Other hybrid vehicles
Chevrolet Volt
MSRP: $34,095
Despite the Volt’s eco image, it’s actually fun to drive, without the range anxiety of pure electric vehicles. Its gasoline-hybrid powertrain offers impressive all-electric range, greater efficiency, and better acceleration. The all-electric range is 53 miles; after that, the gas engine starts up to recharge the battery and keep you going. In our testing, we recorded 59 MPGe. There are five seats, but the middle rear seat is almost unusable. Charge times are 13 hours on 120V and 4.5 on 240V.
Hyundai Ioniq
MSRP: $30,385
Sharing its underpinnings with the Kia Niro, the Ioniq comes in many flavors. There’s a hybrid, an EV, and a plug-in version. The hybrid has a 104-hp gasoline engine, a 43-hp electric motor, and an EPA highway rating of 54 mpg — better than the Toyota Prius Eco’s 53. The EV gets a 118-hp electric motor and an estimated 124-mile range; a DC fast charger can recharge its battery to 80 percent in 23 minutes. The plug-in gets the gas engine, a 60-hp electric motor and 27 miles of electric-only range.
Toyota Prius Prime
MSRP: $27,995
Fans of efficient driving now have another option: the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid. Electric motors and a four-cylinder gas engine team with a larger battery than the regular Prius, yielding up to 25 miles of electric-only range; its 133 MPGe rating beats the Chevy Volt’s 106 MPGe. An 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard. Behind the wheel, the Prius Prime feels quite nimble, smoothly taking curves; its ride is compliant, too, and its steering is among the best, hybrid or not.
Ford C-Max
MSRP: $24,995
While comfortable and fun to drive, the C-Max’s high EPA-estimated fuel-economy numbers are basically fantasy. A 2.0-liter four, an AC electric motor, and a CVT combine for 188 hp; in our testing, the C-Max hybrid and the plug-in C-Max Energi each got only 33 MPGe on the highway. If a hybrid can’t top a gas-powered opponent’s fuel economy, then why bother? The Energi’s EV-only range of 20 miles is inadequate, too. That the C-Max drives much like a conventional hatchback furthers that point.