Should your next big step be a hybrid and not an EV?

Here are a handful of hybrid vehicles to consider while waiting for EV batteries to improve and their charging infrastructure to scale up

Comedian Bill Burr joked that you could park a Toyota Prius in the middle of a riot and come back later to find it unharmed (and maybe even washed).

Such is the virtuous appeal of the wee sedan that ushered in the gas-electric hybrid era by marrying an assistive electric motor with a small gasoline engine to minimize fuel consumption.

The product of a thousand engineers and countless patents, the inaugural 1997 Prius was sold only in Japan. Exports began a few years later, although North Americans treated the innocuous sedan as they would a museum curiosity. The reception for the sleeker, secondgen hatchback was considerably warmer, and the nameplate soon became synonymous with greener driving. Although electric vehicles (EVs) are getting all the attention these days, there’s real benefit to taking a second look at hybrid cars.

For one thing, they’re less expensive. And because the hybrid battery recharges through regenerative braking, it never needs to be plugged in. Range anxiety is an affliction exclusive to EV drivers.

Many automotive experts recommend hybrids for now, until battery technology and the requisite infrastructure are scaled for mass adoption.

Here are five hybrid vehicles that literally sip gas and are relatively affordable. (Prices shown include delivery and mandatory fees.) It should be noted that these models still emit some greenhouse gases, of course.

Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE, $29,905

The world’s bestselling automobile gained a hybrid powertrain, yet retained a pretty accessible sticker price. Powering the Corolla Hybrid is an Atkinson-cycle, 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, gasoline engine, good for 134 horsepower and 156 pounds-feet of torque (motive force) when combined with the two electric motors and a lithiumion battery, which is tucked under the rear seat.

Acceleration remains leisurely at nine seconds to 97 km/h, but the fuel savings are undeniable: 4.4 litres/100 km in the city and 5.1l/100 km on the highway (64 miles per gallon and 55 mpg, respectively). There’s an all-wheel-drive version that uses slightly more fuel in return for more secure winter driving. Both use a durable, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) of Toyota’s own design.

Sold only as a four-door sedan, the Corolla Hybrid offers comfortable seats, a comfortable ride and a surprisingly quiet interior for a small car. Even at this price, Toyota provides a full suite of safety tech, including radar cruise control and lane departure warning. Let’s not forget the Corolla’s sterling reputation for long-term reliability, which is even better in hybrid form.

Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, $33,006

At first blush, you might wonder why buyers of the Elantra Hybrid are paying a big premium over a Toyota. Quite simply, you’re getting more sedan goodness for your money. The Elantra, restyled with a sleek new face for 2024, is a mid-size car, while the Corolla swims among the compacts.

Not only is the Elantra’s interior roomier, but the materials are more upscale and come with additional features. Hyundai pairs its hybrid powertrain with the “Luxury” trim package, so Elantra buyers get more stuff, such as a power sunroof and digital instruments. A futuristic dashboard wraps around the driver and the 10.25-inch touchscreen interface is intuitive and easy to use.

The 1.6-l, Atkinson-cycle, gas engine puts out 139 hp and 195 lbs.-ft. of torque when combined with the 43-hp, AC motor, and 1.32-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery. They work through a six-speed, dual-clutch, automatic transmission, which has been reasonably durable. The fastacting gearbox helps the hybrid accelerate to highway velocity in 8.4 seconds. Fuel economy is exemplary at 4.8 litres/100 km in the city and 4.5l/100 km on the highway.

Kia Niro LX, $33,283

In the quest for younger buyers, Kia packs a hybrid system into its Niro subcompact crossover SUV, which has been around since 2016. The second-generation model, arriving last year, brings bolder styling inside and out. To boost its eco cred, Kia used recycled and natural fibres sourced from eucalyptus leaves for the headliner (ceiling) and upholstery.

It isn’t the most spacious subcompact SUV, but it offers enough room for five and a cargo area big enough for weekend toys. Ambient interior lighting lends an upscale touch, and a rotary, shift knob replaces the usual, lever-style gear selector. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Niro only offers a front-wheel-drive configuration. If the combination of the Niro’s 139 hp and 195 lbs.-ft. of torque are familiar, to any degree, it’s because it borrows Hyundai’s drivetrain, although it uses a slightly smaller lithium-ion battery pack. Zero to 97 km/h comes up in 8.9 seconds, which is sleepier than some drivers might like. At least the fuel economy is above reproach at 4.5l/100 km in the city and 4.4l/100 km on the highway. There’s a plug-in hybrid Niro with a larger electric motor and battery that’s quicker, but more pricey.

Ford Maverick Hybrid, $35,295

Do you crave utility? By adopting a unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport SUVs, the Maverick compact pickup has become a hit for America’s truck-maker. While limited to a four-door configuration with a 4.5-foot bed in the back, it’s got enough capacity to make it a useful light-duty trucklet ideal for suburban families and even small businesses.

The Maverick’s hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder gas engine assisted by two electric motors and a 1.1-kWh, lithium-ion battery, for a combined 191 horsepower. The hybrid only comes with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission, yet offers 1,500 pounds (680 kg) of payload and 2,000 pounds (907 kg) of towing capacity, and has enough grunt to pull the truck to highway velocity in 7.7 seconds. Fuel economy is good: 5.8l/100 km in the city and 7.1l/km on the highway.

The “crew” cab brings four full-size doors and a roomy back seat, along with numerous storage cubbies throughout, including some useful space under the rear seat. In base trim, the Maverick is a little short of creature comforts, although an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Toyota Prius XLE AWD, $40,865

Some 25 years on, the ugly duckling Prius has been transformed into a sleek model that looks like it came from the set of “Blade Runner.” The Prius is both stylish and pretty fun to drive - zero to 97 km/h comes up in 7.1 seconds - all while achieving better fuel economy than ever before: 4.8 litres/100 km in the city and 4.7l/100 km on the highway.

The fifth-generation Prius uses a two-litre, four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors for a combined output of 196 hp working through a CVT automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Prius Prime plug-in model has a 10.9-kWh, lithium-ion battery that provides an all-electric driving range of up to 72 km before the gas engine kicks in.

The hatchback’s wedge profile comes at a price: the roofline is lower by five centimetres, shearing some headroom from the rear seat. The cargo hold is smaller, too, and rear visibility isn’t great due to the fastback design. Otherwise, the cabin is a great place to spend time; it’s quiet at speed. And the instrument cluster resides behind the steering wheel for the first time.

A wallflower no more, the Prius was named the North American Car of the Year in Detroit.