs are among the most reliable vehicle types.(For further insights, see Electric Cars 101.) In this buying guide, we’ll explain how these technologies work and provide the insights necessary to choose the model that will meet your needs and goals, based on our real-world, collective experience with all types of electrified vehicles. Hence, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each before choosing your next vehicle. But electrified vehicles-hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs-are different from gasoline models and come with their own set of compromises. According to a Consumer Reports study, EVs can cost less to fuel and are cheaper to repair and maintain than comparable gasoline-powered models. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) provide energy-efficient transportation while lowering emissions, diminishing noise, and reducing operating costs.
