Cheapest new hybrids under $30,000? Honda Civic makes the cut

Looking for a cheap car that doesn't feel cheap yet has a cheaper cost of ownership than any other cheap car? The cheapest cheap car is a hybrid, and it should be no surprise it's a Toyota. With a Toyota Corolla Hybrid and its 50 mpg combined, the EPA estimates that you can save $3,250 in fuel costs over five years compared to a similarly-equipped non-hybrid Corolla, which still gets an efficient 35-mpg combined rating.

Even though Toyota is the undisputed leader in hybrid powertrains, with more than 25 years of experience selling hybrids in North America, other automakers have expanded their inexpensive hybrid offerings from small sedans to everything from hatchbacks to pickup trucks. By inexpensive, we mean costing less than $30,000 with the mandatory destination fee.

There's only one new car sold for less than $20,000 in 2025, and that's the Nissan Versa for $18,330. It might be on borrowed time, but we still count a warm and fluffy baker's dozen of new cars costing less than $25,000 on our cheapest 2025 cars. Only the Corolla Hybrid doubles up on both of our cheap lists. 

Not only do these hybrid models have a lower cost of ownership than gas-only counterparts, they all come equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and active lane control. 

Here's a rundown of the cheapest hybrids, and how they measure up in size, fuel economy, features, and value. All prices listed include the mandatory destination charge. 

2025 Toyota Corolla sedan ($24,760)

• Fuel economy: The EPA rates the Corolla Hybrid LE and XLE at 53 mpg city, 46 highway, and 50 combined. The all-wheel-drive version checks in at 51/44/48 mpg. The better equipped SE with bigger wheels rates 50/43/47 mpg.
• Price range and trims: Corolla Hybrid is sold in base LE ($24,760), SE ($27,200), and top XLE ($29,125). 
• Powertrain: It has a 138-hp 1.8-liter inline-4 with two electric motors and front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive with a third motor powering the rear axle for an extra $1,400 (not available on XLE). 
• Passenger and cargo space: It has five seats but it's tight in the back seat with less than 35 inches of rear legroom. The trunk holds 13.1 cubic feet of space. The rear seats fold down but don't go completely flat due to the battery pack under the rear seat bottoms. 
• Standard standout features: When Toyota redesigned the Prius for 2023, the Corolla became the new basic hybrid in Toyota's vast hybrid family. But Toyota loads it with features such as adaptive cruise control and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Available AWD is a rare trick in this class, too.  

2025 Ford Maverick pickup truck ($27,890)

• Fuel economy: 42 mpg city, 33 highway, 37 combined; gas model rates at 23/30/26 mpg.
• Price range and trims: Maverick Hybrid XL costs $27,890, XLT costs $30,390, Lariat at $38,330; gas-only models could also be had in Tremor and Lobo trims. 
• Powertrain: Maverick hybrid system with a 2.5-liter inline-4 and an electric motor makes 191 hp and 155 lb-ft; front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is an option. 
• Passenger and cargo space: Seats five passengers but rear legroom of 35 inches can be tight; tons of interior storage spaces, including the 4.5-foot bed. 
• Standard standout features: 37 mpg combined,17-inch steel wheels, 4.5-foot bed, 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control.

2025 Kia Niro hatchback ($28,365)

• Fuel economy: EPA rates the base Niro LX and its small 16-inch wheels at 53/54/53 mpg, while better equipped models come in at 53/45/49 mpg.
• Price range and trims: Sold in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, the 2025 Niro Hybrid LX starts the bidding at $28,365. It also includes includes EX ($31,165), EX Touring ($33,465), SX (34,365), and SX Touring ($35,390) grades. The Niro PHEV EX costs $35,865, while the SX tops out at $42,165.
• Powertrain and fuel economy: The Niro Hybrid uses a 139-hp 1.6-liter inline-4 and 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with an integrated electric motor. It's front-wheel drive only.  
• Passenger and cargo space: The hatchback fits people and their gear better than rival compact sedans. The 60:40-split rear seats fold down to expand the cargo hold from 22.8 to 63.7 cubic feet. 
• Standard standout features: An 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. 

2024 Toyota Prius hatchback ($29,085)

• Fuel economy: EPA-rated at 57 mpg combined, or 54 mpg combined with AWD; top XLE and LTD models rate at 52 or 49 mpg combined with AWD; Prius Prime plug-in hybrid has 45 miles of electric range of 52 mpg after the battery is depleted. 
• Price range and trims: Prius is sold in base LE ($29,085), XLE ($32,530), and Limited ($36,090); all-wheel drive costs $1,400 more. 
• Powertrain: 194-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 with two electric motors and front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive with a third motor powering the rear axle for total output of 196 hp. 
• Passenger and cargo space: Going from a clog to a wedge design in 2023, the new Prius traded style for space. It has five seats, but is more cramped than the Corolla due to limited headroom front and rear. The hatch holds up to 23.8 cubic feet.   
• Standard standout features: Reputation-changing design, 57 mpg, available AWD, 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

2024 Toyota Corolla Cross crossover ($29,570)

• Fuel economy: The EPA rates the base Corolla Cross Hybrid at 45 mpg city, 38 highway, and 42 combined. All-wheel drive is standard. 
• Price range and trims: Corolla Cross Hybrid sold in base Hybrid S ($29,570), SE ($30,890), Nightshade ($31,815), and top XSE ($32,755). 
• Powertrain: It has a 2.0-liter inline-4 with three electric motors and standard all-wheel drive with an output rated at 196 hp and 152 lb-ft. It's also sold with a 150-hp gas-only 2.0-liter inline-4. 
• Passenger and cargo space: Shorter and smaller than the RAV4, the Corolla Cross acts like a big hatchback, with seats for five but comfort for four, and 21.6 cubic feet of space that expands to up to 61.8 cubic feet with the rear seats down. 
• Standard standout features: Loaded with standard safety features including adaptive cruise control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan ($29,845) and hatchback ($31,045)

• Fuel economy: The EPA rates the regular Civic at 32/41/36 mpg, which is pretty good, but the hybrid model new for 2025 rates at 50 mpg city, 47 highway, and 49 combined. The Civic Hybrid hatchback rates at 48 mpg combined. 
• Price range and trims: Honda Civic Hybrid sedan sold in Sport Hybrid ($29,845) and Sport Hybrid Touring ($32,845); the hatchback costs $1,200 more.  
• Powertrain: Honda takes the base 2.0-liter inline-4 and adds two electric motors to generate 200 hp and 232 lb-ft in hybrid models. They're front-wheel drive only.  
• Passenger and cargo space: Honda makes its cars big in North America, and the Civic Hybrid's 37.4 inches of rear legroom is larger than some small crossovers. It seats four in comfort, or five in a pinch. The sedan has 14.8 cubic feet in the trunk, same as the non-hybrid—but the hatchback buys extra space to 24.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. 
• Standard standout features: The base Civic Hybrid has adaptive cruise control, and a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster and 7.0-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.