Best Hybrids for Students & New Drivers (9 Cars + SUVs)
If going electric isn’t yet an option, opting for a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle as a teenager or new driver (of any age) is ideal for its superior fuel economy.
These hybrid first cars get 25% to 50% more mileage than equivalent vehicles with a gas-only powertrain.
Best Hybrid Cars for Teens & Beginners
#1 Toyota Prius & Prius Prime (Compact Car)
As one of the earliest hybrid cars to hit the road, the Toyota Prius nameplate is synonymous with eco-friendliness in the automotive world.
It has all the hallmarks of an excellent first car for beginners and those after an economical city runabout.
The most efficient compact vehicles with non-hybrid, internal combustion engines typically return around 30 mpg combined. Still, the Prius gets an astonishing 50-plus mpg – the plug-in version is almost as efficient.
Even a decade-old Prius can manage 50 mpg, so you aren’t limited to the costlier newer models with a smaller budget.
If you opt for the plug-in Prius Prime, you get 25 miles of electric-only drive on a full charge, so short daily college commutes may mean skipping visits to the pump entirely.
Toyota Prius’s other first-car qualities include:
- Good visibility – plenty of glass area all around and slim roof pillars.
- Easy to drive – its acceleration is decidedly tepid for its purpose, but the steering is well-weighted and feels reasonably agile around town with its small turning radius.
- Comfortable cabin – a welcome bonus in an efficient everyday vehicle.
Plus, its decades-long production run means you can purchase a used Prius inexpensively – a ten-year-old Prius costs under $12,000 and a fifteen-year-old one below 8,500.
And if all-wheel drive is necessary for added grip in your region, AWD Priuses have been available since 2019.
#2 Honda Insight (Compact Car)
The Honda Insight is a hybrid car of two distinct forms separated by gen-two (ended in 2014) and gen-three (introduced in 2019).
If the hatchback body style with broader cargo versatility appeals, the earlier models are an excellent buy, returning a respectable 40-plus mpg overall.
The hatchback is a mild hybrid, so it can’t propel itself solely on electricity.
But if you want Insight the sedan, the newer iteration is the go-to choice, partly owing to its improved over-50-mpg combined mileage.
While the Insight hatchback drives more like a slowish conventional hybrid, the sedan version packs more punch when accelerating from a standstill.
Still, both body styles are strong candidates for a college student’s first car, not least because they are inexpensive yet frugal vehicles:
- Good visibility – aids ease of driving.
- Roomy cabin – plus, Hondas typically have a well-thought-out interior.
- Relatively good handling dynamics – well-calibrated steering and a firm-but-not-uncomfortable suspension.
If a used Insight fits your budget better, opt for the second-generation Insight hatchback, as you can find one for less than $15k.
#3 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Compact Car)
While any hybrid will save on fuel costs, a Hyundai will give you the most bang for your money with its industry-leading warranty and abundant features.
The Ioniq hybrid debuted in 2017 and the plug-in hybrid a year later, and the difference in their fuel economy is a mere 2-3 mpg overall – the former gives you mid-50s-mpg while the latter less.
Engine power isn’t a strong suit like most hybrids, but you get excellent gas mileage and increased cargo-carrying ability with the Ioniq’s hatchback body – around 25 cubic ft. behind the rear seats.
You can choose the plug-in hybrid Ioniq if you desire an all-electric range of close to 30 miles when fully charged, so you don’t need to spend on fuel when driving short distances.
You need to spend $2k-$3k more for the plug-in model, but it’s worth the investment if all you do is college commute and weekly grocery shopping.
If Hyundai’s value for money and the sedan body style appeal, the Korean carmaker has the Elantra Hybrid sedan; it doesn’t sacrifice much in fuel economy (near-50-mpg overall), and its compact dimensions will suit young and new drivers alike.
#4 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (Compact Car)
The Corolla is a famous nameplate among budget-conscious teenagers and first-car shoppers.
Unsurprisingly, the Japanese marque started producing a hybrid version of its best-selling gas-engine compact sedan in 2020; the result is a $3k-$4k higher price tag but some 20-mpg more in fuel economy.
Aside from the impressive fuel economy, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid has:
- Many standard driver aids and safety features.
- Smooth ride quality and a comfortable, thoughtfully designed cabin.
- Compactness that aids ease of driving and parking for beginners.
Considering the high fuel prices, a Corolla Hybrid makes perfect sense if you’re shopping for a new first car and the Corolla’s long-standing durability and low running costs attract.
If you don’t like the Prius’s hatchback body, the Corolla Hybrid is an excellent substitute worth exploring.
#5 Honda Clarity (Compact Plug-In Hybrid)
Although it has a short presence in the American market (discontinued after 2021), the Honda Clarity remains a strong option in the midsize hybrid sedan segment.
Its low-40s-mpg fuel economy matches the Honda Accord Hybrid and is slightly less than the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Clarity’s quiet, comfortable, roomy cabin and expansive outward visibility are massive pluses that new drivers needing a midsize sedan can appreciate.
If you live in California, where there is a relatively substantial hydrogen infrastructure, the fuel cell Honda Clarity is a compelling option.
It returns a 68-mpg-equivalent combined, although the higher-than-most-hybrids price tag limits its pool of potential first-time buyers.
Best Hybrid SUVs for Students & New Drivers
#6 Kia Niro Hybrid & Plug-In Hybrid (Compact Crossover)
While crossovers combine an SUV’s ride height and a car’s driving dynamics, the Kia Niro blurs the segment divide, straddling the line between hatchbacks and extra-small crossovers.
Considering the near-$25k price tag brand-new and 50-mpg combined fuel economy, the Kia Niro Hybrid makes a compelling purchase for teenage drivers preferring an extra-small SUV as their first car.
It isn’t as efficient as the Toyota Prius (only 5-6 mpg differentiates them). Still, the Kia Niro’s lower starting price, longer warranty coverage, and elevated seating position will keep many budget-minded young drivers happy.
Opting for a Kia Niro for your first car isn’t entirely about economy:
- Nimble handling and easy to drive around town and maneuver in tight spaces.
- Good overall ride comfort.
- Easy visibility.
- Roomy interior.
A pioneering 2017 standard Niro model can save you a cool $10k, costing under $15,000 while managing an appreciably frugal 49-mpg combined.
But if you have a $30k budget, the plug-in hybrid version allows you 26 miles of electric-only range, ideal for college students making shorter daily commutes.
#7 Subaru Crosstrek Plug-In Hybrid (Compact SUV)
Most Subaru vehicles come with all-wheel-drive, except for the BRZ sports coupe, and this Japanese brand is a good place to start if you want an AWD first car.
But as more automakers offer entry-level SUVs with all-wheel propulsion, the allure of owning a Subaru is less than before.
Still, the Crosstrek plug-in hybrid is worth considering if you like its enhanced off-road capability compared to rivals.
The versatile hatchback-like body and extra-small dimensions will suit young drivers wanting an easy-to-park vehicle and high ground clearance for the occasional outdoor adventure.
The Crosstrek’s plug-in hybrid powertrain means you get an all-electric range – 17 miles isn’t much, but it works for a short house-to-college travel.
However, its higher price tag may make standard hybrid SUVs, like the following two models on this list, more appealing if you can do without the electricity-only range.
#8 Honda CR-V Hybrid (Compact SUV)
The gas-powered Honda CR-V is wildly popular and one of the best-selling SUVs across all size categories.
Opting for the CR-V Hybrid nets you all the first-car strengths of the standard gas model but with enhanced fuel efficiency:
- Standard all-wheel-drive.
- Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
- Near-40-mpg combined fuel economy – the gas-engine CR-V of the corresponding model year clocks 5-8 mpg less.
- Smooth and easy-to-drive hybrid powertrain.
- Roomy passenger space – enough legroom for taller occupants.
- High cargo capacity – 33 cubic feet; slightly less than its Toyota rival and standard gas CR-V, but the rear seats can fold for increased volume.
If you value Honda’s renowned build quality and desire a hybrid SUV for your first car, the hybridized CR-V is a no-brainer.
#9 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid & RAV4 Prime PHEV (Compact SUV)
With a starting price of just under $30,000 and all-wheel drive, it is unsurprising that the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid features highly on new drivers’ shopping list.
New drivers will find the RAV4 an all-rounded SUV for their first car:
- Up to 40-mpg combined in hybrid mode, depending on the model year.
- Spacious cabin that’s easy to get in and out.
- Easy to see out with the high seating position.
- All-wheel drive for enhanced traction in sketchy weather conditions.
- Cavernous cargo area – one of the largest among compact hybrid SUVs.
The RAV4 Hybrid enjoys a 10-mpg advantage over the standard gas model.
Suppose the $40k price tag isn’t a deterrent; the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid’s over 40 miles of electric-only range opens up a real possibility of doing away with gas altogether, provided you recharge daily.
You still get above 30-mpg combined when the gas engine kicks in, so the Prime is frugal either way.
Crucially, the RAV4 Prime is eligible for a tax credit, so check the most current schemes before buying.
References:
https://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale
